The Nation Newspaper

Category: Femi Abbas

  • Zamzam @ UI

    A Nigerian foremost University popularly called Premier University (the University of Ibadan) will be 70 years in 2018. Yet, despite its popularity and age, this highly revered institution has consistently lacked certain essential amenities, including water, in the past few decades. This situation has randomly caused students’ unrests thereby forcing the University to close down for months.

     

    Philanthropic Gestures

    It takes the efforts of some conscientious Nigerian philanthropists to respond to occasional beckons from some concerned dons in the institution.

    One of such beckons got a response penultimate Tuesday, July 11, 2017, when a borehole donated by a well known philanthropist, Dr. S. O. Babalola was commissioned. Dr. Babalola is the Deputy President-General (South) of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and President of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN).

     

    Donation of the Borehole

    The Head of Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Professor K. K. Oloso had appealed to Dr. Babalola to donate a borehole to the three departments that have become a tripod in a proverbial academic siberia having been fused together and detached like boys’ quarters of a mansion. And, characteristically, the well known philanthropist gladly obliged.

     

    Commissioning

    While commissioning the borehole, at the request of the University, Dr. Babalola who was accompanied by his wife, Alhaja Halimat Babalola, said inter alia:

    “,,,,The borehole that we are commissioning today is a donation in memory of my beloved mother, Alhaja Muniratu Abeje Babalola and on her behalf.  She brought me up with affection and with compassion along the path of righteousness.

    The least I could do by way of appreciation is, among other things, to fund beneficial projects in her name with fervent prayers and hope that Allah accept these as Sadaqatun Jariyyah (Perpetual Charity) for which she would be rewarded richly and eternally in her Barzakh before Judgement Day and in al-Jannah(Paradise). This borehole is one of such humble projects.

    It is my wish and hope that it will further facilitate the acquisition of  beneficial knowledge and promote God-consciousness and religious harmony both of which, obviously, our country is badly in need of.

    I have taken note of the demand that I provide an electricity generator to ensure constant supply of power and thus maximize the use of the borehole. I will get back to you on this demand in due course, in shaa’aLlaah (God willing)”.

     

    Essence of Water

    Water is life. It is only with water that man, animals, birds, plants and insects can be deemed to be in existence. Without water, no living organism can survive. One fastest means of providing portable and durable water these days is borehole. The amount of water contained in a borehole and the natural purity of such water are unprecedented. Thus, whoever provides or facilitates the provision of pure, drinkable water is a provider of life. It can therefore be concluded that with the provision of a borehole for the mentioned three departments at U. I,  Dr. S. O. Babalola has brought life not only to the people in those Departments but also to the entire Faculty of Arts and even some other adjoining faculties on the campus.

     

    The Like of ZamZam

    In his opening prayer at the commissioning of the borehole, Professor Abdul Hafeez Oladosu of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies hypothetically likened the borehole to the world’s oldest and purest well called Zamzam. He  beseeched the Almighty Allah to enable the commissioned borehole become a mini Zamzam that could serve the University of Ibadan community today, tomorrow and forever just like Zamzam. The word Zamam meaning ‘stop, stop’ is originally Coptic, which was the language of Prophet Ibrahim’s second wife (Hajarah). She was from an empire called El-Kipt which the Europeans later corruptly pronounced as Egypt. That empire was situated in Africa confirming that human civilization began from African continent.

     

    History of ZamZam

    Historically, Zamzam was a product of necessity. It sprang miraculously some thousands of years ago at the sacred House of Allah called Ka’abah in Makkah. Zamzam became a blessing for the people of Makkah and later for the entire mankind through Hajj, at the instance of Prophet Ibrahim’s first son (Ismail). At infancy, Ismail needed water badly with his mother, Hajarah, in the scorching heat of what later came to be known as Arabia where they (mother and son) were left to fend for themselves without any matrimonial assistance.

    Hajarah was Prophet Ibrahim’s second wife who was brought down to Makkah with her son by Prophet Ibrahim to sojourn permanently in the Sacred valley of Makkah with a view to safeguarding the Sacred House under the guidance of Allah.

     

    Hajarah’s Entrance

    Prophet Ibrahim had to seek a second wife on the advice of his first wife, Sarah, when he reached the age of 86 years without any hope of child bearing. Sarah herself had then attained the age of 70. As a reflection of love and faith, she recommended her house maid, Hajarah to her husband for marriage. But characteristic of women, Sarah, along the line, became uncomfortable with Hajarah’s position as a co-wife of her husband especially after the latter became a mother, and requested for her relocation to a far distance with her son. Prophet Ibrahim had to relocate Hajarah and her son if only to have matrimonial respite. Today, the rest is history.

     

    Location of Zamzam

    Zamzam is located some 20 metres or 66 feet away from the entrance door of the Ka’abah. It is well  located within 20 m (66 ft) east of theKa ‘ba in the Haram.

    The water came into existence when the little boy, Ismail was thirsty and kept crying. His mother became restless and started running up and down especially between the two symbolic Hill of Safa and Marwa. It was at this anxious moment that the innocent boy scratched the floor with his feet only for a spring to miraculously surge out with pure, drinkable water to the greatest surprise of Hajarah who had to shout at the spring saying Zam, Zam meaning stop, Stop to suppress the gorge of the spring water. Ever since, the spring has never sopped flowing. Today, millions of pilgrims visit the well each year while performing Hajj  and Umrah pilgrimages.

     

    Quality of Zamzam Water

    Zamzam water is unique in its hydrogeological features. It is not only  colourless and odorless but also has a distinct taste, with a pH of 7.5-7.7, indicating that it is alkaline to some extent. Its mineral concentration, according to a report of research carried out

    at  King Saud University in Riyad is as follows:

    Mineral                                               Concentration

    mg/L      oz/cu in

    Sodium                                   133       7.7×10″5

    Calcium                                  96         5.5×10″5

    Magnesium                             38.88    2.247×10″5

    Potassium                              43.3      2.50×10—5

    Bicarbonate                             195.4    0.0001129

    Chloride                                  163.3    9.44×10—5

    Fluoride                                  0.72      4.2×10—7

    Nitrate                                    124.8    7.21×10—5

    Sulfate                                    124.0    7.17×10—5

    Total dissolved solids          835       0.000483

     

    Impact of U. I’s  Borehole

    Small as U. I’s  borehole project may seem, its impact will surely be bigger than any imagination attributable to it. When it becomes fully operational, the borehole will eliminate the messiness of the toilets around and reduce unnecessary agitations by students to the barest minimum.

     

    Zamzam Research Centre

    The Saudi geological survey has a “Zamzam Research Centre” which analyses the technical properties of the well in details. It is through this Centre that water levels were monitored from time to time in the past with the use of hydrograph now has changed to a digital monitoring system that tracks the water level, electric conductivity of pH and as well as temperature.

    All of this information is made continuously available to other research institutes and other interested people of the world through the Internet.

    To preclude any possible abuse, the Saudi government has prohibited any commercial export of Zamzam water from the kingdom.

     

    Destination

    The Zamzam well is a destination for millions of pilgrims each year, who visit specifically to drink the holy water.

    The Zamzam well is a destination for millions of Muslim pilgrims who go for Hajj each year. Some of those pilgrims do visit Zamam specifically to drink from its holy water for spiritual solution to their problems.

    It is believed that the well had two cisterns in the past, one for drinking and the other for ablution.

     

    Universality of Zamzam

    In virtually all the countries of the world, Zamzam water is in use for one spiritual purpose or the others. Thus,, it is evident that there is no country in the world today without a token of Zamzam directly or indirectly since the world’s population of the Muslims is over 7 billion spread across nations and continents.

     

    Conclusion

    Today, if any water is considered absolutely potent socially and spiritually it can only be Zamzam. Its miraculous origin as well as its age and continuity of flow have confirmed this assertion. There is no water like Zamzam in the world and there can be no water like it till the end of time. Zamzam is the wealth of nations and not just that of Makkah.

     

    Peculiar Features of Zamxam

    1. It has never dried up. Rather, it has always fulfilled the thirsty yearning of people for water.
    2. It has consistently maintained the same divine aquatic composition and taste ever since it came into existence. Its portability has always been universally acknowledged as pilgrims from all over the world visit Ka’aba every year for Hajj and Umrah and none has ever complained about the purity and durability of its water.
    3. The usual biological growth of vegetation around all wells is alien to Zamzam well. This is an indication that Zamzam water cannot be naturally polluted. Today, over 173 million people are presumed to be direct or indirect consumers of Zamzam water annually. And that is about 10% of the world’s Muslim population. Where else can such a natural well be fund?

    We pray the Almighty Allah to repose the soul of Mama Babalola in eternal bliss and reward her worthyson, Dr. S. O. Babalola, OON, abundantly here on earth and in the hereafter. Amin.

  • Lagos govt, scholars mourn Sheikh Zuglool

    Lagos govt, scholars mourn Sheikh Zuglool

    Lagos State government and some renowned Islamic scholars have paid glowing tributes to the founder and Mudir of Dharu-Dawa-Wal Irshad in Isolo, Lagos, Sheikh Mustapha Sanusi Zuglool.

    The eminent Islamic scholar died last Wednesday and was buried the following day, according to Islamic rites. He was 80.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, who represented the state government at the burial, described the deceased as scholars’ scholar.

    According to him, the mammoth crowd at the burial attested to Sheikh Zuglool’s good character.

    AbdulLateef said: “It is unfortunate we lost such a good person at a time the nation needs people of wisdom to guide the youths. He was a great scholar, who has also brought up many other scholars. He is also survived by good children.

    “Some pray to die in the Holy Land (saudi Arabia) so that many could gather for their Janazah, but Sheikh Zuglool’s burial also attracted thousands of people. Allah has really blessed him.”

    Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN) Chief Missioner Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad said Sheikh Zuglool’s death came as a rude shock but death is inevitable.

    Sheikh Ahmad said: “His death is such a very great loss to the Ummah. By all standard, Sheikh Zuglool was an intellectual giant and when learned people like him dies, the light of the community starts to diminish, then darkness gradually takes over. This is because learned people are the light of the society, they illuminate, spiritually, physically and mentally. So, the death of leaned people like Zuglool is worrisome. It is a great loss to the society, it is not an ordinary death, it is the death of a leaned man; not even an ordinary learned man but a giant among the learned men.”

    Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Mufti Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I described Sheikh Zuglool’s death as a colossal loss to the nation especially the Muslim ummah.

