One of Nigeria’s leading faith-based organisations, The Muslim Congress (TMC) on Monday December 27, held its Annual National to give its scorecard for the first twelve months of the new administration.
As part of the events for the day, the Shura Committee Chairman announced the new Wulaat (Governors) and Secretaries for seven out of the nine functional states of TMC.
Muslim News gathered that the new Wulaat and Secretaries will form the executive cabinet for each state that will spearhead the affairs of the organisation for the next four years.
The Shura Committee which appointed the new Wulaat and their Secretaries, conducted interviews and assessments in Edo, Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja), except in Niger and Kwara, where their tenures are yet to come to an end.
The 28th Annual National Congress was held at the TMC Da’wah Center in Lagos under the able leadership of the Amir, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Taiwo Bangbala.
The theme of the Annual National Congress was, ‘Sustaining the Pristine Vision in a World of Illusion.’
It was attended by both the past and present leadership of the organisation, including the acting President, Council of Ulamah of Nigeria, Ustadh AbdulFatrah Thanni; Engr. Sadiq Atitebi, the second Amir of TMC; Naibul Amir, Da’wah Affairs, TMC, Ustadh Sherifdeen Ibrahim; Naibul Amir, Administration, TMC, Mallam Mikaail Animashaun; among others.
Annual National Congress is our tradition – Amir
Speaking at the event, the President said the Annual National Congress was all about accountability and transparency where the National Executive Council gives report of its stewardship for the year under review.
“The Annual National Congress is our tradition. It is our culture. It is our desire to be accountable and give report of our scorecard to those who have chosen us as representatives over their spiritual, political, social and economic well-being.
“It also serves as an opportunity to x-ray our organisation at the national level with the view to strengthening its achievements while striving to eliminate our shortcomings that may either drag us backwards or wither away our gains.
“So, we are here once again this year to add amazing value to our great organisation. I will therefore urge us to pay utmost attention to the issues and deliberations that will come up here today. I am counting on your contributions and support just as you have always being known for. Let us make today count not just in the development of our organisation, but also on the weight of our good deeds on the Day of Reckoning”, Amir said.
The newly elected State Wulaat and Secretaries
Muslim News monitored the Annual National Congress that lasted for five hours. While the state Waali, Barrister Tesleem Akosile in Abuja was re-elected, a new set of Waali emerged in the remaining six states.
They are: Dr. AbdurRazaq Ogunmoye ((Ogun); UstadhTajudeen Olushesi Yusuf (Lagos); Ustaz Mikhail Iyiola Oyedeji, (Osun); Mallam Shamsideen Odu (Edo), Engr Daud Oladosu (Oyo) and Mallam AbdulWasiu Babalola (Ondo).
Speaking with Muslim News, Naibul Amir, Administration and Chairman, Shura (electoral) Committee, Mallam Mikaail Animashaun noted that the new leaders are expected to reposition their states and build on previous efforts of their predecessors to ensure the message of Allah gets to the grassroots.
According to him, “We have nine functional states. Two states didn’t have elections yet because their tenures are yet to expire. New sets of committed Brothers emerged Waali in six states. Barr. Akosile, who has been in acting capacity is now the substantive Waali of Abuja.
“Our expectation like I’ve mentioned is to turn things around. We have states like Edo, that is struggling. The new leadership should come out of its shell. The state needs to be repositioned. The leadership in all the states need to ensure they deliver on the mandates they have been given as leaders. This is very key,” he noted.
Mr. Animashaun, who emerged as the best Executive Officer of the Year charged Lagos State, with the largest membership, not to rest on its oars, “When I say largest, it is in terms of membership and the rest. It’s important that the new leadership does not sleep on what they met on ground. If they sleep off, the state may be put where it is not supposed to be.
“Interestingly, while Lagos may be leading in terms of membership size, Oyo State emerged the Best State of the Year as a result of unique strategies and some out-of-the-box thinking deployed by the leadership. So, we expect that all other states should emulate Oyo in this regard. We expect a healthy rivalry. If everybody aims high, the job will get done.”
