The Nation Newspaper

Category: Femi Abbas

  • In Search of a ‘Yusuf’

    Preamble

    This world is a dramatic entity mysteriously coded in parables. Every living thing therein sees it and relates to it according to its own nature of existence. It takes history to decode it only after the actors might have left the stage. Who are we? Where are we coming from? And where are we going from here? Those are some of the questions which all rational human beings should ask themselves from time to time.

    But, in Nigeria, such questions have been rendered irrelevant because the circumstances of life in this retrogressive country have changed the priorities of her citizens. The only question now in vogue, which everybody seems to concentrate upon is this:: ‘what am I getting from this?’ Hmmm! We live in a material world without any material substance.

    That very question is the real drama that has permanently engaged the attention of Nigerians since the commencement of the fourth republic. It is the question that crowns money as the king of the world. It is the question that fosters greed and fetters humanity to the stake of Satan. It is the question that presents mirage to man as the only substance worthy of pursuit. Incidentally, however, no answer to that all-time question has ever proffered any solution to any human problem. Such an answer would rather confirm the ephemerality of this world.

     

    Hope or Despair?

    What can we say of a man who fixes his eyes on the sun but does not see it? Instead, he sees a chorus of flaming seraphim announcing a paroxysm of despair. That is the parable of the country called Nigeria. Like the Israelis of Moses’ time, Nigerians have become gypsies wandering aimlessly and wallowing in abject poverty in the midst of abundance. What else do we expect from Allah beyond the invaluable bounties with which He has blessed us?

    What is Nigeria not blessed with? We have land in abundance, not in terms of size alone but also in terms of agrarian soil and rich vegetation. At least over 77 million hectares of land is said to be arable in Nigeria. Out of this, only about 34 million hectares was reportedly being cultivated for various agricultural activities including husbandry some years ago. This has even dwindled to less than 25 million square hectares as more and more rural youths keep migrating to cities and towns for imaginary greener pastures.

     

    Bountiful Blessings

    We are blessed with rainfalls that water our plants from the sky and graze our animals to satisfaction. We are endowed with variety of nourishing food crops enough to feed us from generation to generation without importing from anywhere. The Qur’an testifies to this in chapter 80 thus:

    “Let man reflect on the food he eats; how ‘We’ pour down the rain in torrents and cleave the earth asunder; how ‘We’ bring forth the corn, the grapes, the fresh vegetables, the olive, the palm products, the thickets, the fruit-trees and the green pasture for you and for your cattle to delight in…” Allah’s favour is regular and incessant. We cannot deny it.

    In addition to the aforementioned, we have energetic and dedicated work force that is married to the farm land in Nigeria despite all odds. We also have intellectual brains that are capable of engaging in research work days and nights to ensure agricultural improvement of our country.

    Nigeria is not lacking in forest and savannah. She is rich in rivers and mountains all of which are great resources for people who are seeking reasonable comfort and are not self-deceptive.

     

    Dearth of Leadership

    What we have consistently lacked is a responsible government that should care about our foremost heritage which is agriculture. That food is becoming a threat to Nigerians today is purely due to naivety of the past governments especially in the disastrous past 16 years of the so-called democratic dispensation from 1999 to 2015. That misfortune started when the first shot at the Presidency in 1999 was entrusted to a parochial ‘prisoner’ who had lost contact with the actual reality of the modern life.

    On his assumption of office in that year, some die hard Nigerian optimists saw him as a reincarnate of the Biblical Yusuf (Joseph) of the Egypt of yore who could rescue Nigeria from an impending economic scourge. But no sooner had he assumed office as President than Nigerians realized that the man who was thought to be a modern day Yusuf coming from the prison to transform the dream of Nigeria into reality was actually a Mathew without focus.

    As a farmer that he claimed to be, before incarceration, he had been expected to act like Chairman Mao of China who started the revolution of that country with agricultural self-sufficiency. But this Mathew eventually confirmed that a man cannot give what he does not possess. Thus, with his style of governance, he proved that he was never tutored in good governance and decency. Those who imposed him on Nigeria have since openly confessed their calamitous error while expressing a belated regret even as are now liking their bleeding fingers with internal agony. Today, Nigeria is worse than what she was two decades ago.

     

    Compounded Tragedy

    The South West governors of that time and their South East counterparts also did not help the matter. Rather than focusing on agriculture which was the natural occupational endowment of their regions, those gold diggers preferred to depend on oil boom largess coming to them from the federal government through the so-called allocation revenue sharing. To them, such a quicker way of making money was more beneficial than investing in agriculture which could only yield results perhaps years after they might have left office.

    In Nigeria, the cost of running government alone is enough to render the   country bankrupt. What were we doing with about 40 federal ministers and scores of Presidential Senior Special Advisers as well a retinue of Special Assistants when even America with her huge economic resource, large but effective population and adequate financial wherewithal had only about a dozen ministers?

    Besides, what informs the idea of the so-called constituency allowances for legislators running into billions of naira, at the federal and state levels, especially at a time when innocent women and children were crying for food which is a foremost necessity of life?

