The Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) Youth Wing has called for youth inclusion in governance and a heightened focus on sustainable practices.

This call was made during the briefing, heralding the five-day event, themed “Global Citizenship Through the Lens of Faith: Connecting Local Actions to Global Outcomes’, which Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Babafemi Hamzat, is the keynote speaker for the formal opening.

The conference held at Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Topo, Badagry, Lagos State featured diverse activities, including leadership training, empowerment workshops, advocacy sessions, sensitization programmes, community outreach, marriage counselling, pitch events and tourism visits for delegates.

The Amir of the NASFAT Youth Wing, Tajudeen Olasupo, stated that the growing need for youth sensitization and impactful engagement necessitated the theme.

“Youths are essential to the development and growth of any society, and this is why NASFAT continues to prioritize them,” Olasupo emphasized. He noted that the conference aims to empower young people for leadership, ideation, and inclusion in decision-making processes.

Olasupo added that the conference serves as a vital platform for networking and knowledge-sharing, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action.

He underscored NASFAT’s commitment to real-world impact beyond religious teachings. “We’re not just about Islam and da’wah. We’re passionate about societal impact and promoting sustainable practices like tree planting. In the last five years, we’ve successfully planted 10,000 trees globally, and we plan to do more.”

The National Ameerah, Ummulkhayr Adeleke, further elaborated on the organization’s ongoing collaborations with various governmental and non-governmental bodies to tackle national challenges.

Chairman of the Conference Central Planning Committee, Alebiosu Sulaiman, noted that this year’s event is part of NASFAT’s 30th-anniversary celebration, which is open to the wider public.

“The conference is inclusive. We have extended invitations to other Muslim organizations, non-Muslim groups, and the general public because we stand for peaceful co-existence,” Sulaiman affirmed.

He urged the government to emulate such initiatives as a means of effectively engaging young people in addressing pressing societal issues.