    “He was a great historian, whose knowledge of Middle East can’t be doubted. One can call him an encyclopaedia of Middle East knowledge. He was one of the few that were very versed on the issues in that region. He lived a fulfilled life and was exemplary in conduct. His lifestyle was moderate despite having wealthy people around him. We pray Allah grant him paradise,” he said.

    Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Director Prof Ishaq Akintola said: “He was a great Islamic Scholar, an indefatigable preacher, a mentor primus inter pareil and a humanist par excellence. He stands on the same pedestal as the late Shaykh Adam Al-Ilori.”

    According to Sheikh Abdullah Akinbode, “Baba was a colossus of virtues, citadel of knowledge and epitome of morality.”

    NASFAT Acting Chief Missioner Sheikh Abdullazeez Onike said: “We have lost a scholar! Sheikh Zuglool was a scholar by all standards. His style of tafsir was unparalleled; you will think he was a professor of History. We in NASFAT will never forget him because he kicked-off our Ramadan Tafsir and since it has been wonderful. Indeed, we have lost a great scholar in Nigeria.”

    Secretary, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, (MMPN) Lagos Chapter, Haroon Balogun described late Zuglool as a respected scholar, a stockroom of knowledge, an erudite Historian who contributed tremendously to development of Islam particularly among the youths.

    “Like Sheikh Adam Al Ilori, he mentored a lot of younger Muslims leaving behind enduring legacies for the generation unborn. May Allah forgive him and admit his soul into Aljanah Firdaus.”

  • SDG: The turning of the screw

    In journalism, what makes news are uncommon incidents in uncommon places at uncommon times. These days, most news stories, are rather sad than pleasant because of their common identities. The phenomenon that dominates news stories nowadays is generally tendentious and prone to sadness. That is why the hitherto uncommon news stories have become common even as the usually known common stories have become uncommon. Thus, any pleasant news these days may sound like no news at all even if is to the benefit of mankind. The topic here today is a typical example of a good news with a sour taste.

     

    MDG and SDG

    How many Nigerians know what Milennium Development Goal (MDG) or Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) means? These two concepts were initiated by deep-thinking people from outside the African Continent who felt pity for the less privileged people especially those of Africa. It was meant to be the turning of the scew for the downtrodden masses of the developing countries. MDG was initiated at the commencement of the 21st century in year 2000. Its aim was to introduce a new, favourable economic and environmental trend to the poor people of Africa and the rest of the world through a new empowerment era in the new millennium. As a new idea MDG was test run for 15 years from 2999 to 2015. But unfortunate, very few people knew of it and its benefit until about 2015 when it was almost rolling off.

    Thus, when it became clear that the 15 year programme was rolling off without the knowledge of those for whom it was meant, a new precept was coined as an addendum to mdg. That new precept was called SDG.  And except for such efforts as the conference under report here, the 15 years of SDG too may roll out unnoticed.

     

    Conference of religious leaders

    Two weeks ago, (June 21, 2017), Some representatives of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and those of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) met at Osun State University, Osogbo, to commonly deliberate on an uncommon subject that is common to all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, faith and political affiliations. It was a rare conference. The forum that brought those religious leaders together was facilitated by a popular Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Nigeria (SDSN) coordinated by Professor Labode Popoola, who, incidentally, is the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo. Each of the Muslim and Christian bodies was represented by about 10 clerics while the traditional religionists were absent for a reason best known to them. The NSCIA delegation was led by Prof D. O.S. Noibi, a member of the General Purpose Committee of NSCIA and the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of the Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN). Yours sincerely was on that delegation.

     

    Observation

    The issue here is not about religion per se. But in the wisdom of the organisers of the conference, religion is a veritable means of mobilising Nigerian citizens for any good and beneficial venture in the contemporary time.  This is because religion has virtually become the last bastion of hope for most Nigerians as an aftermath of economic failure in the country. Thus, any idea that requires quick dissemination and popular support must involve religious leaders who control the minds of Nigerian worshippers in Churches and Mosques. The objective was to allow for spiritual inputs into human social services for the wellbeing of mankind. What does the Qur’an or the Bible say about Sustainable Development Goa? And how can these help the growth of the society?

     

     Why the Religions?

    According to Professor Popoola who explained the involvement of religious leaders:

    “The recognition of the engagement of religions in the sustainable development agenda is that of their commitments to fundamental service to humanity and serving communities.

    These commitments are through divine preaching and exemplary leadership in the expression of respect for the creatures, protecting nature, reinforcing people’s trust and confidence at good deeds and rewards”.

     

    Motive of the SDG           

    Analysing the real motive of the SDG, Professor Popola said: “The SDGs were developed as a road map for inclusive growth, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability, to succeed the former Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that started in 2000 and ended in 2015.

    These goals were based on a common knowledge that our world is faced with very many complex challenges, ranging from socio-economic, environmental challenges; and natural disasters. The 17 SDGs became operational since January, 2016

    How much do we know about these goals and how do we spread the knowledge about them to inspire actions at all levels and across regions.

    The past experiences on developmental agenda implementation revealed many gaps, including lack of effective stakeholders’ mobilization and participation, which is addressed by the new shift to inclusiveness and ownership.

    In response to, and in recognition of the above facts, we note that Nigeria is a religious country and in fact it is very rare to find a Nigerian without religious inclination.

    In other words, every citizen has one or more religious leader (s) he or she is attached to. More so, statistics show that there are more worship places in every settlement and cities than socio-economic structures.

     

    Evidence of facts

    Evidence reveals that every class in our society respects religious leadership even more than government institutions.

    Therefore, engagement of religions in the process of implementation of, and action on SDGs is very crucial to achieving the deliverables of the Agenda at all levels.

     

    Priority

    The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Nigeria (SDSN Nigeria) prioritizes holding this high level forum with religious leaders in the country under the umbrella of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Traditional Religion Groups.

    “We believe that this choice of ours is very strategic, timely and relevant to all of us especially at this period when our country is making progress in the war against extremism, terrorism, corruption, intolerance, insecurity, economic recession, unemployment and all sort of humanitarian crises.

     

    Sustaining the momentum

    More than ever before, we need to maintain the tempo and sustain the progress for increased momentum in peace, economic recovery, socio-welfare and security, human prosperity and safe environment

    We hope that the forum will help in propagating the ideas of SDGs for optimization of its benefit to humanity. The space here does not allow for details.

     

    History of Sustainable Development

    In a paper delivered through Power Point by Dr. S.O. Jimoh of the Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ibadan and entitled: ‘The Roots of the Concept of ‘Sustainability’, the idea of ‘progress ‘ as the antecedent to the notions of ‘development’ became known.

    In the lecture, Dr. Jimoh, quoting one Bury 1932,  explained that the idea of progress as emphasizing ‘that civilization has moved, is moving, and will move in a desirable direction’ .

    “Thinking about progress slowly started surfacing during the classical Greco-Roman period (Guthrie, 1950)

     

    The Roots…

    The French scientist, Fontenelle first articulated the Idea of ‘Progress’ in 1683 saying that mankind, with the new science and improved technology had entered on a road of necessary and unlimited progress’ (Von Wright, 1997).

    “The idea reached its peak in the Western civilization in the period between 1750 and 1900. During that period, the link between progress and modern, empirical, and exact science was consolidated according to Nisbet,1980 and Von Wright,1997.

     

    The Revolution

    The Industrial Revolution started unfolding on the world stage from the 18th century; irrevocably transforming human societies (Worster,1993). According to Worster (1993),Industrialization caused ‘the greatest revolution in outlook that has ever taken place’.

    It led people to think that it was right for them to dominate the natural order and radically transform it into consumer goods.

    The benefits and rewards of the world economic system flowed primarily to the industrial countries, the gap between the rich and poor societies widened.

     

    Environmental degradation

    A big issue linked to industrial development, was environmental degradation caused by an unprecedented exploitation of raw materials on a global scale as indicated by Goudie, 1986 and Boyden 1997. This led to a growing concern universally, about ‘sustainability’.

     

    Emergence of the term ‘Sustainability’

    Landmarks in Sustainable Development Since 1968 when the International Conference for ‘Rational Use and Conservation of the Biosphere’ held in Paris, France was organized by UNESCO, series of similar conferences have been held on ecological sustainable development.

     

    1987 Report on Environment

    In 1987, the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development popularized the term ‘Sustainable Development’. The report now known as Our Common Future  Brundtland Report defined ‘sustainable development’ as “…development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

    Also, in 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and known as Earth Summit was established as a common goal of human development for about160 countries that attended the meeting.

    It recognized sustainable management of forests as key component to sustainable development and included non-binding Statement of Forest Principles that provided guidelines for sustainable forest management. Many other conferences were held around the world to salvage the world from the threat of environment.

     

    Conclusion

    The evolution of the concept of Sustainable development is born out of the compelling need to balance the human drive for better living with the necessity to preserve the environment which provides the required resources to power the drive.

    Therefore, for our development to be sustainable, we must manage and utilize resources wisely so that those coming behind can remain useful perpetually.

    The conference was just a first step for religious bodies to get familiar with the SDG and environment. More may be written in this column on this subject as further efforts are made along this line to educate Nigerian public through religious leaders.

  • Biafra: Nuruddeen Lemu’s posting

    Yoruba language, being a phonemic language written in morphemic script, may not be philologically rich in vocabulary and grammar. Its adopted script may may have limited its ambition to spread beyond the shores of its native speakers. But this kwa ‘linguistic bud’ in the armpit of Congo-Bantu family of languages is exceptionally rich in proverbs and adages. It is quite capable of serving as the jewel of African languages if serious and dedicated efforts are made to enrich it through a redesigning of its script and thereby wean it from the ladle of a dead language like Latin.

    Readers may be at sea relating today’s article in this column with the context it carries. The immediate motivator of this article is the thought of an axiomatic Yoruba adage that goes thus: “If, in a games forest, trees fall severally upon one another, the clearing should start from the top”.

     

    Change of topic

    At the point of writing this article a patriotic Nigerian of Arewa origin sent a thought-provoking article into my box which I found sharable and decided to share with other numerous readers of this column. The article was written by Nurudden Lemu, a supposed prominent member of Arewa Youths who entitled it:  RE: 1ST October Igbo Evacuation: Just thinking Aloud

     

    Here it goes unedited: Attachments

    I honestly believe, or choose to believe that the call by some of my Northern/Arewa brothers and sisters for the evacuation of Igbos from the north by the 1st of October was probably only meant to demonstrate to the authorities that Hate Speech is game they can play too.

