Group urges Muslims to invest in education

The Council of Muslim School Proprietors (CSMP) has enjoined Muslims to invest more in education as a way to empower the faithful and sustain the legacy of religious leaders who founded Muslim schools in various parts of the country.

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the organisation, the council confers recognition of service award to Muslim philanthropist whose commitment, dedication and sincerity of purpose remained as reference point to Nigerian education system.

The President of Council of Muslim School Proprietors, Alhaji Sulaiman Afolabi, applauded the dedication, commitment and sincerity of the founding fathers of the council.

He said: “I have had a deep reflection on the lives of the founding fathers and the successive leaders of the council, I have come to the conclusion that we are fast loosing the golden era of true leadership by example and that is, if we have lost it. In my candid opinion, what the present generation is doing can best be described as showmanship without anything to show for it.

“This is unlike the era of the leaders we are celebrating today whose commitment, dedication and sincerity of purpose remain as reference point. They had this uncommon attitude of selfless service, particularly on Muslim education that leaves one wondering what personal benefit they stood.”

He called on Muslims to identify with the council in order to sustain the legacies of past leaders.

“For the council to remain relevant all the family members must pay attention to the council more than before. Please let us all look in the direction of this council and do all that is humanly possible to keep the flag flying. If we do, we would sustain the legacies of the founding fathers. Their labours would then not be in vain,” he stated.

The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abdul Rasak Oladejo, urged Muslims to invest in education so that the work of the founding father does not go in vain.

“If the funding father does not invest in education we will not have most of the Muslim schools we have today, he said.

He urged Muslims to ensure the proper management of the existing schools build new ones and set in motion the mercenary for the establishment of a university for the movement.

Founder and Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged Muslims to invest in education in order to curb most of the challenges Muslim children face in the course of seeking for knowledge.

He cited the issue of International school Ibadan where female Muslim student in hijab were force to remove it.

“All those schools where our daughters are being denied their Allah-given fundamental human rights were built with public funds. They are our common patrimony because Muslims are also taxpayers. There is no Christian Central Bank of Nigeria just as there is no Muslim Central Bank. Public schools belong to all.”

Among those that receive awards are: Alhaji Jimoh Gbadamosi, Alhaji Sulaimon Afolabi, Alhaji Hamed Tajudeen Ashiru, Alhaji Dauda Banjo, Ustaz Taoheed Shoboyede, Alhaji Abdul Waheed Aina, Alhaji Ali yusuf, Chief Imam Bashirudeen Ali, Alhaja Taibat Aka-Bashorun, Alhaja Faosat Awelenje, Alhaja Wusamot Adegoke.

While Posthumous awards were also giving to the families of the following late past heroes: Late Alhaji Jibril Martin, Late Hon. Shittu Tanimowo Rufai, Late Alhaji Lias Akinola Salami, Late Alhaji Khalid Olatunde Ipaye, Late Alhaji Chief Imam Abdul Kareem Laguda, Late Alhaji Disu Oshodi, Late Pa Badiru Daramola, Late Alhaji Raheem Ogunfemi, Late Proff. Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa, Late Alhaji Raimi Oladejo, Late Alhaji Bisiriyu Yussuff, Late Sheikh Abiola Shittu Ishola, Late Maulana Muhammad Saifi, Late Alhaja Faosat Afolabi,