Hamzat’s Lagos Promise Aligns with MGDLI’s Vision for Safer, Healthier Faith Communities, Says Hakeem Bello
The Lagos Promise, the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has outlined policy commitments that align with the Mosque Guidance and Development Lagos Initiative’s (MGDLI) advocacy for safer, healthier and better-governed faith communities, the Chairman of the organisation’s Anniversary Planning Committee, Alhaji Hakeem Bello, FNGE, has said.
Bello made the observation while delivering his closing remarks at MGDLI’s three-day anniversary programme, where he highlighted areas of convergence between the initiative’s objectives and Hamzat’s proposed policies on healthcare, environmental sanitation, emergency preparedness and community safety.
He said the manifesto’s commitments offered opportunities for stronger collaboration between government and faith-based institutions in advancing community development and improving the welfare of residents.
According to Bello, Hamzat’s Our Health, Our Dignity agenda, which proposes expanded primary healthcare, wider health-insurance coverage and increased screening for non-communicable diseases, aligns with MGDLI’s community medical outreach and its commitment to promoting healthier mosque communities.
He also cited the Clean Ground Promise, which focuses on improved waste collection, drainage and environmental resilience, as reflecting the initiative’s emphasis on environmental hygiene and cleaner mosque surroundings.
The MGDLI committee chairman further identified the manifesto’s proposals to strengthen fire, rescue and ambulance services, community preparedness and emergency drills as relevant to the organisation’s advocacy for first aid training and emergency preparedness within mosques.
He particularly welcomed the Safe Communities programme, which envisages extending preventive safety initiatives to schools, markets, motor parks and faith communities.
Bello said these policy directions reinforced the importance of recognising mosques and other faith-based institutions as strategic partners in building a safer, healthier and more inclusive Lagos.
He, however, stressed that the ultimate responsibility for translating policy commitments into tangible benefits rested on sustained collaboration among government, religious institutions, professionals and community stakeholders.
The political dimension of Bello’s remarks formed part of his closing address at the MGDLI anniversary programme, themed around strengthening mosque governance, documentation, accountability and institutional sustainability.
He said the three-day event had demonstrated that mosque development extended beyond physical infrastructure to include healthcare, environmental sanitation, financial accountability, proper documentation and responsible administration.
Bello also commended Hamzat’s policy direction for recognising preventive safety and community-based initiatives, expressing hope that faith communities would receive greater attention in the implementation of policies aimed at improving residents’ welfare.
He maintained that MGDLI’s anniversary would be judged not merely by the success of the event but by the practical changes it inspired in mosque administration and community development.
The programme featured a community medical outreach, first aid training, environmental hygiene activities and discussions on Islamic governance and sustainable mosque management.
Bello attributed the success of the anniversary to the collective efforts of the organisation’s leadership, planning committee, Islamic scholars, professionals, partners and volunteers, while expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful completion of the programme.