    I also think it was meant to help drive home the point that Igbos have major economic interests across the North which they should admit, appreciate and be grateful for, and stop behaving as if everyone else is their parasite. That we should each respect our mutual interdependence and dignity, and stop behaving as if we are a nation better off without each other.

    “I believe that the call for an actual evacuation was in no way meant to be taken literally and seriously. Or so I hope.

    However, it seems that some are taking the “game” a little too seriously and are even looking forward to business opportunities, job vacancies and promotions as a result of an Igbo-free Arewa.

    It is for this reason that I’d like to do ask some questions with the hope of getting us to think through and more deeply about the possible consequences of such an ultimatum, even if it was notmeant to be executed.

    What the longer term political and economic arrangements will finally look like is very important, but that is not my present concern in this piece.

    So, and just for the sake of argument and enquiry, I’d like you to please ponder over the following questions:

    ”How would a call for the evacuation of all our peaceful Igbos brothers (Christians and Muslims!) be carried out? Are they all hostile “pro-Biafrans”? Are they not still “innocent until PROVEN guilty”? Are there any plans for equitable compensation? By whom? Can the target of this operation be justified by any ethical or religious principles? Do fairness and justice matter to us?

    “Who will conduct the evacuation operations in the various towns and villages across Arewa and how? Would it be by the army, police or our ever-ready hooligans? Do hooligans know how to identify the difference between the various tribes of the South-South and South East? Or are they simply all “Igbos”?! Can you guess who would be more eager, and in fact not be ready to wait for the October date? Should we please not lift the October deadline while a more peaceful and less risky solution is worked out by our leadership?

    “Would any Igbos want to defend their property and life savings? What if they rightfully defend themselves and resist evacuation? Then what? What happens when one Arewa hooligan gets injured or killed? On whose hands is the blood of any of the innocent dead victims? How many victims should be expected? Who called for it?

    “How do you think the Nigerian Army and security services will respond to a “security situation”? Have we seen them in action before? Who will they target once they land? Will the Army target the GRA parts of town and those who started this, or will the victims once again be the poor and already wretched talakawa and almajiris? Haven’t these people not suffered enough in life already? Should we please not denounce the October “deathline” while a more peaceful and less risky solution is worked out by our leadership?

    “What’s the duration of this evacuation operation? A few hours, days, weeks, months or years? When, where and how will it end? Will there be any violent reprisals in other parts of the country? Who will prevent these?

    “Would an opportunist wait for October 1st, or will fake news and exaggerated rumours start a chain reaction earlier than that date? Who else is interested in anarchy in the North or in Nigeria as a whole? When will some fool or evil genius start that ball rolling? Should we please not denounce the October dead-line while a more peaceful and less risky solution is worked out?

    “Will any perpetrators be taken to court or prison? Will those who called for this be able to call it off once there is blood on the ground? (God forbid!) Will they even still be in the country?

    “How many more widows, orphans and IDPs nationwide? Who will support the new IDP camps? You?! The government? Have we really thought this through? Is this godliness, reason and conscience at work? Do we really want to go down this road?! Is it worth it from any positive angle? Should we please not denounce the October deadline while a more peaceful and less risky solution is worked out?

    “Have you been involved in sharing Hate Speech through any social media? Has the ball started rolling? Were you involved? Who should help stop it? What if we don’t? Who will it hit, or not hit? Who are the ultimate victims of this approach to “ending insults”, “better justice” and “the dignity of Arewa”? Do these ends justify these means? Should we please not condemn the October deathline?

    “Hmmm…. Are all these questions just silly pessimistic and impossible speculation? Is this a real, imminent and very possible scenario that has actually played out in this exact way in other societies? How did genocides and “ethnic cleansing” start elsewhere? Was it not also “like play, like play!?” – “June 12th 1993”?, Southern Sudan, South Africa, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Germany, Poland, the Balkans, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic, Northern Ireland, Everywhere!, etc., etc.!?

    “Are we somehow immune to the laws history and of social cause and effect? Have we really thought this issue through?

    “What is it that is said about wise people learning from other people’s mistakes? What kind of people will we be tagged as, if we make the same mistake twice? Can as many of us as possible (yes, you too!) rise above the ethnic-tribal sentiments that has been the bane of many political and economic instability of failed or failing countries.

    “What are our religious obligations regarding this – irrespective of your faiths? Or is it not a “religious” issue?! Should it be of interest or concern to faithful Muslims, Christians and anyone with a conscience?

    “Should we put this “little” fire out ASAP or should we wait a bit? For what, and for whom? What is the value of any religion, religious leader or religiousity if it can’t help prevent primitive tribal instincts from over-riding our virtues, beliefs and value systems of justice, compassion, wisdom, goodness and humanity? What is God-consciousness for if it can’t correct wrong with the “hand,… tongue,…or heart”?

    “Could calmer and more pragmatic minds like yourself (by God’s will!) go ahead and plan and prevail in your own neighbourhoods, organisations and institutions, etc.? Can you go ahead and reassure the Igbos you know?

    “If one person is being unreasonable, should that justify others behaving in a similar manner? It’s said, that it is easy to blow out a fire while it is still on the matchstick. But once it meets fuel…!!!

    “Should ALL OF US not please DENOUNCE and CONDEMN the October DEADline ASAP, while a more peaceful and less risky solution is worked out?

     

    My sincere prayer?

    May God guide how we answer these questions?

    May God grant us the wisdom to learn from the painful mistakes of others, and not repeat these ourselves.

    May God show us the truth for what it is, and give us the strength to follow it.

    May He also show us falsehood for what it is, and give us the strength to avoid it.

    Wassalamu ‘alaikum – and may PEACE be with you, and upon Nigeria. Ameen!”

  • Not Prof Fafunwa we knew

    Not Prof Fafunwa we knew

    “While man’s desires and aspirations stir, he cannot choose but err; yet in his erring journey through the night, instinctively, he travels towards the light.” Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

    Preamble

    This The writing of this article was motivated by a programme on an Ibadan-based private radio station last Monday. In the programme, an erstwhile foremost Minister of Education, the late Prof Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa was taken to a public laundry for dry cleaning. It was a clear case of professional malady.

    Generally, most private radio stations in Ibadan, are notorious for flagrant abuse and decimation of professional norm in which the practice of electronic journalism lacks decorum as much as it is bereft of professional ethics. This is evidence that Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) is negligent of its supervisory duty.

     

    In the programme

    In the referred programme presented with the usual passion for open incitement and defamation of character, Prof Fafunwa was thoroughly lampooned and called the main enemy of the people in Nigeria’s education sector. He was accused of introducing the 6-3-3-4 system of education that came to disrupt what they called Awolowo’s education legacy.

    The most ridiculous aspect of that programme was to ask the audience to comment on the Professor’s regime as Minister of Education. And all the comments were based on the presentation which was evidently based on rumour and tendentious political cacophony.

     

    Who was Babatunde Fafunwa?

    Yours sincerely had written a commemorative article on the life and time of this honourable gentleman shortly after his demise in 2013. The article is brought here again on his towering personality in especially Nigeria’s education sector. Here it goes:

    “Perhaps no words can capture the life’s odyssey of Nigeria’s most qualitative, most prominent Minister of Education ever, Prof Fafunwa, as the quotation above indicates. The confirmation of this assertion is contained in the Professor’s own autobiography entitled ‘UP AND ON’. And this is emphasized in Qur’an 31:34 thus: “No mortal being knows what he will do tomorrow. No mortal being knows in which land he will die. Only Allah is All-knowing. All-Aware”

    Thus, when Prof Fafunwa was travelling to Abuja on the Thursday preceding his demise in 2012, hardly did he know that he was embarking on his very last journey on earth. His mission in Abuja on that occasion was to receive the Honorary Doctoral Degree (Doctor of Letters) which was to be conferred on him by the National Open University (NOUN). And incidentally, that conferment did not take place after all.

     

    While alive

    While alive and even in death, Prof Fafunwa was like a proverbial elephant surrounded by blind men. You can only describe the part you are able to touch on that mammoth animal and not the whole of it. Born on the 23rd of September 1923, the year Nigeria’s first President, Dr Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe travelled out to the United States in search of the ‘Golden Fleece’ Prof Fafunwa had very early in life identified education as the greatest human pursuit. And he pursued it to the very apex. But like Zik, Fafunwa was to face educational discrimination on his return to Nigeria as his PhD from America was not recognised by the British colonialists who were then suffering from self-elated ego. The man had to accept appointment as a secondary school teacher at Ahmadiyyah College, Agege from where he was posted to Ahmadiyyah Teachers’ College, Ojokoro, as Principal. It took the University of Nigeria, Nsuka to acknowledge his educational value and offered him a befitting lectureship appointment at that University in, 1961, where he rose to become the acting Vice-Chancellor until he had to move to the University of Ife due to the 1967 outbreak of the civil war which made his continued stay in the newly declared State of Biafra unsafe.

     

    At the University of Ife

    At the University of Ife, Prof Fafunwa had to put his fervour in the burner to be able to confront fiercely, the conservative orientation of the British trained lecturers who had joined that university from the University of Ibadan, in order to properly position himself for shooting through the iron gate of life for Nigerians to benefit immensely from a dynamic rather than conservative and anachronistic curriculum of education.

    During his academic sojourn in Nsuka, Prof Fafunwa in cooperation with some of his colleagues in the Department of Education drafted a proposal for the admission of Grade II teachers into a two year Higher Certificate programme in the Faculty of Education. This proposal, the first of its type in Nigeria, paved way for the emergence of what came to be known as Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) as well as the establishment of Colleges of Education in other universities in the country.

     

    His educational contributions

    Hitherto, there was nothing like Faculty of Education in any Nigerian University. But for Prof Fafunwa’s steadfastness and unflinching commitment to education it would have taken the country many, many years to produce qualified and professional teachers at the tertiary level.

    From the University of Ife where he rose to become Deputy and Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fafunwa vehemently advocated for teaching primary school pupils’ in their mother tongues at a time when speaking vernacular language in Nigerian schools was virtually an abomination courtesy of British oriented education. Thus, Prof Fafunwa became the first Nigerian ever to engage in the advocacy for native language as foundation for education in Nigerian schools. And his experiment on that proposition proved to be a great success.  Also in his richly comprehensive book entitled ‘History of Education in Nigeria’ Prof Fafunwa called for the teaching of religious and moral education as bedrock for social discipline and moral decency in the country. If that proposition had been faithfully implemented Nigeria would have been quite different from what she is today.

