At UMA lecture, scholars proffer leeway to national transformation
02 April 2023 |
4:02 am
Islamic scholars who gathered at the 1444A.H Ramadan lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Muslim Alumni, have charted paths to national transformation, urging the incoming administration to act fast.
Islamic scholars who gathered at the 1444A.H Ramadan lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Muslim Alumni, have charted paths to national transformation, urging the incoming administration to act fast.
The guest speaker at the event, and the Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisation (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, urged the newly-elected leaders to run an inclusive administration and listen to the yearnings of the people.
The revered Islamic scholar noted that when a policy does not go well with the people, leaders have a responsibility to rethink it.
“Leaders must have listening ears to hear out the needs and cries of the people to work on them. The Amirul Mumineen, Umar Bn Khattab (RA) once made a policy to give incentives to mothers once they stop breastfeeding their children. Then, mothers in the city started hastening to stop their kids from breastfeeding.
“One night, the Amir Umar was walking round the streets in disguise when he heard the cries of a baby. He instructed the mother to breastfeed the baby but she replied that she would not benefit from the monthly incentives of the state if the baby keeps breastfeeding. So, Umar had to change the policy since it was creating a bigger danger.”
Sheikh Shafi’i also emphasised the need for leaders to always keep firm on justice. He said, “Everyone must be brought to justice and there should be equality before the law. Also, our leaders must invest in security, education, healthcare and other sectors that improve the welfare of the people.
“The major problem we are facing as a society is because many youths are outside there idle. Government must engage these young people meaningfully and provide them employment and empowerment opportunities.”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and guest speaker at the event, Muiz Banire, described leadership in Islam as a trust, amaanah in Arabic, saying that every leader must be accountable to Allah and then the people.
He said, “In Islam, a leader must first and foremost be accountable to Allah, recognising that there are certain parameters Allah has set for leadership. Leadership in Islam is amaanah. You must not breach it at any point in time. Then, you must be accountable to the people and yourself.”
Banire, a principal partner, of M.A. Banire & Associates, also advocated for the promotion of rule without fear or favour and urged leaders to ensure that their governance is participatory.
Speaking further, the ex-APC legal adviser said: “You must equally ensure that there is justice in the land. You must ensure as a transformational leader that the resources of the country are used in the best manner. Your governance, civil service must be efficient and effective”.
Banire called on followers to obey their leaders and constituted authorities.
Former Minister of Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro warned against blind followership, saying that it is high time Nigerians started challenging their leaders.
He said: “We must be able to challenge our leaders and not treat them as god. Once somebody is in public office, you see everybody around behaving as if they are on a slave plantation. That is not the way it’s supposed to be.”
UMA President, Prof. Khalid Adekoya, said the theme was carefully chosen to diagnose the duties and responsibilities of leaders and the led, adding, “We hope that the conversations and resolution will deepen knowledge and assist in revolving a better society for a better Nigeria for us and generation unborn, among others.
Related
Latest
1 day ago
Abdulazeez Ganduje, the eldest son of the suspended national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, paid a visit to the chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhyi Rimingado, at his office. Mr. Abdulazeez visited Mr. Rimingado on Wednesday evening to show his support for the chairman's anti-corruption efforts.…
1 day ago
NATIONAL Coordinator of presidential Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain initiative, domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, has disclosed that Nigeria imports 70 per cent pharmaceuticals, 99 per cent medical devices and 100 per cent vaccines. Mukhtar, in his presentation, yesterday, at the 11th Medic West Africa exhibition in Lägos, healthcare…
1 day ago
The Nigerian Army said it will probe the two soldiers allegedly involved in a reported case of theft at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos. Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. Onyema said the Army is deeply concerned about the alleged involvement of two of its personnel in the…
1 day ago
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has denounced the actions of Bello El-rufai, a federal lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency. Bello is the son of immediate past governor Nasir El-Rufai. The assembly alleged that El-rufai attempted to obstruct the assembly's investigation into financial dealings and project implementation from 2015-2023 in the state. The assembly…
1 day ago
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a review of the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) for banks, from 65 percent to 50 percent. The aim of the review is to align with the current monetary tightening. The apex bank disclosed this in a circular on Wednesday titled ‘Re: Regulatory Measures to Improve Lending to the…
1 day ago
Debt servicing may have been responsible for the drop in Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $34.45 billion to $32.61 billion within one month. Speaking at the ongoing Springs meeting of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, the United States, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso said some…
1 day ago
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) will on Thursday, April 18, 2024 arraign a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. He will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering…
1 day ago
A Brazilian woman Érika de Souza Vieira wheeled the corpse of her uncle 68-year-old Paulo Roberto Braga into a bank on Tuesday. Vieira wanted her dead uncle to sign off on a 17,000 reais ($3,250) loan to her. But she was arrested shortly after entering the bank. “Uncle, are you listening? You need to sign…
1 day ago
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dragged Justice Usman Na'Abba of the Kano High Court for allegedly breaching the extant provision of the law while granting an Ex-parte motion suspending its national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from the party. In a petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, and the NJC,…
1 day ago
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has distanced itself from the widely reported news that the Northern region regrets voting for President Bola Tinubu. NEF in a statement by its Deputy Director General II, Salisu Mohammed, said the forum is not engaged in the politics of the 2027 election or decided on whom to support or…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.