Find solutions to hardship facing Nigerians, TMC tells Tinubu

• Says prices of commodities now three times higher under him

• As organisation stages camps in Nigeria and Benin Republic

• We have built formidable institutions in the last 30 years of existence: Bangbala

One of Nigeria’s leading faith-based organisations, The Muslim Congress (TMC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to urgently find the solution to the inflation and hike in market prices.

According to TMC, the increasing cost of living is creating unbearable hardship for Nigerians.

The Amir (President) of the Society, Alhaji AbdWasi’ Taiwo Bangbala appealed on Monday at the closing ceremony of the 30th National Islamic Training Programme (NITP), an annual camping event of TMC, held at Vanguards Academy, Odosengolu, Ogun State.

The second phase of the annual training camp, only for men, will begin for delegates in Benin Republic from Friday, December 29, 2023, to Monday, January 1, 2024 at Covine Ketou, located in the Plateau Department of the Republic of Benin.

Muslim News gathered this year’s NITP coincided with the 30th anniversary of the organisation which was founded to be the foremost Islamic organisation guiding, influencing and setting agenda for societal reformation in line with the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Amir said, “The federal government should find the solution to the hardship Nigerians are currently battling with. Market prices have skyrocketed like three times. Food inflation and crisis make it difficult for an average Nigerian to put three square meals on their table daily. I appeal to the government to quickly arrest the situation.”

According to him, national development is at the heart of TMC’s mission as an organisation. Our noble faith not only inspires us to seek personal growth but also to strive for the betterment of our societies. This reminds me of the statement by the great predecessor, Imam Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), who said, ‘A community will attain perfection when it values its knowledgeable leaders and its elderly.’ We must value education, knowledge, and wisdom so that we can contribute positively to our nations, fostering progress, and prosperity,” the Amir noted.

‘Retrospect into TMC at 30’

Noting that there is a need for a retrospect into TMC’s 30-year journey of Islamic Da’wah in Nigeria, Alhaji Bangbala said the organisation has established formidable institutions for quality human resources development.

He said, “Over the last 30 years, we have built formidable foundation for the human with quality human resources development and establishment of Da’wah Support Institutions (DSI), Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited (HMVL), AlBarakah Microfinance Bank (AMFB), Vanguards Academy (VA), Halal Certification Authority (HCA), Global Centre for Leadership and Human Development (GCLHD), Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI) and the most recent and ongoing, International Muslim Cemetery (IMC).”

The Amir appreciated members, past executives and founding fathers of TMC, many of those who attended the camp, for their support.

He also asked the camp delegates to remember that clinging on to Allah’s rope is not merely a religious obligation, but also a source of strength and guidance in all facets of our lives.

“As we mark the end of this epoch-making event, let us carry forward the valuable lessons we have learned and continue to contribute to the growth and development of our beloved nation and the larger Muslim Ummah. May Allah bless our efforts, protect our brothers and sisters in Gaza, and enable us to be a source of light, knowledge, and unity to the world.”

‘Clinging on to the Rope of Allah’

Muslim News gathered that it was a jointly held NITP that brought together members from all the nine functional states, Edo, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the first time, in ten years, in commemoration of TMC 30th Anniversary.

“Before now, we normally have the camp at 3 different zones across the country but this year, we brought everyone together, from the far north, south-south, south-east and southwest, all over the country, to mark three decades of Islamic activism – reflect on the past, present and chart a new course for the future. Interestingly, our members in Benin Republic will also begin their camp this Friday,” said, Chairman, NITP Planning Committee, Alhaji Mikail Animashaun.

Speaking on the theme, Alhaji Animashaun said the TMC’s quest to have a crime-free society where there would be no kidnapping, robbery, prostitution, fraud, or terrorism among other vices, informed the choice of the theme.

“Looking at society today, there are crimes everywhere. From kidnapping to robbery, fraud and other vices. How do we make an impact in society? How do you nurture a crime-free society? It begins with building an ideal home where children will be brought up in the way of God and be morally, socially and spiritually upright. Without that, there is every possibility that we are going to have a society with a high rate of crime.

“We were able to bring Muslim scholars and personalities, who came from far and near, to address different topics relating to the theme during the 5-day camping programme. I can say that we have impacted positivity on all participants and I am sure they will all go back home and implement what they have learnt to build ideal Muslim homes and make the society better,” he noted.

TMC launches Khutbah book

Many leaders, past and present, including members of the society graced the launch of the TMC Khutbah book, held at the formal closing ceremony.

The Chairman planning committee told Muslim News that the launch of the Khutbah book forms part of TMC’s strategy towards building personalities that love Allah and work hand in hand with the government to build a society of our desire.

“Over the years, TMC has always released Khutbah (sermons) every week, which has been adopted by imams of different central mosques across the country. The Khutbah doesn’t only focus on spirituality, it also addresses current happenings, and challenges facing Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and globally, and Islamic remedies.

“It’s an all-inclusive Khutbah that TMC releases every week. We now feel that it’s important that we compile those Khutbah lectures in a book format that will be easy for Central Mosque imams to have access to at every Juma’ah. Our Khutbah is relevant all the time,” he noted.

‘Other camp activities’

Muslim News learnt that spiritual diets, health talks, professional discussions, and sports were major highlights of the camping programme, held between Friday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 26, with over 2,000 delegates from nine states, in attendance.

Speaking during one of the professional classes of the camp, Associate Professor Ibrahim Ogunkoya urged Muslims to continue purifying their souls to reverse the trends of disruption in society.

Dr. Ogunkoya who is a national officer of TMC and the Head of Business Administration Department, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), charged delegates to imbibe the traits of the Mu’min which he said includes belief in the unseen, adhering strictly to Allah’s injunction, guiding against things forbidden by Allah, unshakable trust in Allah and humility.

Uphold organisation’s mission, YABATECH Rector

Similarly, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, counselled members of TMC to continue to uphold the mission of the organisation, while also fulfilling their covenant with Allah.

Dr Abdul, a former National Secretary General of TMC, made this remark at a professional class during the camping programme. He noted that Allah will always come through with His promises for His people.

At a session on disaster management, an Assistant Superintendent Fire Officer, Ogun State Fire Service, Mr Abdulhakeem Aniyikaye, advised delegates to procure fire extinguishers in their cars, homes and offices to mitigate unforeseen circumstances that may lead to fire disasters.

Aniyikaye said carelessness and ignorance are the major factors responsible for fire disasters, urging people to always alert firefighters during any fire outbreak through emergency lines (112 and 122) for both Ogun and Lagos States.

Ogun State defeats Lagos to lift Amir Cup

The representatives of the Ogun State chapter of the Society were the cynosure of all eyes when they defeated their counterpart from Lagos 4-2 on penalties, following a dramatic goalless, to lift the 2023 Amir Cup.

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