     

    His worth

    Prof Fafunwa was virtually everything any gentleman would have wished to become education-wise in life. Were it possible to have a President of Education in Africa, he would have been. But as a fervent believer in Daniel Webster’s school of thought about life, he never saw anything extraordinary in becoming a Minster or a Governor or a President. To him any such position was only worth occupying when it was meant to serve humanity. Thus, like Webster, he believed that every material position in the life of man was a vanity which could be consigned to the debris of life especially when not used to serve mankind. For this reason this ‘nonsuch icon’ considered his greatest achievement in life as the footprint he was to leave behind by the time he would have been no more.

     

    Webster’s philosophy

    For those who are lettered enough to know, Daniel Webster’s school of thought is vividly reflected in one of his poems which goes thus: “If we work marble it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and instil in them just principles, we are then engraving that upon tablets which no time can efface but will brighten into all eternity”.

    At a time when it was extremely difficult to become educated in Nigeria and still remain a Muslim, Prof Fafunwa courageously brought his natural obduracy, superstitiously believed to be characterised of September children, to bare thus daring all prevailing odds and breasting the tape where his pares fell by the way side. He never allowed the Islamic glorious flag handed over to him at his tender age to slip away from his hands. He held on tenaciously to that flag even far away in the United States where racial discrimination and religious apathy held sway at that time.

     

    Not about education alone

    Prof Fafunwa was not all about education alone. He was also as much about religion especially Islam believing rightly that the former was only a formidable foundation for the latter. Thus until his demise, he was involved in many Islamic matters affecting the lives of Nigerian Muslims.

     

    His religious role

    He was not only a one time President of Jama’atu Islamiyyah Society and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, he was also a founding member of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN) as far back as 1959. He later became the President of that organisation and remained a strong pillar of its Board of Trustees till his demise in 2012. Also, at the formation of the Muslim Ummah of Southest Nigeria (MUSWEN) in 2008, Prof Fafunwa was not just a founding member but a key player and because of his role, he was unanimously elected as the first President-General of that umbrella body, the position he held till his death.

     

    Impression

    To people who value only Prof Fafunwa’s worldly activities, what matters might be his paper qualification and positions he occupied. But to the Professor and the Muslim brothers and sisters who were close to him, those qualifications and positions were just a part of the needed prerequisites for serving humanity and a possible avenue for admission into Al-Jannah.

    Besides playing such great religious roles as listed above, he also played highly beneficial role in the lives of millions of people through education and social service irrespective of their religious convictions. It was such intimidating role he played in religion that qualified him for radio prosecution by his fanatical detractors as the presenter of maligning programme did not hide his morbid hatred for him. He said “the man (Fafunwa) was not known as a Muslim before he became the Minister of Education. It was thereafter that his Muslim name (Aliu) came out”

     

    Membership of educational institutions

    For instance, he was the President for Teacher Education in Africa (1971-1973) and an Executive Committee Member, Anglo-Afro-American Teacher Education (1964-1979). Prof Fafunwa was also a member of the Editorial Board, Journal of West African Education (1964-1979) and Co-Chairman, African Primary Science Workshop of the Educational Development Centre, Newton , Mass, USA , (1965-1975).

     

    His areas of stewardship

    Prof Fafunwa’s areas of stewardship are inexhaustible. But a few may be mentioned here for the benefit of those who may aspire to be like him without exhibiting tendentious envy. They are as follows:

    He was an Executive Member, Nigeria Union of Teachers (1965-1975).

    He was Co-Chairman, EDC-CREDO Conference held at Queens College, Oxford (September11-15, 1967).

    He was a Director, Comparative African Education Study Tour to East and Central Africa (summer, 1966).

    He was an International Member, Kenya Commission on Teacher Education, 1967-1968

    Member, Review of the Educational System in Eastern Nigeria and Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Teacher Education (1963)

    He was University Representative, West African Examination Council (1963-1975)

    He was a Member, Vice-Chancellors’ Committee on the Sixth Form and University Admission (1965-1967)

    Member, University of Ife Delegation to the Founding Conference of the Association of African Universities, Rabat, Morocco (1967)

    Member, Sierra Leone Commission on Higher Education (1969-1970)

    Member, Keppa Delta Pi-Honour Society, New York University Branch, a Professional Society in Education (1955)

    National President, Nigerian Experiment in International Living (1957-1980)

    President and Founder, Nigeria Association for the United Nations, (1957-1961)

    First President, Association of University Teachers, University of Nigeria, Nigeria, Nsukka (1965-1966)

    Member: Vice-Chancellors’ Sub-Committee on Students Admissions, Loans and Scholarships (1963-1964)

    Member, Northern Committee of the West African Examinations Council (1964-1966)

    Chairman of the Research Committee and Governing Board member of the Nigerian Aptitude Testing Unit (1965-1966)

    He was a Member, Certificates Awarding Committee: West African Examinations Council (1965-1968)

    He was Chairman University of Nigeria Senate Committee on Examinations (1964-1966)

    He was Chairman, Board of Examiner and Member of the Governing Board of the Advanced Teacher Training College, Owerri (1963-1966)

    He was Consultant, Franklin Book Publications, Nigeria (1963-1966)

    Member Steering Committee, African Science Programme of the Educational Services Incorporated, Watertown, Mass, U.S.A. (1968-1970)

    He was a member of the 4-Man Committee Investigating the Western Nigeria Development Corporation (1967-1968)

    Member, Primary Education Review Panel, Western State (1967-1968)

    He was Adviser, Lagos Delegation to the Ad-hoc Conference on Nigerian Constitution (1966)

    He was a Member, Udoji Commission’s Sub-Committee on Teachers Conditions of Service Review Panel (1973-1974)

    Prof Fafunwa also pioneered Elementary Science Teaching in Nigeria 1963-1968. He pioneered the University of Ife Six Year Primary School Education in Yoruba (1970-1985). He established Esso West Africa’s Employees in Public Relations Department (1957-1961).

    He established Faculty of Education & Institute of Education, University of Nigeria Nsukka (1963-1966).

    He established Dept. Of Education, Faculty of Education & Institute of Education University of Ife, (1967-1972)

    An Academic of high repute, Prof Fafunwa had 35 published scholarly papers and articles as well as 19 professional books. He also had many distinguished honours here on earth and we believe he will have more in the Hereafter. Most of these earthly honours were from various communities in Nigeria and abroad including the academic circles.

    Prof Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa was married to Mrs. Doris Fafunwa and blessed with four children. We pray the Almighty Allah to repose his soul in eternal bliss. Amin.

  • Biafra: The unchangeable history

    This was not the article meant for this column today. The original plan was to continue the theological analysis of Ramadan in continuation of last Friday’s article. But since the circumstances of life are not the same, the need to change gear becomes warranted here.

    Yoruba Adage

    An axiomatic Yoruba adage was rekindled last week when some self-seeking elements called Biafra agitators came forth with a fabricated quotation from no source and credited it to the first Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. The deliberate fabrication was meant to be a justification for their evil agitation

    in a restive inconsequential game of rebellion. The Yoruba adage goes thus: “Any slave that wants to illegally hijack a bequeathed estate (of an orphan) will surely want to fabricate a rootless history to justify his dubious but inordinate claim”.

    The true manifestation of that adage cannot be better experienced at any other time in Nigeria than now. In a desperate effort by some incurably tribal political marauders claiming to be Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and their Igbo partners in arms named Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to find reason for their rabid desire for secession, an historically injurious fabrication was hurriedly added to the existing cyber garbage with the

    intent of forcing it down the throats of innocent Nigerians who are expected to consume the poison and swallow it hook line and sinker.

    Tell us another

    The fabricated lie credited to Ahmadu Bello is as follows: “The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather Othman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the north as willing tools and the south as a conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future.”

    Now, take a second cursory look at that quotation and any rational human being will ask rational question.

    The statement was said to have been made as a by the late Northern Premier as a Christmas message to Northern Nigerian Christians on October 12, 1960. Haba!  Why would a well-informed personality like Ahmadu Bello give a Christmas message in October when he knew that December was the time of Christmas in Nigeria? Even if he was not a politician, could he have presented such a recklessly venomous statement to his followers as a goodwill message? When blatant liars are fabricating lies, they hardly think of the situation of listeners or readers. What kind of Christmas message would a Premier of Ahmadu Bello give give in October when he knew that that Christmas season was invaraiably December in Nigeria? Were the Northern Nigerian Christians of the 1950s and 60s so idiotic that they could not understand the Premier’s message and distinguish the wheat from the chaff? What was their response to the message? Liars hardly think of the implications of their lies while fabricating them. These so-called Biafra agitators will need a new fabrication for the generation of their age bracket to justify their thoughtless claim. The fabricated one as become stale and unsellable.

    Facts of history

    “The truth has come and falsehood has vamoosed; surely, falsehood is meant to vamoose (in the presence of the truth)”.  Q. 17: 81 History is like a phenomenal weather which all people of an area feel at once and which no individual or group can unilaterally alter by sheer whim. The more you try to alter it the more it firmly re-establishes itself. Whether it is interpreted and relayed positively or negatively, the fact remains that history is not anybody’s personal property and cannot be anybody’s monopoly. The dramatic personae in the amphitheatre of history are too many and too variant to be taken for granted. For instance, we know as a matter of historical fact that the Nigeria handed over to Nigerian politicians by the colonialists at independence was a loose federation of regional units. Each unit was constitutionally at liberty to grow according to the magnitude or limit of its economic resources.

    We know, and we have not forgotten that the first shot at the Presidency of Nigeria in 1963 was taken by an Igbo man, Dr. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe who occupied the office of Mr. President until January 15, 1966 when Nigeria’s first republic was forcefully terminated via an all Igbo planned military coup.

    We know that the preparation for that coup had started in 1953 when a frontline Igbo politician allegedly expressed with delight, at a State banquet in Lagos, that “Ibos domination of Nigeria was a matter of time”.

    We know that a part of that grand design was the sprouting of the people of Igbo origin to all parts of Nigeria in readiness for taking over when the time was ripe for the execution of the plan.

    We know that the episode of 1954 election which gave victory to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in both the Eastern and Western regions and which would have made it possible for the Igbo people to rule the West in addition to the East was also part of that design.

    But for the astute and political sagacity of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who moved with alacrity to engineer cross-carpeting as a new political paradigm in Nigeria at that time to preempt the impending slavery of the Yoruba people to their Igbo counterparts surreptitiously, Yoruba people would have remained under the serfdom of Igbo economic and political hegemony till today in a winner takes all tango.

