Date: 2016-10-03

As Muslims across the world celebrate Hijrah, the New Islamic Calendar Year, Nigerians have been charged to forsake unwholesome ways and manners by embracing positive change for the growth and development of the society.

The Director, University of Ilorin Counselling and Human Development Centre, Doctor Abdulrasaq Olayinka Oniye, said this in a telephone interview with journalists in Ilorin.

Oniye who is an Associate Professor of Educational Guidance and Counselling, said Hijrah means migration from one place to another but contextually it means migrating from bad ways to good ones.

According to him, hijrah was for the adherents of Islam to move from wrongdoings to righteousness to seek for Allah's mercies and bounties.

Oniye said " Hijrah means migration from one place to another but contextually it means migrating from bad ways to good ones. Specifically in the spirit of change mantra of this Government we all must learn to forsake our unwholesome ways and manners and embrace positive change for our individual well being and those of the society in general".

The associate professor said prevalence of sinful acts and injustice was responsible for the current hardship in the country and cautioned against indulging in immoral behaviours.

Oniye, a marriage and family counselling specialist, charged parents to inculcate in their children the spirit of moderation, sincerity of purpose and obedience to rules and regulations guiding inter and intra personal relationship.

The don said " we as parents must inculcate in our children the spirit of moderation, sincerity of purpose and obedience to rules and regulations guiding our inter and intra personal relationship. Due to on going recession we must all learn to live within our meager resources avoid all forms of extravagance or wastefulness".

On economic recession, he said due to the on going hardship, Nigerians must learn to live within their meager resources by avoiding all forms of extravagance or wastefulness.