• Oyebanji , Ogun, Oyo Dep Govs praise southwest Muslims
• Muslims must unite to overcome challenges, says JAMB Registrar Oloyede
• As leaders, scholars discuss issues at MUSWEN’s 8th General Assembly
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat says equity, justice and fairness are crucial building blocks in fostering unity in any society.
He stated this on Saturday, December 9, at the 8th General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), the umbrella body of all Muslim associations in the six states that make up the region.
Dr. Hamzat who was the keynote speaker at the event stressed that equity, justice and fairness are key elements of a democratic government.
He posited that, “As building blocks of a nation, they are the critical elements we must focus on for people to feel comfortable enough to tolerate each other and on that basis, foster unity,” Dr. Hamzat said
The event which was held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, was themed, “Rebuilding Unity: The Quest for Justice, Fairness and Equity in a Multi-religious Society”.
Muslim News gathered that the UNILAG edition marks the first time the General Assembly would be holding outside Ibadan, Oyo State, where The MUSWEN Secretariat is located.
It featured the review of activities of MUSWEN as read by its president, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo since its last General Assembly in Ibadan last year, and discussed the outlook of the association for the foreseeable future.
In a presentation, the Lagos State Deputy Governor noted that most of the factors causing disunity among Nigerians have a tint of ethnicity and religious connotation.
“Religion has markedly become a critical factor in the current state of our unity. Attacks have taken place in mosques and churches. People have been killed resulting from religious altercations. More recently, a whole national election resonated around the religion of candidates. These tendencies indeed have grave consequences.”
Dr. Hamzat said for Nigeria to make a headway in its various challenges, the people must not only be religious, their religiousity must be deployed positively on the polity. He stressed that religious leaders have a crucial role to play in dousing tensions and in uniting the nation.
“Today, however, I dare postulate that in the embers of our challenges, there are magnificent possibilities that we can make a headway and it is to our ‘religiousness’ that we must turn. When we are so guided by the knowledge of the divine and by the teachings of our faiths, then our society will thrive once again.
“Our religious leaders have pivotal roles to play, using the pulpit as a launching pad in dousing the tensions. Not only do they have the clout to influence but they must utilize various opportunities to address national malaise. Islamic tenets and their applications to national life must be the subject of sermons. They must reflect on the key realities and speak truth to government.
“Religious leaders, often times, have access to government as spiritual leaders and fathers. Political leaders as well as citizens are followers to spiritual leaders and their opinions truly count. They must truly be against immorality, vices and ills of society.
“In all, our nation deserves our best. We can, as leaders, present a united front. Remember Allah promotes justice and demands it of adherents. We must let our voices resonate at the forefront of national issue, upholding Allah’s standard and banner.”
The 8th General Assembly was also attended by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimat Salako-Oyedele; representative of Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; representative of Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; and other dignitaries.
In a goodwill message, the Ogun State Deputy Governor lauded MUSWEN for the tremendous work it has been doing.
She said, “Having listened to the various presentations and the address by the president of MUSWEN, we can see that MUSWEN has lofty ideas for us as Muslims. I want to join everyone to thank them for the efforts and the tremendous work they have been doing, and for the impactful project they have been carrying out on behalf of all of us, the Muslim Ummah in southwest.”
Engr. Salako-Oyedele urged Muslims to participate in the political process, noting that the ummah needs political will and power to execute certain ideas.
“We don’t have enough Muslim brothers and sisters in the political space. Whatever we want to do, we need money and power. Power is not served a la carte. Please, brothers and sisters, participate and support the people in the political space, so that when we have ideas, we will also have the political will to back those ideas and see them to fruition for the benefit of the deen.”
Dr. Habeebah Adubiaro, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ekiti who represented Governor Oyebanji, said her principal would do more to empower and support Muslims in the state.
“I extend the regards of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to you all. Our governor is a christian, but he has been supporting Muslims in the state. In his cabinet, there are three Muslims. The Governor understands this is not enough for Muslims, but it’s an improvement over the situation he inherited. He will be doing a lot more to empower and support Muslims in Ekiti State.”
Oyo State Deputy Governor Barr. Lawal who was away on another assignment to represent Governor Seyi Makinde was equally represented by one of his aides.
He expressed his best wishes to MUSWEN, praying that the association would continue to grow in leaps and bounds.
Oloyede emphasises education
Speaking with Muslim News on the sidelines of the event, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Prof. Ishaq Oloyede emphasised the need for quality education, saying it is the veritable route to poverty alleviation.
According to him, the Muslim ummah will overcome its various challenges through education, unity, dedication and consistency.
“The ummah needs unity, care, compassion and education. I believe that education is the greatest route to alleviation of poverty. Many might think that formal education is not paying immediately, but I believe there is no other route towards sustainable alleviation of poverty other than education. It may be theoretical education, skill education; all types of education that will combat the challenges of the period”. With unity, education, consistency and dedication, I believe we’ll overcome our current challenges.
“My message to the stakeholders of MUSWEN is to uphold unity and hard work. Let’s work very hard. Let us be united. BiqudiratiLlah, God will see us through the challenges.”
President appreciates
MUSWEN president, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo thanked Allah for the success of the General Assembly which was graced by the leadership of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, representatives of various Muslim organisations, professional organizations, women and youth organizations, among others.
Some of the dignitaries at the occasion include the President-General, League of Imams and Alfas, Western States, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere; President, Lagos Muslim Community, Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi; former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Alhaja Muinat Sopeyin; VC University of Lagos, Prof Folashade Ogunsola, represented by Prof Musa Obalola; Deputy President II, MUSWEN, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike; immediate former Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan; Secretary General, Ogun State Muslim Council, Alhaji Kamoldeen Akintunde; Executive Chairman, MPAC Nigeria, Kamor Disu; among others.
MUSWEN is an umbrella body for all the Muslims in the six states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo in Southwest Nigeria. Founded in 2008 with the primary aims of fostering unity among Muslims in the southwestern region of Nigeria, it embraces all Islamic Organisations, NGOs, League of Imams and Alfas, Muslim traditional and community leaders, title holders, Muslim intellectuals, professional tradesmen and business people, women and youth.
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