As Uzamot Communications partners NTA 10 on Ramadan Lecture
The Chief Missioner, AlFathu-l-Qareeb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria, Sheikh (Dr.) Fadlu-r-Rahman Kehinde Tijani, has described corruption and mismanagement of resources by the Nigerian government and its officials as an act of ungratefulness to God.
Sheikh Kehinde Tijani made this assertion at the 2025 Ramadan Lecture organised by Uzamot Communications in conjunction with NTA 10 and Islamic Platform.
Themed: Essence of Thanksgiving in Islam, the event held on Sunday at the premises of the television station in Tejuosho witnessed a large turn out of Muslim scholars, political leaders, business men and women, government functionaries, among others.
The spiritual leader of the popular Asalatu group posited that Nigeria ranks among the few countries blessed with abundant human and natural resources globally.
He however noted that the country has failed woefully to translate its enormous wealth into greatness due to mismanagement and corruption, stressing that nations that fail to manage their resources adequately are simply not appreciative of Allah, The Giver of Wealth.
Nigeria as ungrateful nation
Dr. Kehinde Tijani faulted the country leadership for insensitivity to the plights of the masses despite its oil, gas, fertile land and abundant water for agriculture.
Buttressing his point, he compared the Nigeria’s situation with a similitude of an ungrateful nation in the Qur’an 16:112 where Allah cite “a prosperous nation that was safe and at ease, receiving its provisions in abundance from all directions.
“But its people met Allah’s favours with ingratitude, so Allah made them taste the clutches of hunger and fear for their misdeeds”.
According to the Chief Missioner, “Nigerians have the habit of wasting resources, but I suppose our current realities have taught us great lessons. I hope that from now on, we’ll manage our resources well to manifest our gratitude to the Almighty. Let’s uphold prudence, right from our homes”, he noted.
Essence of Thanksgiving
The respected scholar emphasized the essence of thanksgiving as a way to be appreciative to Almighty God at all times.
“That’s why the opening of the Qur’an says: “Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe’. It’s a show of appreciation and an indirect command to show that He (Allah) demands our gratitude and thanks at all time.
“In other parts of Qur’an, Allah instructed us to appreciate the kindness we receive from people. That’s why He commanded that children should be grateful and good to their parents. He commands us to be thankful to Him and then to our parents, which establishes the show gratitude to fellow humans.”
Sheikh Kehinde Tijani maintained that it’s imperative for mankind to give thanks to Allah to avoid His Punishment, saying gratitude will pave the way for more blessings while the path of ingratitude leads to chastising torment.
According to him, “It is, therefore, safe to say that gratitude is an aspect of worship because if Allah says one will be punished for not being thankful, then conversely, it becomes imperative for us to acknowledge Him.
“Allah even calls Himself Al-Hameed (The Praiseworthy), Ash-Shaakir (The Giver of Thanks), and Ash-Shakur (The Appreciative). On the Judgement day, He will compensate the righteous and pious with Paradise as a form of appreciation and reward for their efforts.
“Hence, appreciation is very important. I hereby urge us to be appreciative of one another, especially at the family level. Students should appreciate their teachers. We even give votes of thanks at events and ceremonies to encourage our guests. Gratitude is a virtue that we must learn to imbibe for the good of everyone.
Sheikh Mukthar stresses importance of gratitude to Allah
Also speaking, the Founder of Muhammadu Rosullullah Global Family, Sheikh Ahmad Ibrahim Bukhari Al-Mukhtar, called on Muslims to be grateful to Almighty Allah irrespective of their conditions.
Sheikh Mukthar said there are a lot of people who spend a huge amount of money in seeking health while other people are in the grave, saying that anyone who is still alive have a chance to get expected riches and blessings of God.
“Gratitude is very important in the life of a Muslim. Allah stresses the importance of gratitude in several chapters of the Qur’an. This does not only emphasis the importance of gratitude, it also shows that Allah Himself expresses gratitude. As such, we need to appreciate Allah for everything he does in our lives.
He also said gratitude can be expressed verbally, with actions or gestures, adding that it’s sacrosanct that we are expressive in showing gratitude to Allah.
“Gratitude and joy are two different things. So, let’s all ask ourselves: Are we appreciative? Which of the two does Allah ask of us? To whom belongs gratitude? To whom belongs joy? We often confuse our joy and felicitations for gratitude. Gratitude will never pave the way for mischance, but if care is not taken, excitement or overanxiety might lead to catastrophe,” he noted.
