*As ex-Minister, former Appeal court judge, retired broadcaster, others attend TMC Annual Lecture in Abuja
***Urge leaders, followers on adherence to Allah’s divine law
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has identified transparency, accountability and justice as key components for good governance to take its roots in a nation.
Pantami, a renowned Nigerian Muslim scholar noted that countries where these principles are implemented have witnessed progress and development.
The former Minister spoke at the 2024 Annual State Lecture of The Muslim Congress (TMC) on Sunday, 6th October 2024 in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Themed: ‘Building a Great Nation: Collective Responsibility of the Leader and the Led’, the annual lecture also held simultaneously in Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Niger and Ondo states on Sunday, 6th October and earlier on Saturday, 5th October in Ogun and Kwara.
Addressing the topic: ‘Good Governance: A Catalyst for Economic Development’ as a guest lecturer, Prof. Pantami lamented that Africa is still grappling with the problem of good governance, adding “Most of our challenges as a people stem from it.
“The problem is not irredeemable. It has a solution, and that is Islamic or faith-based governance, a divine form of governance that is universal,” he noted.
The professor of cybersecurity at Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) described good governance as “An effective, accountable and transparent management of resources and institutions to ensure the well-being of citizens and sustainable development.”
Prof. Pantami was honoured with the Digital Ummah Excellence Award for his remarkable contributions to the nation and the Muslim world during his tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
He said, “Looking at the Prophets sent by Allah to mankind, up to our final Prophet Muhammad (SAW), one would realise that they promoted good governance in their leadership. This was enunciated to us in many verses of the Qur’an. For example, Q 4 vs 58, says: “Allah commands you to render trust to whom it is due, and if you’re to judge between people, ensure justice and fairness.”
“Allah mentioned the major components of good governance from this verse. They are trust, which translates to accountability and transparency. Second is justice which has been classified into many different parts, including retributive and distributive justice.
“Retributive justice is about fair hearing and equality before the law. Distributive justice usually deals with social justice. That is equitable distribution of resources to the citizens. This verse has indicated to us two of the major principles and prerequisites of establishing good governance. That’s trust and justice.”
Pantami said the United Nations (UN) and the western world laws have identified seven prerequisites to establish good governance, noting almost all of the components are in total alignment with Allah’s divine law.
“Transparency, accountability, participation or consultation, principles of law, equity, effectiveness, responsiveness are the seven key principles of establishing good governance. The countries (Muslims or non-Muslim countries) that apply these principles are developing and progressing because what is important about leadership isn’t about your religion but ability to do justice.
“Justice is more important in leadership. If you’re a Muslim, and not committed to justice, your being a Muslim has been defeated because religion isn’t just about ability to identify ourselves, rather to differentiate ourselves and be upright, fair and responsible. This is the wisdom behind religion. Once this isn’t achieved, the aim of being a Muslim in leadership has been defeated,” he noted.
Leadership in Islam is service – veteran journalist
For his part, a veteran broadcast journalist and retired Director Public Affairs, Voice of Nigeria, VON, Ustadh AbdurRazaq AbdusSalam (Abu Umar Al-Faruq), said leadership in Islam is about service.
The retired director of the VON spoke on the topic: ‘Political and Economic Stability: An Insight from Islamic History’, urging leaders to see their position as a responsibility, and not as authority or power.
According to him, “Our predecessors in Islam saw leadership as a responsibility not as authority or power. They put people’s interests before theirs as demonstrated in the story of Umar Bn Khattab and the missing camel.”
Abu Umar Al-Faruq listed five interrelated principles around which political and economic stability in Islam revolves. They include faith, practice, personal morality, justice and fair play, and economic welfare.
He said the consequence of adopting these principles was that trust was brought to leadership, the economy grew, people were willing to sacrifice, and the leaders moved freely in society.
“There is an account of Umar Bn Khattab sleeping under the shade in the open without a guard. His Roman visitor was alarmed. He said: Oh Umar, you ruled fairly, therefore felt secured and slept.”
