The Iperu Indigenes Forum has extended warm felicitations to Christians and Muslims in Iperu and across Nigeria on the commencement of the sacred seasons of Lent and Ramadan.

In a statement jointly signed by the Convener, Prince Ladi OLABINJO; the Administrators, High Chief Ifasola Saheed OPEODU, the Oluwo of Iperu; and Otunba Adebayo SALAMI; and the Media Officer, Temitope OYEKAN; the Forum described the simultaneous observance of Lent and Ramadan this year as profoundly symbolic and spiritually significant.

The Forum noted that Lent, observed by Christians as a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, charity, and repentance, commemorates the sacrifice, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Holy Bible. It is a solemn season of reflection, self-denial, and spiritual renewal, calling believers to deeper obedience to the teachings of Christ, love for humanity, and steadfast faith in God.

Similarly, Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period of fasting (Sawm), prayer (Salat), almsgiving (Zakat), and devotion to Allah as prescribed in the Holy Qur’an. It is a time for heightened consciousness of Allah (Taqwa), discipline, compassion for the less privileged, and total submission to the will of the Almighty.

The Forum emphasized that both religious rites share core spiritual values of sacrifice, self-restraint, repentance, generosity, and renewed commitment to righteous living. The concurrence of these holy seasons underscores the unity of purpose among the two great faiths in promoting moral rectitude, peaceful coexistence, and devotion to God.

The Iperu Indigenes Forum therefore counselled adherents of both faiths to embrace the true purpose of the season by adhering strictly to the injunctions of the Holy Scriptures, the Bible and the Qur’an, which call for sincerity in worship, integrity in conduct, forgiveness, love of neighbour, and justice in dealings with others.

It urged Christians and Muslims not to reduce the sacred observances to mere rituals, but to allow the spiritual discipline of fasting and prayer to transform their character and daily conduct. Believers are encouraged to live exemplary lives that reflect humility, compassion, honesty, and peace, not only during Lent and Ramadan but beyond the seasons.

The statement further called on faithful adherents to intensify prayers for the peace, unity, and progress of Iperu, Ogun State, and Nigeria at large, especially at a time when moral and social renewal is greatly needed.

The Iperu Indigenes Forum prayed that God, in the spirit of the season, will graciously accept their acts of worship as true ibadah, accept their prayers and supplications, forgive their shortcomings, and grant them their heart desires according to His divine will.

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inter-faith harmony, mutual respect, and communal development, while encouraging all residents of Iperu to use this sacred period as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of unity and shared humanity

*Temitope OYEKAN* 

Media Officer

Iperu Indigenes Forum

18th February, 2026