    Further developments

    Yet, we know that following the Igbo military coup of 1966 which saw people of other ethnic groups massacred, it was another Igbo man, Major-General Johnson Agyui-Ironsi who assumed office as Nigeria’s first Military President. Thus, an Igbo civilian was Nigeria’s first President who was succeeded by an Igbo military President. The agenda was to ensure that whatever political situation could become of Nigeria, an Igbo man was to be at the helm of affairs. And that was hurriedly as certained by a daring decree 34 of 1966 enacted by Ironsi to perpetuate his tribesmen in power. That decree obliterated all traces of federalism and turned Nigeria into a unitary form of government where power was to start flowing down to the regions from the centre which he manned.

    Incidentally when Ironsi’s regime collapsed after six months in office, it was the Igbos who first coined the non-existent word ‘MARGINALISATION’ and cried to the world for rescue from the persecution of Hausa and Yoruba tribes of Nigeria. That cry of the owl remains on course till today. The truth is that Igbos of Nigeria can never be satisfied with any post other than that of the President.

    They believe that Nigeria is made for them and others in the country are only to serve them.

    The killing of Ahmadu Bello

    One of the foremost political icons in Nigeria’s first republic and a patriarch of the political party called Northern People’s Congress (NPC), was Alhaji (Sir) Ahmadu Bello, the first and only Premier of Northern Nigeria. He became Premier of Northern Nigeria in 1954 through a popular election and was killed as Premier in January 1966 in a tribal/religious military coup plotted mainly by soldiers of Igbo extraction led by one Major Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. The plotters had killed this icon in cold blood before looking for reasons to justify their heinous crime. The three reasons they later gave were corruption, tribalism and religious bigotry. It was a matter of calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

    Premier Bello’s flanks

    Among the four Premiers in Nigeria at that time, only Ahmadu Bello could not in any way be evidently linked to corruption. Unlike others who lived opulently, Ahmadu Bello was an ascetic personality who served his people patriotically without any blemish. He left only a small residential bungalow in his home town of Sokoto at the time of his death. Who else left such a flank? Sir Ahmadu Bello could also not be singularly accused of tribalism because tribalism was the basis of all the existing political parties of the time. No Premier from 1954 to 1966 could be exonerated from tribalism directly or indirectly. They were all guilty of it.

    It can be recalled that certain tribal groups such as Ibiobio State Union (IBU), Ibo Federal Union (IFU) Egbe Omo Oduduwa (EOO) and ‘Jam’iyyar Al-Ummar Nigeriya ta Arewa’ translated as Northern Elements Progressive Association (NEPA) which later transformed into Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) were all tribal socio-cultural organizations that metamorphosed into political parties. All those parties preceded ‘Jam’iyyar Mutane Arewa’ meaning Northern People’s Congress (NPC) to which Ahmadu Bello belonged. Many other ethnic-based political parties later emerged to broaden tribalism in Nigerian politics. If anything, Ahmadu Bello was the least tribally inclined Premier of his time. Why did his killers link him alone to tribalism?

    His 1959 Christmas message

    Of the four Premiers in Nigeria’s first republic, only Ahmadu Bello was bold and sincere enough to allay the fear of the minority groups in Northern Nigeria by making a public policy statement about his government’s stand concerning tribalism and religious bigotry. Here is an excerpt from what he said while sending a Christmas message to northern Christians in December and not October 1959 as fabricators want Nigerians to believe: “…We are people of many different races, tribes and religions, who are knit together by common history, common interests and common ideals.

    Our diversity may be great but the things that unite us are stronger than the things that divide us. On an occasion like this, I always remind people about our firmly rooted policy on religious tolerance.

    Families of all creeds and colour can rely on these assurances. We have no intention of favouring one religion at the expense of another.

    Subject to overriding need to preserve law and order, it is our determination that everyone should have absolute liberty to practice his belief. It is befitting on this momentous day, on behalf of my ministers and myself, to send a special word of gratitude to all Christian missions”.

    “Let me conclude this with a personal message. I extend my greetings to all our people who are Christians on this great feast day. Let us forget the difference in our religion and remember the common brotherhood before God, by dedicating ourselves afresh to the great tasks which lie before us….”

    Any sensible reader who can compare and contrast the two speeches above will surely be able decipher the truth from the falsehood.

    Years, after Ahmadu Bello’s unjustifiable assassination, some evil elements in the media, in active conspiracy with certain political demagogues went to fabricate another statement and credited it to the late Norther Premier as a justification for killing him. The concocted statement was culled from an unknown newspaper called ‘The Parrot’.

    Truth and falsehood

    The Premier’s Christmas message quoted above was made on Thursday, December 24, 1959 (the eve of Christmas) through a radio broadcast and it was published by all newspapers in the country including the vociferous ‘West African Pilot’ owned by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the boisterous ‘Tribune’ owned by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the clamorous ‘Daily Times’ jointly owned privately by certain prominent individuals at that time on Christmas Day. It was equally published by many other smaller newspapers in Nigeria. All those newspapers are identifiable in Nigeria’s media history even though most of them are now defunct.

    On the other hand, the place and occasion of the fabricated statement credited to Ahmadu Bello was not indicated and cannot be traced in Nigeria’s newspaper history.

    Evidence of fabrication

    The first time any genuinely existing newspaper ever made reference to that fabricated statement was on November 13, 2002 (42 years after it was purportedly made. And ‘The Tribune’ newspaper that published it only claimed to have culled it from an online column published on October 24 2002 by a purported Yoruba Journalist (name withheld) who entitled it ‘the northern Agenda’. It can therefore be deduced that the statement was actually fabricated not in the 1960s but in October 2002, by the so-called columnist who credited it to a newspaper that never existed. The objective was to give it an undeserving credibility. What a country! What a people! What a shame! This is a typical case of an obvious mischief by heartless mischief makers just to fetch ephemeral fame and illegal income.

    The belief was that once such a fabricated article appears on the internet and is ignorantly quoted by some inconsequential writers, it would automatically become a document of facts and authority. That is Nigeria for you.

    The coup episode

    January 15, 1966 was a Saturday like no other one in the history of Nigeria. It was on that day that the bitter seed which germinated and grew into the thorny tree that now feeds Nigerians with unpalatable political fruits was planted. The evil planting marked the beginning of an agonizing political voyage of destiny on which Nigerians embarked without a compass. Coming up in the sacred month of Ramadan, the day actually came to confirm the axiomatic thought of an Arab poet who once asserted in a couplet that: “Nights are heavily pregnant; they give birth to wonders in the days….”

    The major casualties

    The heartless rascals in Nigerian military who struck in the January 1966 coup to terminate a democratically elected government must have foreclosed the consequences of their criminal action. They killed virtually all the major key players in the then Nigerian politics except those of Igbo extraction and of course, some non-Igbo people who were then in prisons. The Prime Minister, Alhaji Sir Abubakar

    Tafawa Balewa and the Minister of Finance, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh were killed in Lagos. The Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, was killed with his wife and some other people in Kaduna, the then Headquarters of Northern Nigeria. The Premier of Western Nigeria, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was killed in Ibadan, the then Headquarters of the South Western Nigeria while some military top brass of non-Igbo extraction were killed in different military barracks across the country.

    Except for Lt. Col. Arthur Unegbe (an Igbo military officer) who was killed for being too close to Maimalari and could not be trusted, no other Igbo man of note, politician or military, was killed in that coup. As a matter of fact, if there was any feeling of the coup in the Eastern Nigeria at all, it was that of victory and heroism. The top military officers who were killed in the senseless coup included: Brig. S. A. Ademulegun; Brig. Zakari Maimalari; Col. Kur Mohammed; Lt. Col. J. Y. Pam ; Col. S. A. Shodeinde; Lt. Col. Largema; Lt. Col. A. G. Unegbe; S/Lt. James Odu and a host of others.

    Coup planners and executors

    That overwhelming majority of the planners of that coup as well as its executors were of Igbo extraction could not have been a mere coincidence. It is particularly notable that the chief beneficiary of the coup (Major-General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi) was also of Igbo extraction. Almost all the military appointments after the coup were

    for men of Igbo extraction and none of these, except Hassan Katsina and Muhammadu Shuwa was a Muslim. How else could a coup be tribal and religious?

  • The Ramadan Family

    Preamble

    At no time in the life of man can the true nature of human existence be more manifest than in Ramadan. It is in this sacred month that Muslims reflect mostly on this. Some people fasted actively last year but are no more today. Some put their feet at the door step of Ramadan this year but never entered it. Some fell by the way side along the line.

     

    Human life

    Human life cannot be measured in history by the time or manner of his or her death. In Islam, death is neither the consequence of sin nor the repercussion of ignorance. There are instances when the sinless dies and the sinful lives. There are also instances when the learned dies while the ignorant lives.  The schedule of life and death is not in the custody of any human being. Death is a debt which every living being owes and must pay.

    Not even Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was spared of death or given a foreknowledge of its time.

     

    Spiritual value

    Some people look but never see. Some claim to see or know in falsehood even when and where it is humanly impossible to see or know. The factors that determine the time, the place and the manner of death are known only to the the Almighty Allah, the omnipresent, the omnipotent.

    It is only in the imagination of man that age should be a factor of death. We shall all die at our scheduled time. Therefore, whoever is privileged to pass through this year’s Ramadan successfully should endeavour to add spiritual value to his or her life and not diminish in faith after the sacred month. We shall all account for that value before Allah.

     

    Reassessment

    After Ramadan, in a few weeks’ time, we shall start looking back, with nostalgia, not only the essence of Ramadan but also the good things we have done in the sacred month. For instance we shall remember that in no other month of Hijrah calendar is the role of Muslim women more pronounced than in Ramadan. Like in other months, they often exhibit the roles of wives, mothers as well as that of their husband’s confidants. But more than in other months, they also display their religious dedication in Ramadan.

     

    Women’s resilience

    In that sacred month Muslim women fast like their men counterparts. They pray five times daily. They join those men counterparts in observing Tarawih. Some of them even attend Tafsir and public lectures. Yet they never relent in carrying out their daily official daily duties just like men either in the offices, shops, or farms. And all these are in addition to their permanent matrimonial duties.

    Even as they assist their husbands financially in maintaining the homes, these women still take care of those husbands as well as the children and relatives domestically.

     

    Tireless in nature

    At the time of the day when their husbands are knocked out by fatigue arising from fasting, these wives are still busy in the kitchen preparing Iftar for the household. And at the time in the night when some husbands are engaged in Tahajjud, or are snoring in bed, the wives are already up in the kitchen preparing the Sahur for the family.

