The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has called on Muslim youths to be constructive in their presentation and agitation.
He gave the admonition at the opening ceremony of the 111th edition of Islamic Vacation Course, IVC organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, B-Zone IVC Permanent Site along Ibadan-Lagos Expressway.
Alhaji Abubakar said the constructive and logical presentation of facts was essential to bringing about peaceful resolutions of agitations or demands.
The Sultan of Sokoto who was represented by the President, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria, MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo enjoined Muslim youths to eschew violence, urging them to embrace peaceful coexistence.
“As we are going into the New Year, we all know the security situation of Nigeria. We should continue to pray for peace”.
“We must pray to overcome insurgence in Nigeria and for the New Year to be good for all of us Muslims and Non-Muslims.”
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State who was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Alhaji Jamiu Olawunmi admonished participants in the vacation course to use the opportunity in renewing their faith and reawaken their spiritual life.
He commended the contributions of MSSN leadership to Nigeria through their Dawah activities in schools and national education across the country.
“I enjoin you all to always propagate good virtues and also propose to all tolerance as well as peaceful coexistence regardless of our geopolitical zones, ethnic or religious practice,” he said.
In a remark, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Noimot Salako congratulated the MSSN on the IVC programme, urging them to remain committed to the propagation of sound morals.
Alhaja Salako admonished participants not to adopt divisive attitudes or confrontations in achieving their goals, advising them to find a way of forming consensus.
“We have to make sure we always cooperate to help ourselves. We must not always see things as conflicts at all times.”
“My brothers and sisters, another election circle is coming. We don’t have to go for elective positions to be relevant in politics.
“Let us all play our part. Let us lend our voices to candidates. Let us support candidates who will not fail. Let’s support candidates that will help us achieve all that we want,” she said.”
The Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Professor Ishaq Oloyede in his lecture urged Muslims to propel the Ummah to greater heights as well as prioritise the education of youths and moral rebirth.
Professor Oloyede who was represented by Dr AbdulWahab Oyedokun said it was imperative to examine the socio-political balance sheet of Nigeria with a view to determining the role expected of Muslims in the continual reconstruction of the society.
He said that the nation was beset with a number of challenges that are traceable to poor social engineering as a result of a breakdown of family values.
“We must strengthen our capacity for managing ideological differences. Those of us in government and public service at both the centre and sub-national levels must re-dedicate ourselves to the plight of masses”.
“We must invest in Islamic schools, be dedicated to reducing poverty and social exclusion of Muslims among others”.
“We owe ourselves the primary obligation of self-appraisal. As Allah’s creatures, it is important to make a critical evaluation of our life’s journey; to ask ourselves questions whether we are actually on course”.
Retired Commissioner of Police, Dr Olayinka Balogun in his lecture entitled “Prevalence of Insecurity in Nigeria and Its Effect on Human Conduct”, said the absence of good governance can perpetuate or cause multidimensional insecurity problems.
He listed causes of insecurity as weak and incapable government, corruption, politics of hatred, unemployment, general discrimination, Impunity as well as the breakdown of traditional institutions.
Dr Balogun said there was the need for the people to rise and ask people in authority to do the needful.
“We have worshipped and obeyed the government, let there arise amongst you now to advise, call on, admonish those in authority to fight corruption, lethargy and open audacity”.
“They should teach deterrence, punish impunities and openly admonish. That is how to fight and curb insecurity, food, life, employment, freedom of movement as well as association,” he said.
Earlier, Barrister Qaasim Odedeji, the Amir/Coordinator, MSSN B-Zone, cautioned those authorities and individuals especially religious bigots who use their positions to infringe on the fundamental rights of Muslim students.
“I want to say that the purported ban will not stay as we will do everything possible to fight against it. We, therefore, identify with the position of MSSN FUNAAB Branch on the issue”.
“And warn that nobody should dare touch any of our sisters in Hijab, and Niqab as anybody doing so will earn the wrath of Muslim students across Nigeria,” he said.
Ridwan Fasasi