Overcoming consequences of illusion – Dr. Adeniyi
Speaking on the theme, the Director of Vanguards Academy, Ogun State, Ustaz Adeniyi Zafaran urged everyone to return to Allah in order to overcome the consequences of the illusion being suffered by humanity.
He said, “By the pristine message, you are talking of the message by default, that is, the Owner of this Message wants the best for the inhabitants of the universe. By His own attribute, He couldn’t have created the world for those in it to suffer. That is why most things predated us. The world and the resources therein predated every human being – meaning Allah actually gave us a beffitting welcome into this world by making adequate preparation ahead of our arrival. We must therefore not tamper with the balance. And neither should we corrupt the system, the provisions or the resources therein.
“By the pristine message, we must follow that guidance which Allah has put in place. He sent the Prophets to strengthen it. He sent revelations to strengthen it. Whoever now deviates from the guidance of the Prophets will suffer illusion. Illusion in religion, culture and politics – believing that humans can have different ideologies that can be used to guide humanity. Illusion in following man-made laws, illusion of wrong intentions, of hypocrisy and of jaahiliyyah (ignorance).
“All what we suffer today are the consequences of these illusions. So, what do we do?
Allah has told us in Chapter 30 Verse 41. We have seen the consequences of these illusions manifesting in insecurity, banditry and kidnapping, even the climate change and natural disasters. But Allah is ever there to assist us. Now that we have torn the fabric, we are suffering it. Yet, he still gives us an opportunity to return to Him by repentance and good deeds.
“So, our own duty as Muslims is to see how we can relaunch the pristine message to the world. This is seen in the founding or the formation of organisations and societies with programmes here and there, enlightening the people to live by the aqeedah (sound understanding) of Islam, which of course only can return us to the pristine message,” he noted.
Dr Adeniyi, a prolific writer, stressed that it’s only those with secular thought who hold the view that religion has nothing to offer in addressing the plethora of challenges bedeviling the world. He insisted that religious people must be interested in leadership and how they are ruled.
According to him, there are two pillars in the society, scholars and leaders. “In the history of the world, where we have good leaders with strong religious and moral values, the result is what we have seen in Singapore and Malaysia. It’s because of the good leadership imbued with morality. Nobody is saying the head does not matter. The head matters. It’s a reality of the society. Every nation that progresses very well is due to good leadership.
“As far as Islam is concerned, the pillars that hold the society are scholars and the political elite, the two must work together in a perfect synergy. The two are very important to make things go the right way. For instance, I can preach for 100 years, yet people may not listen, but one policy can make them listen for the next 10 years. Religion is thus part of our nature. Religion is what we need that can actually teach people morality and good behavior.”
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Sanusi says nepotism, appointing incompetent people highest form of corruption
– as GMP searched for ingredients of a prosperous nation during 3-Day Convention
The dethroned Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has said nepotism and electing incompetent people to public offices are the highest forms of corruption, saying that any country that indulges in these acts will never be prosperous.
Sanusi made the disclosure while speaking virtually at the 2021 Convention of the Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) held between December 25 – 27, 2021 at the Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos.
The theme of the three-day convention that featured Muslim professionals in different endeavours was: The path to a prosperous nation, pains and prospects.
The former CBN Governor said there is a need for Nigeria to understand the importance of appointing the right people into public offices.
According to him, We need to understand the importance of having competent people in public offices. We need to stop this idea of putting a square peg in a round hole. Nepotism and appointing incompetent people are the highest forms of corruption and the country suffers from this.
Sanusi, the leader of Tijaniyyah Islamic sect in Nigeria emphasised on the importance of prayers, as he called on Nigerians to seek Allah’s guardian for the leaders.
He said, this country, Nigeria at this this point in time needs our prayers. As we go through very difficult times, the economy is going through difficult periods. We need to pray for our leaders that they get the wisdom to pursue the right economic policies and turn it around. To provide the security for life and property within the borders of this country. To address increasing poverty, inflation
“And we as citizens need to apply ourselves and our minds to the formulation of the best programmes and policies for poverty alleviation in our country,” he added.
