It was the heralding of a new dawn for the global challenges and dynamics, as the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) elected one of its pioneer members, a niqabi, Alhaja Rofiah Idowu Sanni as the 10th National Amirah of the Nigerian faith-based organisation.
Alhaja Sanni was announced as the new National Amirah at the 36th Annual National Conference of the Muslim Women Organisation held between 25th to 28th August, 2021 at the Pyakas Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja.
The conference themed: “Towards Inclusive Development in the Post COVID-19 Era: Prospects, Challenges and the Role of Muslim Women in Africa,” had in attendance over 786 delegates from across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It was chaired by the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, who was ably represented by the State’s Hon. Commissioner, Special Duties, Hajiya Hafsatu Baba and attended by prominent Nigerians, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III.
The new National President, a retired Principal from the Oyo State Civil Service and the wife of a renowned Muslim Scholar and Chairman Oyo State Muslim Community, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, will steer the ship of the leading Muslim Women Organisation in Nigeria for the next two renewable 2 years.
In her acceptance speech, the niqobi appreciated Almighty Allah for her emergence as the new National President of FOMWAN.
Alhaja Sanni promised to coordinate the affairs of the Organisation with the fear of Allah, while also seeking for the cooperation of all members in order for her to have a successful tenure.
According to her, “To Allah be all glory for this rare privilege. I am thankful for the opportunity given to me by FOMWAN to serve and further contribute my quota to its all round development. This is an amanah (trust) which I will account for, hence, I am praying to Allah to ease the task for me and make it a hujjah for me and not against me on the day of recompense.
“I am seeking the cooperation of all members as the task should be seen as a collective one. This will enable us to continue to expand the frontiers and tentacles of our great Association towards better lives for Muslim women and girls,” she added.
At the end of the conference, FOMWAN issued a communique where she raised concerned over the widespread insecurity across the nation, with special targets on educational institutions, Islamiyyah Schools and their students.
FOMWAN said the incessant attacks have created an emergency in education, therefore calling on Government at all levels to articulate an Education Crisis Response Plan that will ensure security of life in our schools and the Nation at large.
The communique signed by the immediate former Amirah, Hajia Halima Jibril and her National PRO, Dr. Sumaye Hamza also observed with dismay the issue of over 12 million out-of-school children on the streets and therefore called on SUBEB to leverage on the structures of FOMWAN, who has the capacity to support in stakeholder mapping and community mobilisation to bring more children to school.