    Some of these women are carrying pregnancy. Some are suckling their children. Some of them are knowledgeable enough to do the Tilawah (recitation of the Qur’an) like their husbands.

     

    Their financial assistance

    Some of them are rich enough to finance their matrimonial home fully or partially.

    And, in all these activities, they never feel tired. Where and when they feel tired, they never show it. If any month has ever depicted the virtues of women, it is Ramadan and the women activities in it.

    If for the reason of their activities in Ramadan alone, they deserve tenderness and dignified treatment in the hands of their husbands.

     

     How children thrive

    Also after Ramadan, we shall recall the role of our children in the sacred month and then endeavour to ensure the continuity of those rewarding activities.

    At that time, it will occur to us that children are Allah’ greatest gift to man. Their presence in a house is blessing. Their contribution is immense. At times,  they can act like teachers just as they can play students. They learn fast, they teach fast. They are a major security for parents in any given environment.

    Children have both temporal and spiritual roles to play in a matrimonial life. And with such roles, they sometimes create hope for humanity and sometimes, they signal despair. They are the greatest asset in the possession of parents in time of peace.

     

    Children as weapons

    They are also the greatest weapon for those parents against the forces of Satan.

    Because of their innocence, children pave way for God’s forgiveness and quick acceptance of prayers. And, most importantly, children guarantee the continuity of man’s existence on earth through heritage. It is only with them that the fulfilment of today’s promise is possible tomorrow.

     

    The Qur’anic children

    In the Qur’an, children are mentioned many times and most often with reverence. They are treated in that glorious book as a major issue in the life of man. As orphans, they do not only have a role to play, they also compel some adults to play a role relating to them.

    As heirs to their parents, they have substantial shares in inheritance. Muslim children are like cubs. They follow the footstep of their parents or guardians a scrupulously. They are often with their parents during the five daily prayers. They watch their parents as the latter give charity to the poor. They accompany them to public lectures and Islamic social gatherings.

    And, in Ramadan, children are part of the Muslims’ total spiritual package. They wake up with them at night. They fast with them in the day. They break the fast with them at sunset and observe Tarawih with them in the evenings. They join their parents at Tafsir and night lectures. They participate in Laylatul Qadr and in giving Zakatul Fitr to the poor.

     

    Encouragement

    In all these activities, they are supposed to be spiritually nurtured and encouraged. At the tender age of seven, they should be guided to fast even if for half a day. And when they reach the age of 10 they should be strengthened in faith and in religious deeds. They should be provided with necessities of life both of the temporal and spiritual means. With these, they will grow up to become the fulfilment of their parents’ dreams.

     

    Good or bad

    Most children grow up as good or bad by emulating their parents. A child is therefore what his parents make him. If advantage of Ramadan is not taken by Muslim parents to mould their children into good Muslims what other platform will be used? Your child is your sun. Make hey with it while it shines.

    We shall also recall how we related to our neighbours especially the non-Muslims among them in that month.

     

    Like family, like neighbours

    In Islam, neighbours are as important as the next of kin. And, Islam attaches so much respect to them. According to Bukhari and Muslim, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was reported to have once sworn by Allah three times saying: “he does not believe in Allah whoever creates fear in his neighbours atrociously”

    In another Hadith also reported by Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet was quoted as saying that “Whoever believes in Allah and the last day let him be nice to his neighbours and respect his guests”

     

    New Toga

    In the month of Ramadan a good Muslim is expected to wear a new toga of sobriety and repentance. He doubles his good deeds to his neighbours extending generosity to them and cultivating a new atmosphere of friendliness and trust with them. He genuinely gives them as much impression of love and brotherhood as he does with his consanguine relatives.

    It does not matter whether the neighbours in question are Muslims or non-Muslims. Neither does it matter whether they are tribesmen or non-natives. The Prophet did not discriminate in his Hadith when he was admonishing on neighbours. And that is the inalienable position of Islam on neighbours.

    Therefore, whoever might have quarrelled with his neighbours go and settle the quarrel No one knows which Ramadan will be his or her last.

     

    Purpose of Ramadan

    Ramadan is not made a pillar of Islam by accident. Its purpose is to return man to the original state of purity into which he was born. That Allah entrusts the world to man is also not by accident. Allah consulted widely and far before entrusting this great responsibility to man having volunteered to bear it. This much is contained in Qur’an 33:71 thus: “We offered the trust (of the world) to the heavens; the earth and the mountains they all turned it down and were afraid of it. Man undertook to bear it but he has proved to be insincere and deceitful”.

     

    Reconfirmation

    For man to re-examine himself, repent his misdeeds and be redeemed, therefore, Allah brought Ramadan as a means of rescue.

    It is in the month of Ramadan that Muslims reconfirm NEEDS rather than WANTS as the necessities required for the sustenance of their lives.

     

    Needs and wants

    Muslims, by their faith and orientation, are not, ordinarily, given to WANTS. They are more concerned about NEEDS than WANTS. The reason for this is not far-fetched. With NEEDS come contentment and satisfaction while WANTS are the cause of greed and avarice.

     

    Divine provision

    Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, had divinely provided the needs of every living creature even before its creation. But then, He knew that of all those creatures man alone would go beyond NEEDS into the realm of WANTS. That was perhaps what informed the negative role which Satan assumed in the life of man shortly after the creation of Adam.

    By introducing WANTS to man, what Satan did was to create a permanent job for himself in the life of man. Without WANTS the world would not have been what it is today. Blood would not have been shed. Money would not have been deified. Hatred would not have been known to man. And, man’s inhumanity to man would have been totally averted.

     

    Effects of wants

    The effect of WANTS first became known when Qabil (Cain), the first son of Adam preferred his brother’s wife to his. In the argument which ensued, Qabil (Cain) killed his brother Habil (Abel) and combined the latter’s wife with his. Thus, greed and avarice became ingredients of man’s culture. And WANTS rather than NEEDS became the domineering factor in the life of man.

     

    Youths and Mosques

    One delightful thing in the sacred month was to note that Nigerian Mosques were full of Muslim youths. By this, a silent Islamic renaissance seems to be going on especially in Nigerian society. It looks like a repeat of the situation that led to the formation of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in 1954. With this development, two great possibilities are expected to sail Islam through the coast of good hope in the 21st century. One is the return of the Mosque to its original objective. The other is the inalienable continuation of Islamic dynamism in reshaping the destiny of mankind.

     

    Ultimate hope

    The hope that these two possibilities are achievable in the hands of today’s teeming Muslim youths is in fulfilment of a fundamental prophesy about the signs of the last days. One of these signs is that ‘the sun will start rising from where it used to set’. The reference here is not to the physical sun. The Prophet was referring to the spiritual photosynthesis of the souls of mankind for the ultimate metamorphosis of those souls from mortality to immortality. The instrument of photosynthesis in this case is Islam. And, the fulfilment of this prophesy is gradually being confirmed today either by technology or science.

    When Prophet Muhammad (SAW) established the very first Mosque in Madinah (Masjid Al-Qubah) in 622 A.C, the purpose was more than just Salat.

     

    Functions of Mosques

    Ordinarily, the Mosque is not supposed to be just a house of worship. It should also be a school, a library, a hospital, a court, a media centre and a parliament. Without the Mosque, the unity of the Muslim Ummah would have been impossible.

    A Mosque is the meeting place for offering Salat five times a day. It is the centre of congregation for Jum’at prayer every Friday. It brings the Muslims together twice in a year for congregational observance of Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha. Yet, the meeting place called ‘Arafah which is the climax of Hajj and at which the largest human congreagation meets one a year is a Mosque.

    The great Mosques in Makkah, Madinah, and Quds (Jerusalem) serve the same purpose as those in Cairo , Jakarta and Sydney . And, there is no difference between the Mosque in Sokoto and the one in Rio de Janeiro .

     

    Fortification

    Generally, the Mosque plays a central role in fortifying the unity of the Muslims wherever they are. But unfortunately, with time and with crave for personal benefits, the Mosque has been relegated to just a place for Salat alone. That is the real cause of the backwardness in which the Muslim Ummah is now wallowing. With the experience of the sacred month of Ramadan, fasting Muslims have gained bounteously. Such gains must not be allowed to slip off their hands. An opportunity may not come twice.

  • Guest of all seasons

    Preamble

    To most pious Muslims around the world, the month of Ramadan is Allah’s special blessing with which to rescue mankind from the dragnet of Satan.

    This blessed month has always come to the earth annually for the past 1438 years or thereabout. And its mission has invariably been to liberate all willing Muslims from the scourge of Satan.

     

    Repackaging life 

    Whenever Ramadan comes, all Muslims and non-Muslims alike repackage their lives in a way suitable for the sacred month even as Muslims welcome it  with the best spiritual  hospitality while  chanting a sprcialn chorus of blessing. Ramadan Karim!

     

    Nigerian Muslim preachers

    It is quite unfortunate that this great month of Allah’s unsurpassable blessings has become the choice of some Nigerian Muslim clerics/preachers to feather the hat of Satan through abuses, curses and counter curses on radio and television stations sometimes using vulgar languages. By such preaching, most of those clerics often strip themselves of Allah’s bounteous blessings as much as they smear the religion of Allah on a platter of sheer whim.

     

    Warning

    The Message column hereby warns such preachers to desist from such satanic acts and fear Allah if they are truly Muslims. Otherwise, they may face the wrath of Allah. A Muslim without piety, particularly in the month of Ramadan is like a snail without shell.

     

    Status of Ramdan

    Ordinarily, Ramadan is one of the twelve Islamic months. But spiritually and psychologically, it transcends the status of a month having become the custodian of a whole pillar of Islam. Thus, from all indications it has assumed the posture and characteristics of a season.

     

     Characteristics of seasons

    Seasons are like the tides of an ocean. They roll out spirally in quick succession and reshape the world’s environment from time to time. They come in multiples of months as no one can measure a season in the absence of months.

     

     

    Seasons in the West

    The people of the West have so much respect for seasons that whenever  they have an important guest they call him an ‘August visitor’. The month of August is the peak of summer season in Europe where the season called Summer contains the most comfortable months of the year. In that season, the Caucasian race of Europe do treat their guests with maximum hospitality.

     

    Venerable guest

    In Islam, the most venerable guest is Ramadan. Its visiting time is not restricted to any particular season of the year. It may arrive in the world in any season. That is why it is called a guest of all seasons in this article.

