as Aliwo Royal Family Holds 5th Annual Ramadan Lecture
The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, who also served as the chairman of the 2026 Ile Alfa Sons and Daughters, Ramadan lecture, Professor Musibau Babatunde, said that the future of every home lies with the mother.
Speaking further at the 5th Ramadan Lecture of the royal family held on Sunday at Aliwo Royal Arcade, Agbo-Ile Aliwo, Ibadan, the SSG emphasized the importance of proper pre-marriage practices in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
He noted that a thorough investigation of prospective families before marriage, once a standard practice, ensured strong and lasting unions.
“Today, many parents have neglected this duty. We now prioritize ceremonies, clothes, and celebrations over understanding the character and background of the families our children are about to marry,” Professor Babatunde said.
He urged men to take responsibility in marriage, noting that fulfilling family needs carries rewards on the Day of Judgment. He also advised parents to understand the personality and background of their children’s future spouses, as this could help prevent challenges such as single parenting.
The SSG further commended widows and widowers who remarried, highlighting Islam’s encouragement of remarriage to strengthen families.
Professor Babatunde called on women to remain respectful and supportive of their husbands beyond the Ramadan period and advised husbands to guide their wives according to the teachings of Allah.
He stressed that love, contentment, and the fear of Allah are key to a successful marriage. Reflecting on his upbringing, he credited his first Arabic school for shaping his life and urged Muslims to raise their children according to Islamic principles, including learning the Qur’an.
The guest lecturer, Sheikh Abdulwahab Hashim Atere, outlined three key ways to avoid single parenting.
He said peace of mind is essential, warning that marriages fail when spouses lose inner peace or seek it outside the home. Love, he added, must be sustained despite challenges, helping couples remain patient and overcome difficulties.
Sheikh Hashim emphasized that both partners must be considerate, compassionate, and supportive of each other.
He called on parents to guide their children about marriage to prepare them for responsible family life.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Rasheed Adekunle Fasasi recalled that the Aliwo family inaugurated its Annual Ramadan Lecture in 2022 during the reign of Oba Dr. Senator Moshood Olalekan Balogun Alli-Okunmade II as Olubadan.
Dr. Fasasi said that over the years, the lecture series has explored themes such as kinship in Islam, destiny, Ruqyah, and challenges faced by people of God. He noted that this year’s edition focused on “The Causes and Dangers of Single Parenting in Our Society: Islamic Perspective and Solutions.”
He explained that the programme was dedicated to departed family members, describing it as Sadakotul Jariyah, and praised Almighty Allah for blessing the Aliwo family with remarkable achievements, including producing an Olubadan, two senators, and other political officeholders.
He also thanked family members and well-wishers for ensuring the success of the programme.
In his goodwill message, the former Head of Service, Oyo State , Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, highlighted the Aliwo family as a model of Islamic devotion. He noted that their consistent dedication has strengthened community bonds and enabled impactful religious programmes.
Alhaji Aremu urged parents to encourage their children to emulate these values, especially during Ramadan, which he described as a period of reflection, learning, and spiritual growth.
He stressed that prioritizing Islamic teachings in raising children would create a society that is peaceful, respectful, and prosperous.
