* We’ll help our members realise their potential – Amir Abiona
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, has held the 2025 edition of its annual conference with the theme “Optimising Nation’s Potential for Sustainable Growth and Development.”
The event aimed to empower Muslim students and encourage their active contribution to national progress.
In his remarks, the Amir of MSSN Lagos, Kamoldeen Abiona, explained that the theme was carefully chosen to reflect the urgent need to harness the vast, untapped potential of Muslim youths, especially at the grassroots level.
“One of our priorities is to help members of our association identify and tap into their potentials. We realised that many members need some skills to become employable and we have taken steps to provide them with that,” Abiona said.
He further stressed the disparity in opportunities available to young people, pointing out the need for platforms that bridge that gap.
“We have the manpower, the question is how to harness and train the manpower for national development,” he added.
He outlined the objectives of the gathering, placing emphasis on the Central Branches, which he considered the engine room of the organisation’s continuity and sustainability.
His address set a reflective tone as they looked back on the activities of the 1445/1446AH (2024/2025) administrative year.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor of Law at Lagos State University, Fuminiyi Adeleke, underscored the importance of unity for sustainable development, aligning the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with Islamic teachings.
“All 17 SDGs of the United Nations have corresponding Qur’anic teachings. Poverty is a reflection of zakat and sadaqah for example, and Nigeria is blessed with a lot of potentials to be tapped into. We need to recognise the potentials that we have as Nigerians so that we can tap the resources that are inherent in us,” Adeleke stated.
He called on the participants to take practical steps in unlocking these potentials and advised the government to focus more on youth-driven initiatives. He also warned against sectarianism within the Muslim community, urging unity and collaboration across all groups.
“None of all the potentials we are discussing can be accomplished without unity among everyone in the society, particularly Muslims. Islam preaches unity, and there should be no discrimination about which group you belong to when it comes to collaboration. Tijaniyah or TMC, the goal should be the same,” he emphasised.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, a consultant, highlighted the critical role of grassroots sensitisation in youth development. He warned that neglecting early engagement could lead to an increase in social vices.
“If we are unable to capture kids from the bridges at the grassroots level, we will lose them to social vices and programmes alone will not help keep the kids out of vices or achieve our goals. There is more need for youth training so that they can identify their potentials and maximise it for the benefit of the nation,” Ogunmuyiwa warned.
The conference also featured sessions tailored to leadership development and structural enhancement.
Among the key sessions, Mallam Abdulrauf Badru, the Assets Maintenance Officer, MSSN Lagos, facilitated a workshop on “Rekindling Purposeful Leadership: A Strategic Engagement Framework for MSSN Central Branches.”
His presentation emphasised growth and performance, activities framework, operational alignments, and community support to enhance the direction and impact of MSSN Central Branches.
Alhaji Qaasim Badrudeen, a former Amir, MSSN Lagos State Area Unit, also addressed some of the challenges confronting the Central Branches.
He provided valuable insights and actionable solutions aimed at strengthening the organisation’s structure and operational effectiveness.
Additionally, a new set of executives was officially appointed to lead the Council of Higher Institutions (COHI), an organ of MSSN Lagos responsible for coordinating the activities of higher institutions in the state.
Mallam Abdulqudus Ajenifuja, a 600 Level student, College of Medicine CMUL/LUTH, was announced as the new male coordinator while Halimah Abdulhamid, a 300 Level student of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) emerged as the new female coordinator for the 1446/1447AH (2025/2026) administrative year, alongside 11 other executive members who will serve in various leadership capacities to further the mission and objectives of COHI.
Sponsored
