* Shari’ah panel saga tops agenda
* Featuring Qur’an Recitation Challenge, Award Presentation, Free Medical Screening
In what has become an annual tradition, the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) is inviting undergraduates, past students and Muslims in general to its 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture.
The event scheduled for Sunday, 23rd February 2025, will attract prominent Muslim personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Hamzat; former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; Olowu of Owu Kingdom, and Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, among others.
This year’s pre-Ramadan lecture is themed: ‘Transformative Power of Ramadan’, Muslim News gathered.
It will be held at the J.F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, by 10 a.m.
Speaking at the press conference held on Tuesday, February 11, at the Islamic Center of the University of Lagos, UMA President Dr Mumini Alao said the choice of the theme is to highlight the immense benefits embedded in the holy month so that the Muslim faithful can prepare to exploit them in full.
According to him, the lead topic of discussion is: “Islam at the Intersection of Humanity and Religion.”
“This topic was inspired by the apparent dilemma of Muslims on how to find the right balance between the demands of our faith and the rights of our neighbours, which sometimes might be in conflict.”
Speaking further, Dr. Mumini, a veteran sports journalist and Executive Consultant with Complete Sports, noted that the second discussion at the pre-Ramadan lecture will focus on “Shari’ah in South West Nigeria.”
Muslim News gathered that the issue of Shari’ah has, in the past few weeks, featured prominently in public discourse, especially following the development in Ekiti State, where a traditional ruler purportedly ‘banned’ the establishment of a Shari’ah Arbitration Panel as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism among willing Muslims in his domain.
“Is it true that the Shari’ah is strange to South West Nigeria? Is there no history, past or present, of its adoption and application in the private lives of willing Muslims in the region? Is it against the Nigerian Constitution for willing Muslims to opt for adjudication of some aspects of their personal lives according to the Shari’ah?
“Do traditional rulers or government officials have the power to ban private citizens from adopting an Alternative Dispute Resolution instrument of their choice?,” Dr. Mumini asked, adding that the two renowned legal scholars would do justice to the carefully selected topics.
UMA President also stated that His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, will deliver a keynote address; the Chairman of the occasion is Senator Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State with His Majesty Oba (Professor) Saka Adeola Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom as the Royal Father of the Day, while the Chief Host is Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
Muslim News also learnt that other highlights of the event include the Qur’anic Recitation Challenge, free medical screening for participants, and an attempt to ensure the wellness of Muslims during the Ramadan fast.
Being a milestone, awards will be presented to past guest speakers and other deserving personalities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the pre-Ramadan lecture of the Alumni Association.
Dr Mumini said, “We’ve introduced some innovations this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the lecture. One of them is a “Qur’an Recitation Challenge” amongst primary, secondary and Arabic school children, the winners of which will be announced at the lecture.
“Then, we shall be giving out special recognition awards to some of the scholars who have delivered our lectures in the past. As usual, our Medical team will offer free medical checks to early arrivals before the programme proper gets underway.”
The pre-Ramadan lecture is one of the many programmes of the UMA that brings together the institution’s Muslim alumni, who are now in different walks of life, such as business, politics, academics, and other professions.
During the last three decades, the Pre-Ramadan Lecture has established itself as the forerunner of all other Ramadan Lectures in Lagos and, indeed, the whole of South West Nigeria.
It has also been established in the University of Lagos academic calendar by the Muslim Community as an annual event to look forward to.
“This epoch-making commemorative 30th-anniversary edition promises to be very rewarding for all attendees as it ushers the holy month of Ramadan. We look forward to receiving everyone at the University of Lagos on 23rd February 2025,” he added.
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