* Hon. Laguda urges Muslims to embrace politics as service, not power garb
* Knowledge, a lifelong obligation for Muslim youths: Ex-Amir
By Sumayyah Adelopo
Islamic scholars, public leaders, and youth advocates have urged Muslims to uphold faith, pursue knowledge, strengthen brotherhood, and embrace purposeful activism as vital tools for navigating contemporary global realities.
These calls were made at the formal opening of the 115th Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, held on Sunday, 28 December 2025, at the Human Capital Development Centre (HCDC), Noforija, Epe, Lagos.
Held under the theme “Global Realities, Eternal Values,” the ceremony set a reflective and action-oriented tone for the programme, blending inspiration with strong messages on leadership, service, and responsibility in a rapidly changing world.
A major highlight of the opening was a fireside conversation with Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda (FKL), who shared insights from his journey in public service and politics.
Laguda urges Muslims to embrace politics as service, not power gerb
Hon. Laguda, member representing Surulere Constituency I in the Nigerian House of Representatives, described politics not as a quest for power but as a platform for service.
He stressed that participation in governance is both a civic duty and a moral responsibility that should not be neglected.
Hon. Laguda emphasised the importance of effective representation, noting the limited number of legislators representing Lagos State at the federal level.
He therefore called on Muslims to engage actively in the political process, warning that apathy weakens collective influence and denies the community a voice in decision-making.
Tracing his political consciousness to family legacy and personal experience, Hon. Laguda recalled his early ambitions, setbacks, and unwavering reliance on faith. “It is not by force. Anything Allah says will be mine,” he said, reflecting on lessons learned through perseverance and trust in Allah.
Mentorship emerged as a recurring theme during the discussion, with Hon. Laguda, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Tertiary Education, admitting that he once underestimated its importance.
He explained that mentors ease the journey by sharing lessons from their own mistakes, helping younger people avoid unnecessary setbacks. When asked about leadership models, he reflected deeply, saying, Who is the grand mentor of all mentors? Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Hon. Laguda encouraged young people to seek guidance from multiple sources, noting that mentorship should not be limited to just one individual. “You can have many mentors. Have plenty of people you look up to,” he advised.
He cited Babatunde Fowler, Former Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, as well as Femi Gbajabiamila, the current Chief of Staff to the President, as key personal influences.
The honorable also addressed the compatibility of faith, professionalism, and politics, underscoring humility, integrity, and God-consciousness (iman and taqwa) as guiding principles.
Sharing personal reflections on loss and upbringing, Laguda noted that discipline and integrity are essential to balancing religious values with public life. “What I can’t do, I won’t do. Discipline is what helps you mix your faith and your profession,” he stated.
Responding to questions on youth empowerment, Hon. Laguda challenged young Muslims to adopt a service-driven mindset rather than one of entitlement. .
“It’s not about what I can do for you; it’s about what you have for me to do for you,” he said, while assuring them of his readiness to support meaningful initiatives.
He also spoke briefly on maintaining balance, describing himself as family-oriented and reflective, adding that for him, politics is not merely a career but a way of life.
Knowledge as a lifelong obligation for Muslim youths: Ex-Amir
Beyond the fireside chat, other speakers reinforced the programme’s core values. Former Amir of MSSN Lagos, Dr. Saheed Ashafa, stressed that faith remains the ultimate value, describing it as the foundation upon which all other values are built.
He highlighted knowledge as indispensable in today’s world, reminding participants that divine revelation itself began with the command to read, and urged youths to commit to lifelong learning.
On brotherhood, Dr. Ashafa emphasised unity and reconciliation as urgent necessities in an increasingly fractured society, calling on young Muslims to rise above divisions and strengthen communal bonds.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Ibrahim delivered a rousing call to action on activism, framing it as a religious and moral duty. Drawing inspiration from Prophet Ibrahim, he urged delegates to internalise activism as a way of life and to stand courageously for Islam.
As the ceremony concluded, Laguda praised the scale and vision of the Human Capital Development Centre, describing it as the largest Islamic-owned facility he had encountered, and offered prayers for its continued growth and impact.
In his closing message, he encouraged participants to remain steadfast in faith and committed to excellence. The formal opening of the 115th IVC thus set a purposeful tone, calling participants to faith-driven leadership, conscious activism, and service anchored in humility, discipline, and unwavering belief in Allah.
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