*As YABATECH Rector, MTN CFO, others grace GMP Convention
The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, has enjoined professionals to always proffer solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the nation, saying it would make a difference in the society.
The monarch made the call on Wednesday at the formal opening ceremony of the 12th annual convention of the Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Themed, ‘Balanced Prosperity: Faith, wealth and global resilience’, the three-day conference is a gathering of muslim professionals all over Nigeria in an effort to dissect pressing topical issues facing the Muslims.
Oba Matemilola, who was the royal guest of honour at the event, challenged the Muslim professionals to engage their innovative minds in creating noteworthy accomplishments in their various fields.
He said: “No matter how much resources we have, if not properly managed, it is nothing. We cannot continue to remain docile, I want to charge my fellow muslims out there to manage our resources properly to translate to prosperity.”
He further emphasised on the theme of the event and the benefit it will create when the discourse is established.
“This conference theme is a befitting one for the event and I believe it is something we need to discuss more as a people.
“The theme is talking money, physical assets and knowledge, our influence and reach as muslims and how we use all of these to create prosperity for the general community. When we do that, we also give the non-Muslims an opportunity to see the beauty of Islamic systems”, he added.
Muslims should think individually and act collectively, Prof Yusuf says
Professor of Risk Management and Insurance, University of Lagos, Prof Tajudeen Yusuf, stated that Muslims generally should think individually and act collectively.
While expanding on his address about takaful, an Islamic alternative to conventional insurance, Prof Yusuf highlighted risk sharing, usury free transactions and transparency as the major benefits of the takaful concept.
He said: “Takaful, derived from the Arabic root word ‘Kafala’(guarantee), is an Islamic alternative to conventional insurance. It is a mutual guarantee built on the principles of Ta’awun (mutual assistance) and Tabarru’ (donation). Takaful is distinct in its structure, objectives, and compliance with Shari’ah principles.”
Using Quran citations, thought provoking questions, and case studies of different countries that have successfully used takaful as a financial aid model during crisis, he further established the balance of the model in meeting demands of economies while adhering to Islamic values.
Linking his address to the theme, the professor added: “Balanced prosperity is not merely a goal; it is a responsibility, faith and wealth. When aligned with ethical principles, can drive resilience and sustainability. Takaful exemplifies this balance, offering a Shari’ah-compliant model that meets the demands of modern economies while adhering to Islamic values.”
Rector YABATECH, MTN CFO admonish participants
The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr Ibraheem Abdul in his goodwill message enjoined Muslims to embrace the teachings of the holy Qur’an in deciphering actionable strategies to guide their lifestyle.
Executive Director/Chief Finance Officer (CFO) MTN, Modupe Kadri, echoing the royal father, urged participants to stop shying away from making their voices heard and start taking actions based on their learnings in the programme.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr Akeem Oyewale spotlighted the reasoning behind the theme of the 2024 edition of the conference, emphasizing that the complexity of the modern world creates an urgency for its discourse.
He highlighted: “As professionals, we are in a privileged position to ensure that wealth creation and distribution are ethical, inclusive, and beneficial to the society. Whether through entrepreneurship or public service. We must prioritise transparency, support charitable initiatives and create opportunities for others to thrive”
The GMP convention, which runs through Saturday, 28th December, is an annual convergence of Muslim professionals in Nigeria to engage in thought provoking discussions, dialogues, workshops and panel sessions by renowned speakers from diverse backgrounds.
