Guardian Nigeria
Towards fostering sustainable marital relationship among Nigerians, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Lagos State Chapter has emphasised on the importance of parental guidance.
The group during its 36th Eid’l Fitri Family Day celebration which was attended by a number of sisters’ organisations from both Islam and Christian religion such as Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOMICAN), Muslim Association of Visually Impaired in Nigeria (MAVIN), Students and others, addressed the theme of ‘Parental Guidance: Building Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Marital Relationships’.
Speaking at the event, FOMWAN Amirah, Lagos Chapter, Alhaja Sherifat Ajagbe, said the family day celebration is an occasion to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. “It is the tradition of the group to come together yearly to renew the love, sense of belonging, strengthen our bond as a family as well as refill physical and spiritual capacities. This year the focus is on proper parenting which is very crucial in this present society filled with vices.”
Also speaking, guest lecturer, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, urged parents not to rub their children off their paternity out of family differences. “Don’t call any child a bastard if the child is not one; don’t deny your child right to his or her progenitor. Proper parenting entails consultation. Couples must consult one another, even when one of the partners is demised, his or her family should be consulted before deciding on the child’s welfare.”
Oloyede also advised parents to be good role models to their children and train them to be God-conscious. “Make the home conducive for your children, provide for them so that they don’t become wayward, talk to them, teach, discipline and advise them.”
On her part, The Chairman, President Jama-at-ul Islamiyat of Nigeria, Alhaji Hashim Oyekan, who commended women’s efforts in running day-to-day activities of the home said: “Parenting is to death, May God Almighty make it easy for us. There is more to do as a parent, most especially in this era.”
Chairperson, Pro-Chancellor, Al-Ikmah University Kwara State, Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf, also urged mothers to train their children in accordance to tenant of Islam, noting that the height of immorality among youth is alarming.”
Meanwhile, the group also called for support for the ongoing capital project of the organisation, the Primary Health Care Centre at Elesan Village in Eti Osa Local Council.
According to the FOMWAN Amirah, Lagos Chapter, “the construction of the primary health centre started towards the end of 2023 and it is already at a significant stage, but we still have a long way to go. No doubt the current inflation has affected the pricing of materials and the shortage of funds has thus taken a toll on the project. “On behalf of FOMWAN Lagos, I appreciate our fathers, mothers and everyone who has contributed in cash or kind towards the realisation of the project. May Allah continually meet us all at the points of our needs.”
