As Muslims and Christians across the world commenced Ramadan and Lent on the same day February 18, 2026, a unique gesture of interfaith unity is unfolding in Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency of Lagos State.
Hon. Francis Barthlomew Omowale Chima, popularly known as OmoBarca, has opened his home to both Muslim and Christian faithful to break their fast together daily throughout the fasting season. This is a symbolic act aimed at promoting peace, love, and religious harmony in one of Lagos’ most vibrant communities.
Since 2015, OmoBarca has consistently organized free daily iftar meals for Muslim faithful during Ramadan in Ajeromi Ifelodun. What began as a modest outreach has grown into a well-recognized annual intervention that supports hundreds of families during the holy month.
Under the initiative themed “Break Your Fast With Us,” Muslim residents gather each evening to share meals provided at no cost, easing the burden of daily feeding during the fasting period.
The 2026 edition continues that tradition, with daily Ramadan and Lenten break-fast sessions scheduled as follows:
Venue: 79 MBA Street, Oregie, Ajegunle (OmoBarca House)
Time: 6:00 PM daily
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, until the end of the fasting period
The invitation is open to all, with organizers emphasizing inclusivity and community bonding.
Beyond daily Ramadan feeding, OmoBarca’s philanthropy toward the Muslim community extends even further. Since 2015, he has sponsored Muslim faithfuls from the constituency to perform the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia — one of Islam’s most sacred obligations.
Over the years, beneficiaries have described the sponsorship as life-changing, noting that the financial demands of Hajj make it inaccessible to many low-income families. His continued sponsorship has positioned him as one of the few Christian political figures in the area to consistently support Islamic religious obligations.
“I celebrate every religion Islam, Christianity, and traditional faiths. I support all and do what God gives me the power to do. During Ramadan, I slaughter one cow each day for 30 days so people can eat. From 2015 to 2025, I’ve sponsored between eight and seventeen people each year to Hajj.” OmoBarca says.
Despite his extensive support for Muslim causes, OmoBarca is himself a devout Christian. However, associates and community leaders describe him as a strong advocate for peaceful coexistence between Christianity and Islam.
His philosophy, according to close aides, is rooted in the belief that religion should unite rather than divide communities.
This year’s overlap of Ramadan and Lent, both sacred seasons marked by fasting, prayer, repentance, and charity presented what he calls a “divine opportunity” to deepen interfaith bonds.
“Fasting is about sacrifice, reflection, and love,” a member of his organizing committee said. “What better way to demonstrate that love than to bring both faiths together at one table?”
The coincidence of Ramadan and Lent beginning on the same day is relatively rare, given that the Islamic calendar is lunar while the Christian liturgical calendar follows a different system. The 2026 alignment has therefore been widely seen as symbolically significant.
By inviting both Muslim and Christian faithfuls to break their fast together daily at his residence, OmoBarca is sending a message that transcends politics. It is centered on unity, tolerance, and shared humanity.
Though a political figure, OmoBarca’s Ramadan and Hajj initiatives have often been framed as humanitarian rather than partisan efforts. Supporters argue that his sustained commitment since 2011 demonstrates consistency rather than seasonal generosity.
As the fasting season progresses, his home at 79 MBA Street is expected to become a daily hub of prayer, reflection, and fellowship.
In a constituency as diverse as Ajeromi Ifelodun, where Muslims and Christians live side by side, the gesture carries symbolic weight. At a time when religious divisions occasionally dominate national discourse, this local initiative highlights a different narrative of collaboration and shared values.
As Ramadan and Lent unfold simultaneously this year, Hon. Francis Barthlomew Omowale Chima, aka OmoBarca, is using the moment to reinforce a simple but powerful message: faith, when expressed through love and generosity, can unite communities.