    With Ramadan as a dignified guest, not only the Muslims but also, the entire humanity are consciously or unconsciously engaged in non-such hospitable activities in the sacred month. Those who do not fast in the month because they are not Muslims do take advantage of its blessed presence to engage in one business or the other. Farmers, manufacturers and service providers, all prepare their products for the arrival of the month thereby confirming that there can be no indifference to the awful presence of the sacred month in any part of the world. Perhaps nothing else is as captivating as this unique month.

     

    Ramadan’s voyage

    Although Ramadan perches on the earth every year, no one knows its port of embarkation. No one knows its destination. All we know of it is that of a guest that is so vividly present in our world and yet so invisible. It is through the Qur’an that we came to know ‘RAMADAN’ as the name by which the sacred month is divinely christened.

    Ramadan’s coming is often heralded by a retinue of envoys.

     

    Ramadan’s Entourage

    The months of ‘Rajab’ and ‘Sha’ban’ are the immediate signals that alert mankind of Ramadan’s imminent arrival. Thus, like the sun in the midst of stars, Ramadan ascends the throne in full regalia and all other months, (lunar and solar) quickly take their bow.

    If you call Ramadan the king where other months are mere chiefs you will be quite right. If you call it the medical doctor in a world of sick people you will not be wrong. If you call it the compass in the wilderness of straying humanity you will be speaking the absolute truth. If you call it the reformer of human soul or the sterilizer of human spirit or the purifier of human body you will not be disputed.

    In its entourage also are invisible ministers such as piety, knowledge, truth, justice and peace all of which usher it into the world with splendour.

     

    Meaning of Ramadan

    The name Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramad meaning hot ashes. The name had evolved since the time before the establishment of Islamic calendar. But it was not attached to any religion. And due to ignorance, humanity did not know the benefit of this month until the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who opened the eyes of the world to it.

     

    The Sacredness of Ramadan

    With the advent of Islam, the entire month of Ramadan is spent in fasting from dawn to dusk. Such fasting is not only an abstinence from foods and drinks alone. It is also about self-restraint from all sinful acts and repackaging of one’s destiny through a new but sincere resolution.

    Fasting during this month is believed to figuratively burn away all sins.

     

    Ramadan’s relationship with the Qur’an

    It was in the glorious month called Ramadan that the revelations of the Glorious Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) first began. It was in this month that all the previous divine revelations to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) were divinely renewed and repackaged not only as a reminder but also as a reconfirmation of the authenticity of the Qur’an as Allah’s anchor message to mankind.

    In this month, all gates of paradise, (according to a Prophetic Hadith), are open while those of hell are closed.

     

    Segments of Ramadan

    Ramadan is divided into three main segments of ten days each. But the third segment may sometimes be limited to nine days. The first ten days in this sacred month are blessings galore for those of the Muslim Ummah who need Allah’s blessings and seek them. The second ten days personify forgiveness for those who realize the gravity of their sinful acts, repent on them and resolve never to return to such acts again. The last ten or nine days are meant for the liberation of mankind from the manacles of Satan. Whoever is so liberated automatically becomes like a newly born baby arriving in a new world with a clean slate (tabularasa).

     

    The Night of Power

    In the last ten days is a particular night called Laylatul Qadr in which the secret of human destiny is encapsulated. It is otherwise known as the ‘Night of power’. Meeting that night consciously and spiritually is like securing the key to one’s own apartment in Paradise. But one needs to remain awake throughout those nights to be fortunate to receive the blessings of the night.

     

    Searching for the Night

    Allah did not disclose the particular night called Laylatul Qadr even to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), But by asking the Muslims to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten days, the Prophet had assisted us tremendously. However, who can be so sure of the odd nights when the issue of sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan remains a subject of heated controversy?

    That is why some willing Muslims, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), go for Umrah in Makkah or take to I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) locally, in the month of Ramadan to reaffirm their total submission to the will of Allah.

     

    Zakatul Fitr

    Within the last ten days of Ramadan is also a common charity made compulsory for all Muslims irrespective of age, gender and status, to be given to the poor and the needy. This is called Zakatul Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr. It is given out in the very early morning of Ramadan Festival Day or the night before it to enable the poor and the needy celebrate the festival with the rest of the Ummah.

     

    Vital questions

    Ramadan never perches on earth without certain vital questions such as the question of sighting the crescent before commencing the fast in it; the question of how to prepare for it socially, physically and spiritually; the question of what to do and what not to do in it; the question of who should fast and who may not fast in it; the question of how its days and nights can be spent; the question of what to benefit from Tafsir and how to observe Tarawih; The question of I’tikaf (seclusion) and what to do therein; the question of Laylatul Qadr that is said to be more beneficial to genuine Muslims than 1000 months; the question of Zakatul Fitr, Eidul Fitr and the features that characterize them as well as many other questions including marriage, divorce and sexual intercourse in this sacred month.

     

    Conclusion

    Where else can a guest like Ramadan be found? Where else can one meet a guest that hosts his host and heals him of his ailment of ignorance and other diseases? It was probably more to Ramadan than to man that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) referred when he said: “whoever believes in Allah and the ‘Last Day’ should venerate his guest” That guest is Ramadan. That is why Muslims often say in this unique month: ‘RAMADAN KARIM’. Read the details of the features of Ramadan in a dauly column called ‘RAMADAN GUIDE’. It is written daily in The Nation newspaper by yours sincerely.

  • Alert! Fake muslim group emerges

    Preamble

    Today’s article is starting with apology to the readers of ‘The Message’ for the inability of their beloved column to float on this page last Friday. It was due to a fortuitous failure of technology which yours sincerely was unable to prevent.

     

    About Ramadan

    Ordinarily, if ‘The Message’ had been out in this column last Friday, it would have been about the divine month that seasonally comes into the world to serve as the month of all months and the global guest of all seasons.

    Regrettably however, today’s article is still not about Ramadan and that is due to a development, last week, that called for and deserves an urgent attention in this column today. A whole month is ahead of us, commencing from next week, in which we can address Ramadan from all conceivable angles. We pray the Almighty Allah to spare our lives.

     

    ‘Opium of the People’

    In spite of the quoted maxim (by an American poet) at the opening of this article, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for religious acrimony and malice in the Southwest of Nigeria.

    The battle for peoples’ souls in the name of God continues to rage unabatedly between the Christians and the Muslims in the region albeit on a disguised platter of materialism. It is difficult to pinpoint with certainty, a dominant colour in a rainbow. The eyes that saw clearly in the dark yesterday may become dim in sighting an object through a bright light today. Thus, in a world where religion has virtually become Karl Marx’  “opium of the people”, it may be difficult to prove that the rampant, deafening noises over religion in contemporary Nigeria is more about obedience to God than loyalty to material wealth. Otherwise, why is a choice of the path to Paradise or to Hell not left to the liberty of every individual without any interference? If genuinely embraced, religion should be a matter of conscience which no mortal being should endeavour to Judge upon. But the contrary is the case in Nigeria. And the real problem area is the Southwest region where no business thrives better than religion. It is quite evident that the foremost industry in the Southwest of Nigeria today is a religious solo with different choruses.

     

    Strange ‘Muslim’ Group

    Last week, the attention of ‘The Message’  column was drawn to a media altercation between a famous Non-Governmental Organization called Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and  a fake group named ‘Oodua Muslim Coalition’ (OMC).

    The Director of MURIC is Ishaq Lakin Akintola a Professor of Islamic Eschatology at the Lagos State University (LASU), whose versatility in the propagation of Islam through  human rights advocacy is  well known nationally and inyernationally.

     

    Oodua Muslim Coaliition’

    The so-called Oodua Muslim Coalition (OMC), on the other hand, is so obscure and so fraudulent that no Muslim of note will want to associate with it because of its vague antecedent. Its name alone is

    questionable.

    To which Oodua is the amorphous group claiming to be related or affiliated? Is it Oodua, the acclaimed primogenitor of the entire Yoruba tribe who was never related to Islam in any way or Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), which lays no claim to any religion?

     

    The Mission of OPC

    To the best knowledge of all Yoruba sons and daughters all over the world, OPC is a trbal youth pressure group in Yoruba land, just like Egbesu of Ijaw tribe, or Massop or IPOB in Igbo land or ACF in the north. And, like those of others, OPC has  no religious inclination in its agenda. It is rather a conglomeration of all comers in Yoruba land irrespective of religious convictions or dialects. If religion has truly crept into OPC, then Christian counterpart of OMC would have emerged. And that would have signaled an albatross for Yoruba as a

    distinct tribal entity.

    The fact that some people choose to be Christians while others choose to be Muslims does not confer superiority on some people as an instrument of oppression over others.

    The faceless elements behind the so-called OMC must have lost any memory of the possible consequences of their fraudulent plot to use Islam as an instrument of balkanization of the Yoruba land along religious lines. Such is often the case with shallow-minded people whose only focus is the momentary crump they would pick under the dining tables of their masters.

     

    The Press Conspiracy

    Using the Southwest media to baptize the arrival of its clandestine but nefarious plot under the cover of Islamic religion, this amorphous group recently issued a hateful press statement in which it attacked and blackmailed the entire Southwest Muslims calling them names and labeling them  ‘Agents of Hausa Fulani of the North’.

    Unfortunately the same Southwest media has never seen the association of the Southwest people with those of the Southeast and South-south in their joint campaign for secession from the commonwealth of Nigeria in the same vein.  OMC’s press statement which was aimed at attack Professor Lakin Akintola of MURIC was foolishly turned into a general tool with which to throw away Islam’s baby with the bathwater in the Southwest.

    Even the duo of one Mallam Lateef Adeyera and an Alhaji Ambali Olubodun Noibi who sheepishly but mischievously signed the obnoxious statement as Chairman and Secretary General respectively could not delineate between the sensible and the insensible  if only for firming up their flanks of tribal pedigree.

     

    Clarification

    For clarification, the Muslim Ummah of the Southwest which is the umbrella body for all the State Muslim Councils/Communities as well as Organizations in the six State of the Southwest reagion. And, if as the Southern counterpart of Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI) in the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), which has the record of all legitimate Muslim Organizations in the Southwest, does not know the so-called ‘Oodua Muslim Coalition’ what is the antecedent of that fraudulent group?

    It is therefore necessary here to warn all genuine Muslim Councils, Communities and Organizations as well as indiduals in the region to beware of certain evil elements who are now parading themselves as Muslim groups or Associations  with the intent of constituting a spiritual virus in the region, Their objective is to break the ranks of the Ummah in order to subject the Muslims to the manacle of Satan..

     

    Press Statement

    In the press statement that the so-called OMC issued recently, the faceless but highly diabolical group adopted the well known tactic and vulgar language characteristic of certain self-acclaimed Yoruba

    leaders.

