-By Onadeko, Damilola Edward, ACArb.
My first official IFTAH as a public office holder was not merely an event; it was a living parable, a moment that carved itself deeply into the soul of my memory.
This historic evening was made possible by my Principal, *Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo* , the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, whose leadership fuses discipline with compassion, and whose governance embodies vision anchored in humanity.
The evening of the first day of the fast, Wednesday, 18th February 2026, was profoundly symbolic. It coincided with the opening of the 2026 Lenten season, a rare confluence where Ramadan’s discipline met Lent’s solemnity – two rivers of devotion merging into a single ocean of reflection. Selah.
It was as though the heavens themselves conspired to remind us that the fasting of the body can awaken the hunger of the soul. When the announcement of “Movement” filtered from the office of the Executive Chairman, it carried an unusual rhythm.
The hour had passed six in the evening, yet our office was rarely so quick to empty. Ordinarily, we closed much later, sometimes after 8 p.m., sometimes as late as 9 p.m.
My Principal is a workaholic of the noblest kind. He labours with the meticulous precision of a master craftsman, driven by duty, sustained by persistence, and animated by the quiet fire of purpose.
The evening was a canvas, and he had painted it with care, forethought, and an eye for dignity. Upon arrival at his residence, the IFTAH was set like a stage for communion.
Bowls of assorted fruits shone like gems of nature, radiant and carefully arranged. The seating arrangements exuded order and harmony, a subtle choreography of inclusion and respect.
The ambience was serene yet vibrant, a sanctuary for fellowship, contemplation, and unity – a place where the human spirit could feel truly at home.
The Executive Chairman did not only host the highly revered; he opened his table and heart to the vulnerable, the overlooked, and the voiceless in the community.
Men and women, Christians and Muslims alike, thronged his residence on the said evening, their faces radiant with joy and gladness, like sunlight piercing clouds after a storm.
In that sacred gathering, status and titles dissolved, leaving only shared humanity, hope, and celebration, a living testament that true leadership lifts all, from the esteemed to the humble, into the warmth and dignity of inclusion.
Stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ejigbo LCDA filled the space with visible delight, transforming the gathering into a civic celebration rather than a private ritual. Yet amidst the ceremony and the crowd, a quiet epiphany stirred within me.
I was about to break my fast with my Muslim Principal, a man of broad mind and constitutional fidelity, living the spirit and letters of Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered).
In that moment, seated at the IFTAH table, the emptiness of religious hostility became painfully clear.
Those who claim to fight for God do not truly serve Him; they battle blindly, driven by greed and self-interest. The true struggle is not between faiths, but within the human heart itself.
Deeper meaning emerged as Christian women and men joined the Executive Chairman in commemorating the maiden IFTAH of Ramadan 2026.
There were no walls of doctrine, no banners of exclusion, only shared charity, mutual respect, and collective hope. Many lamps, one flame.
Many voices, one chorus. A living metaphor of unity in diversity. The evening’s significance finds resonance in the Scriptures, which call believers to rise above division and pursue peace: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
“Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).
In that shared meal, faith did not divide us; it dignified us. Righteousness revealed itself not in hostility or zealotry, but in quiet love enacted through presence and fellowship.
IFTAH, as we experienced it, was neither fetish nor vague. It was intentional, symbolic, and profound. It proclaimed love over hatred, unity over division, constitutionalism over fanaticism.
It was inspiring to see Hon. Mrs. Abimbola Nicholas-Ike, the Vice Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, an exceptional woman and devoted Christian, respectfully clad in a hijab-like attire while attending the Iftah/Ramadan lecture this evening. This beautifully underscores the power of love and peaceful coexistence.
It demonstrated that leadership can be humane, governance can be inclusive, and faith can be a bridge rather than a wall. Everyone who professes to worship God Almighty must fully embrace this profound truth: Ubi concordia, ibi victoria, where unity reigns, victory follows.
True victory is never achieved in isolation; it is forged in the crucible of love, fellowship, and mutual respect. Just as a single thread snaps under tension while countless interwoven threads form an unbreakable tapestry, so too the children of God find strength, resilience, and triumph when bound together in unity.
It is only when one truly and unconditionally loves their neighbor, regardless of creed, background, or social station, that one can manifest authentic love for God.
And conversely, to love God genuinely is to extend that love outward, for no heart can embrace the Divine while sowing division among His children.
Love is the loom upon which unity is woven; without it, even the noblest intentions unravel.
With it, hearts are bound, communities flourish, and the spirit of victory rises like the morning sun over a horizon once clouded by discord. Thus, my first official IFTAH was more than a meal at sunset.
It was a parable written in flesh and spirit, a lesson in coexistence, a testimony of leadership by example, and a declaration that in Ejigbo LCDA, unity is not merely preached, it is lived.
It was a moment where dusk became golden, bread became sacred, and hearts beat in unison across faiths, calling us to the higher art of humanity.