Missioner Shamsudeen leads special remembrance prayer for Gawat
One of the highlights of the annual gathering was the special remembrance prayers held in honour of a frontline Islamic programme presenter on NTA and Alhaji Usamot’s bossom friend, Abdur-Rasaq Aremu Gawat, who has not been found after he was declared missing in July 2012.
The Chief Missioner, Shams-ud-Deen Al-Islami Worldwide, Sheikh Abdul-Waheed Badrudeen, who led hundreds of Muslims in supplication for Alhaji Gawat, Lagos State and the nation, prayed to Allah to forgive the renowned broadcaster.
Sheikh Badrudeen described Alhaji Gawat as a generous Muslim whose strides and indelible marks can not be overemphasized.
“During his lifetime, he touched many lives. He was very generous and kind. Even in Hajj, he was always standing up for people. He took it upon himself to put a smile on the face of anyone with problems.
“We can only thank Allah for him because his life was well spent. Although we don’t know how he left, we’re sure that Allah is aware of all that is hidden. In short, Gawat left as a martyr. We should learn from him, emulate his values, and touch lives the way we will also be remembered when we’re no more. May Allah SWT bless the soul of Abdur-Rasaq Aremu Gawat,” he said.
Gratitude is the best of prayers
The Missioner of Shams-ud-Deen Al-Islami said gratitude is the best of prayers and paves the way for blessings and carts away evil.
“It is one of the things that Allah does not take with levity. Our lecturer made us understand that when Prophet Adam sneezed in the process of creation, he said: “Alhamdulillah”, to show that we must always express and show our gratitude to Allah. We owe Him appreciation for making us humans, above other creatures,” he noted.
Disburse money, food, grounding machine to empower participants
Aside from the spiritual uplift benefited by those who attended the programme, Muslim News gathered that some selected participants were also empowered.
Some brands and guests who attended extended generosity to the chosen beneficiaries. They sponsored welfare and empowerment packages for them.
The beneficiaries include three winners of hundred thousand naira who were handed cheques at the venue, and three winners of grinding machine.
Indigent members of the general public were carefully chosen as beneficiaries. The brands charged Uzamot Communications to pick people who were really in need of help for the endowment and empowerment. Thereafter, the brands, through their representatives, presented the gifts to the beneficiaries.
Many gift items were also won by some who answered questions correctly during an Islamic quiz session.
Olusi, Solomon, Saidah Awa remarks…
In a remark, the Chairman of Lagos State Governor Advisory Council, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, who went down memory lane about the development of Islam at the Palace of Oba of Lagos said that Islamic scholars must do everything possible to right the wrong of the past by documenting the advancement of Islam.
Prince Olusi quoted verses of Al-Quran that stated that there is no compulsion in religion and advised that Muslim faithful must lay solid foundation for their children so that they can follow their footsteps because a lot of misconceptions are being dished out by non-believers to lure Muslim to practice other religions.
Also speaking, APC Chieftain, Senator Ganiyu Solomon admonished the Muslim faithful to adhere strictly to Ramadan guidelines and do more charity and almsgiving to seek God’s forgiveness and favours.
Queen Seidah Awa Ibrahim, who attended the gathering despite her busy schedule, commended Alhaji Uzamot’s dedication to Islamic propagation which he has committed to from time immemorial.
She said, “There are so many time-consuming commitments and engagements, especially during this Ramadan, but our father, Alhaji Usamot, has been very wonderful. He has been doing the good work from time immemorial, and it is best that we honour him. He does so much for Islam and Muslims. That’s why we’ve all graced his programme with our presence.”
She, therefore, urged Muslims to emulate good values and legacies, saying, “I’m here today because of the values Alhaji Usamot has inculcated in us from a very tender age.
“He awakened our consciousness of Allah and Islam. My presence here is a show of gratitude for his contributions.
“So, as the lecturer had said, Muslims should learn to be appreciative. Moreover, one good turn deserves another. We should learn to reciprocate kindness. I might not have donated handsomely here, but affirmed that my presence was all that mattered. I wish to be here next year, hale and hearty. May Allah SWT spare our lives till then and beyond,” she added.
The Convener of NTA Channel 10 and Uzamot Communication, Alhaji Tajudeen Usamot, said the annual Ramadan lecture was put together to preach the words of God to the people and encourage the Muslim faithful to do more for the less privileged in the month of Ramadan as a way of purifying their wealth.
Other dignitaries at the event
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