    These elements and their cohorts are notorious for creating amorphous proxies and using them for their anti-Islamic agenda and other evil machinations. Thus, whenever such proxies raise their heads and attempt to dance like a dragon on the surface of a brook, we should automatically know where the drummers are hiding.

    Evil Agents

    The contents and language of the said press statement by the so-called OMC could not have come as a surprise to any genuine Muslim Organization  because it has become a recurrent decimal in from their

    masters.

    As a divisive gimmick, in the said press statement, the amorvous group, like those of its senior brothers in their clandestine game, told the Southwest Muslims generally, to stop cooperating with the northern Muslims whom it described as enemies of the Yoruba people. It also went ahead to ask them to drop their Islamic identity for a new toga of Yoruba irredentism of the primitive era.

     

    Unity as Headache

    Apparently disturbed by the progressive unity between the Northern and Southwestern Muslims, under the banner of NSCIA, the YSF proxy calling itself OMC ignorantly insinuated that accepting the leadership of the President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad

    Abubakar, CFR, mni, could not profit the Southwest Muslims. It will be recalled that a similar press statement was issued in November 2015 in which one obvious renegade by the name Yinka Odumakin singled out  the venerable personality of the Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor D. O. S. Noibi, OBE, DSc. FISN for a venomous attack just because the latter signed a MUSWEN press release that objected to Afenifere’s threat of secession bid at that time.

     

    Putting the Record Straight

    Ordinarily, MUSWEN, as a responsible Islamic body with millions of Muslim members, would not have reacted to such frivolities, but when some bread and butter parasites in the society attempt to distort plain facts and replace truth with falsehood, ‘The Message’ as an Islamic column will be left with no choice than to put the records straight.

    It is immoral for those who in their actions, utterances and body languages, swallow the Christian doctrine hook, line and sinker to hide under unbridled tribal irredentism   to want to prevent  the Muslims of the Southwest Nigeria from associating with their brothers and sisters in other parts of the country.

     

    Not a Secular Country

    Nigeria is a multi-religious and nor a secular country as often claimed by mischievous elements to suit their evil desire. In a country where all citizens are at liberty to choose and practice their religions, no religious bigots have any right to want to prevent other religious groups from practicing their faith.

     

    Euphoria of the past

    Those who are still basking in the now forgotten euphoria of the colonial era should wake up from their slumber and face the reality of the moment. Nigeria is not the the lad of anybody’s father and nobody can claim ownership of it.

     

    Language of Communication

    English language is no longer anybody’s monopoly and it can no longer be used to bamboozle any group into a new slavery or colonialism as in the past. We are all Nigerians. The meaning of the opening poem in this article should suffice for people who can correctly reason. Islam is not for sale in the Southwest Nigeria. Ramadan Karim in advance!

  • Sensitisation message towards Ramadan

    All praise is due to Almighty Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful and the Disposer of all affairs. May His peace and benediction be showered on the soul our exemplary prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), his household members, his faithful companions and this blessed gathering, amin.

    O brethren! Here comes another golden opportunity for the seekers of Allah’s pleasure and the Garden of al-Rayyan to make strategic preparation to receive and relate with this blessed month of Ramadan. Wise and conscientious Muslims would consider preparation for Ramadan important, but ignorant folks among us will foot drag and refuse to make preparation for this precious annual visitor. Allah urges believers to make preparation thus:

    “And take provisions, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” Q2:197

    Ibn Kathir commented on the Hadith collected by Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud as narrated by Abdullahi Ibn ‘Abbas that, “The people of Yemen used to go to Hajj without making enough preparation in terms of basic supplies with them for pilgrimage. They used to say, ‘We are those who have Tawakkul (reliance on Allah).’ Allah thus revealed the above Ayah instructing: And take provisions (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is righteousness.

    Before discussing further, let us look at the virtues of Ramadan.

    On the virtues of Ramadan, Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger said: “When the month of Ramadan starts, the Gates of the Heaven are opened and the Gates of Hells are closed and the Devils are chained” (Al-Bukhari). This statement is an indication that Allah provides enabling environment for believers to maximise the bountiful rewards of Ramadan, thus attaining the desired level of Taqwa.

    In another narration Abu Huraira (RA) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘’Whoever observed salat (supererogatory prayer) on the night of Qadr (in Ramadan) with sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever observe sawm (fasting) in the month of Ramadan with sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven” (Al-Bukhari). This narration underscores the importance of Ramadan as the month of forgiveness and compensation.

    Another virtue of Ramadan is acceptance of supplications. Let us therefore supplicate to witness this blessed month. Mu’alla bn al-Fadhl said: “Our predecessor used to supplicate for six months that Allah spares their lives to witness another Ramadan, and supplicate for another six months that all their efforts therein be accepted as meritorious deeds.”

    Yahya bn Kathir said: among their prayer is: “O Allah, spare my life to witness Ramadan, and enable us to be righteous therein and accept it from us’’.

    Further on the virtues, Allah says:

    The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e., is present at his home), he must observe fasting that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number of days which one did not observe fasting must be made up from other days. Allah intends for you ease and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.  Q2:185

    Lastly, Allah honoured Ramadan by revealing the Glorious Qur’an therein, just as He did for all other Divine Books revealed to some Prophets (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon them). The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “The Suhuf of Ibrahim was revealed during the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed during the sixth night of Ramadan. The Injil was revealed during the thirteenth night of Ramadan. Allah revealed the Qur’an on the twenty-fourth night of Ramadan” (Imam Ahmad)

    How prepared are you? There are several aspects of preparation for Ramadan. These include:

    1. Spiritual preparation: Muslims, as fathers, mothers, matured boys and girls are implored to prepare themselves proactively before the blessed month approaches. Spiritual preparation entails cleansing ourselves from past sins, misdeeds, wrongdoings and iniquities by seeking swift repentance (Tawbah). The prevalent sins and excesses in human society especially Nigeria include adultery, alcoholism, drug addiction, peddling narcotics, fornication, gambling, fraudulent sales, dirty businesses, and dishonesty by artisans, rigging election, imposition of imbeciles as political leaders, counterfeiting, harmful businessmen and corruption by public servants. Other aspects of spiritual preparation include: constant and regular Salat, charity and Zakat, modest in dressing, shunning tribalism, envy, jealousy, backbiting, rumour-mongering, gangsters and frivolities.
    2. Physical preparation: Physical preparation entails a cursory examination by every Muslim of his/her state of health in readiness for 29 or 30 days of spiritual retreat and fasting. It is also a deliberate move to seek the advice of a honest Muslim medical doctor on fitness to fast especially by the sick, aged and those suffering from ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure, fever et cetera. On this, we recommend malaria test, ulcer counseling, high-blood pressure test et cetera. A strong Muslim is better than a weak one.

    3.Organisational preparation: Islamic organisations, masajid, business organisations, NGOs, Charity-based association and Muslim Communities are all requested to have well-designed programmes and projects for implementation in the Month of Ramadan. Organisational preparation include setting up committee on Moon Sighting for Ramadan, engaging in Mosque rehabilitation/decoration, environmental sanitation, printing of pamphlets/leaflets for awareness, sponsorship of lectures on Radio/TV, establishing Fund Raising activities for public Lectures, Laylatul Qadr, Eidul-Fitri Get-together, Zakat-ul-Fitri collection, sensitization on Zakat assessment, collection and distribution. On the preparation to monitor the crescent of Ramadan, which unfortunately is one of the causes of disunity in Nigeria, we recommend the counsel of the Prophet (Peace be upon him): He said: “Do not begin fasting until you sight the moon, and do not break your fast (for ‘Eid) until you have sighted it.” (Bukhari Muslim).

    “Count well the crescent of Sha’aban because of Ramadan” (al-Tirmidhiy).

    “Start to observe fasting when you see it (crescent of Ramadan) and give up observing fasting when you see it (crescent of Shawwal) and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it, complete the counting of Sha’aban to be thirty” (Bukhari and Muslim)

    1. Financial preparation (Budgeting): As individuals, groups, masajid and organisations adequate financial preparation is imperative and non-negotiable. Budgeting has been defined as a financial plan embodying an estimate of proposed expenditures for a given period and the proposed means of financing them.  Financial preparation through budgeting therefore entails making adequate estimates of proposed spending in Ramadan (on programmes and projects) and how to raise the required funds would be sourced from halal channels. Allah says:

    “O mankind! Verily Allah is pure; He will not accept nothing but the pure. And verily Allah commanded the believers with the same command issued to the messengers saying: O messenger, eat from what is pure and work righteously” (Imam Ahmad)

    1. Intellectual preparation: Intellectual preparation entails readiness of Imams, Islamic scholars, Radio/Television preachers and students to acquaint themselves with knowledge, rules, regulations and jurisprudential verdicts on fasting (Sawm) and related religious issues. This is required to provide the needed guidance to Muslims. Ramadan is month on unquantifiable blessings, which can be optimised only if adequate intellectual preparation is made by the learned and learners. Allah says: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may acquire Taqwa. Fast for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have a choice either to fast or to feed a poor person for every day. But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know.” Q2: 183 – 184.

    In conclusion, The Congress urges all Muslims to use this 1438 AH Ramadan, as an opportunity to sensitise the public against all the attacks and tantrums directed at Islam and Muslims in Nigeria especially issues like Hijab, Terrorism, Feminism and demonisation of Sha’riah. This is a divine responsibility that all Muslims must discharge within the scope of our knowledge. Let us also pray for our dear President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We affirm that there is nothing strange in having a president who is sick or recovering from sickness. What matters is the handling. We urge the Federal Government (FG) not to allow mischief makers and corruption-friendly opposition parties to capitalize on the situation” (Professor Is-haq Akintola). May Allah grant President Muhammadu Buhari the required strength and sound health to be able fight corruption, terrorism, bad governance and other socio-economic ills that have captured Nigerians as hostages for years.

    O Messenger! Proclaim which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will protect you from mankind. (Q5:67)

    Abul ‘Ala Maududi had long ago lamented our refusal to proclaim the beautiful message we have. He said: “We are surrounded by treasures, but how do we treat them? We play with them in the same way as that ignorant child who, surrounded by diamonds, regards them as stones. My heart bleeds when I see us frittering away such tremendous wealth and power through ignorance and foolishness”.

    I wish all Muslims a blessed Ramadan.

     

    • Dr AbdurRaheem is Amir of The Muslim Congress (TMC) and Senior Lecturer & Professional Trainer, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Yaba College of Technology Lagos (YABATECH).