Nigerians should go back to basis – Justice Umar-Faruq
Also, speaking at the event, Hon. Justice Umar-Faruq Abdullah, a former president of the Court of Appeal, admonished in his opening remarks that Nigerians should go back to the basis, and hold firmly onto the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).
He submitted that our problems as a country stem from the weakness of our faith cum neglect of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
He said: “In a simple study and analysis of our lives in the country today, the weakness of our eeman manifests. So, I’ll say our eeman as Muslims in the country has degraded to the barest. We can see it in our words and actions. I want to remind us that Allah SWT has given clearcut instructions in the Qur’an on the permissible and non-permissible.
“We’ve also ignored most of the Prophet’s teaching. That’s why we’re in a dire situation and state of confusion, for abandoning the basics that we should have adhered to as Muslims. We tend to put our reliance on humans irrespective, forgetting that they are as helpless as we are.”
He asked that Muslims think deeply and go back to the basis.
“In contemporary Nigeria, Muslims should reflect. Are we still compliant to Allah’s rulings in the Qur’an? Are we still being assisted by the sunnah in deciphering messages of the Qur’an?
“So I say, “think deep.” Islam led the world when Muslims were steadfast. Hence, if we continue to derail, our condition will not change for the better. Our plight today is an offshoot of our thoughts and actions. We’ve left the foundation, so, we find ourselves in a very pathetic situation.”
He called for timely assessment and self-evaluation.
“All we have to do is simple; sit down, reflect and resolve to obey Allah, our Creator. We should assess ourselves from time to time. The time has come for us to turn a new leaf and go back to the basis. I hope this short message helps us.”
He advised everyone to emulate the ideals of organisations like TMC, who have been championing the cause of righteousness over time
What Annual Lecture meant to achieve: Amir TMC
Earlier in his welcome address, the Amir of TMC, Alhaji Abdulwasi’i Bangbala, said the Annual State Lecture has been a platform for sharing views, ideas, and positions, with the aim of guiding the nation towards progress and prosperity.
The Amir said the theme for 2024 resonates deeply with the trials Nigeria currently faces as a nation.
He said the struggles are real amid the dire economic circumstances, adding the statistical figures are not just data but represent tangible hardship.
“Millions of people face palpable suffering, with families struggling daily to meet basic necessities. We are confronted with the harsh realities that many of our citizens endure every day. The rising cost of living has become a pressing concern for families across the country,” the Amir stated.
“Food prices have skyrocketed, making it increasingly difficult for the average Nigerian to put a meal on the table. The cost of energy has surged, leaving many in despair, while the exchange rate fluctuations have further exacerbated the economic strain on our people. Education, the bedrock of any great nation, is also under threat.
“At a time when accessible and affordable education is crucial for fostering inclusive growth and development, rising costs are rendering it unattainable for numerous families, thereby undermining the nation’s potential.”
Alhaji Bangbala, meanwhile noted that the burden of recovery from the challenges Nigeria currently grapples with rests on both the leaders and citizens.
He said, “It is our collective responsibility—leaders and citizens alike—to address these challenges head-on. We must demand that our government prioritize its citizens’ welfare. The time has come for our leaders to rise to the occasion, listen to the cries of the masses, and take decisive action to alleviate our people’s suffering. We need policies that address not only the symptoms of our economic woes but also tackle the root causes with sincerity and urgency.
“As we reflect on our responsibilities, let us remember that change begins with us. Each of us has a role to play in building a great nation. We must hold our leaders accountable, engage in constructive dialogue, and support initiatives promoting economic stability and social justice.
“Religious bodies and civil societies must also ramp up initiatives that will foster the spirit of unity and collaboration among all Nigerians, regardless of our differences. Together, we must strive to fix the systemic challenges that hinder Nigeria’s growth. Whether through advocacy, community service, or education, we must all step up and fulfill our roles as engaged citizens committed to the welfare of our nation.”
Other beautiful pictures at the event
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