     

    Evidence of Hunger

    No one could think about two decades ago that artificial hunger would be added to the abysmal level of poverty in Nigeria despite the unprecedented rise in price of oil in the international market during those wasted years. However, with the lotus eaters in government, Nigeria became an artful trick adopted to bamboozle the populace into blind submission. The propaganda in the 1980s, spearheaded by a government agency called Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), established by the self-styled military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, and headed by Professor Jerry Gana was almost hypnotizing. That Agency’s slogan of “Food and Shelter for All in the Year 2000” rented the air with wide reverberation but in the end, nothing came out of it. Rather, some new multi-millionaires suddenly emerged from the smart project. That slogan was to later change in the 1990s to: “Vision 2010” with loud brouhaha under the dark goggled dictatorship of Sani Abacha. And when year 2010 began to approach under the Presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, the slogan again changed to: ‘Vision 202020 in which Nigeria was deceptively envisioned to become one of the 20 most buoyant economies in the world. Both of that vision and its initiators have now naturally and quietly fizzled out into hopelessness.

     

    Game of Deception

    It takes two to tangle. If the deceptive leaders of those years could pretend not to know that a game of deception was in place, was the deceived populace   also pretending to play along? It takes a visionless populace to beget a deceptive government as the case in Nigeria. No country in history is ever known to have achieved economic vibrancy by magic and Nigeria could not have been an exception. But that was the portion of a self-glorified country that calls itself ‘the giant of Africa’. And, today, what is the result of that self-deception?

    In a report of the Food and Agricultural Organization some years back, about 300 Nigerians were said to be dying of hunger daily. Only God knows what that figure has risen to become now. Yet, rather than reacting to that sad news practically by devising a policy of rescuing the downtrodden people from the scourge of poverty, our government turned deaf ear. Rather, it continued to assure the populace that Nigeria would soon become one of the biggest economies in the world even as the easy money accruing from our petroleum resources was being partly stolen brazenly and partly shared monthly among states and political cronies without any benefit to the masses.

     

    Yar’Adua’s Tenure

    By some actions taken during his tenure, President Musa Yar’Adua of the blessed memory remains commendable for showing the example of governance with human face and human heart. He regulated the importation of food items and suspended tariffs on importation of essencial food items to the relief of all and sundry. He also released grains from the national silos to check inflation and pumped N400 billion into the economy for the purpose of creating about 10 million jobs then. He also granted unconditional amnesty to the then South-South agitators and thereby opened way for negotiation with them in the interest of peace and harmony.

    Although, such measures were far from being adequate for a country which was aspiring to become one of the biggest economies in 2020, the move was generally seen as a good beginning of a hopeful future. However, as soon as Yar’Adua died, all progressive steps were suspended and the national treasury was thrown open for audacious thieves to scoop upon with impunity.

     

    The Jonathan Years

    Now, it is evident that no miracle could have yielded any success based on a ramshackle foundation laid down for Nigerian economy by a Mathew (from the prison) who, as President, could hardly reason beyond the siege mentality of the prison yard from where he had emerged. If Goodluck Jonathan who succeeded Yar’Adua as President had sincerely meant well for Nigeria he would have known that the vessel which took this country’s Napoleon to the proverbial island of Elba was incapable of conveying Nigeria to the Cape of Good Hope.

    Yusuf (Joseph), the son of Ya’qub (Jacob), did not know that he could have any solution to the then fundamental problem of Egypt. But the accident of history never ceases to play itself out. Without Yusuf, only Allah knows what the history of Egypt would have been today. And without a Pharaoh’s dream of drought, the story of Yusuf would have been totally different from what we now know of it.

     

    Egypt of the 1970s

    Yours sincerely was a student in Egypt in the 1970s when the hostility between that country and Israel was fierce. Egypt was then an ally of the (now defunct) Soviet Union while Israel was virtually a satellite of the United States. Not only did Egypt suffer isolation from NATO member countries but even the Soviet Union which was supposed to be the main ally of Egypt was not forthcoming with any meaningful assistance beyond the supply of light and medium range weapons. Thus, the Egyptian government had to buckle in firmly in other to fend for its people at that critical time.

    Realizing the importance of food supply especially in a war situation, Egypt mobilized all her agricultural resources around the River Nile and forgot about any food importation. The result was tremendous as Egypt grew to become a food exporter rather than an importer that it had been for years.

    Uganda for Instance

    Less than three decades ago, Uganda, a sub-Sahara African country, found herself in the position of Egypt. A colossal drought broke out in that country killing thousands of people and virtually wiping out the entire cattle business in the country. No Pharaoh had any dreamed premonition and no Yusuf was in a prison to translate any dream into a solution.

    What the Ugandan government did to find a solution was to reset the country’s agricultural focus. Rather than concentrating on tilling the already sapped land and rearing the cattle, which drought had eroded, a new focus was brought to bear. Uganda took to commercial ‘bee farming’ as a relieving alternative. The seriousness which the government of that country attached to the new focus was such that Uganda became a leading country in the production and exportation of honey and other bee products to Europe and the United States.

     

    Nigeria’s Situation Today

    Today, Nigeria is not afflicted by drought or famine. Neither is she engaged in any uncontrollable war. Yet, the fear in vogue is hunger compounded by insecurity. How this country arrived at such a deadly scourge is irrelevant for now. What is relevant is how to get out of it. Like Egypt of yore, Nigeria needed a ‘Yusuf’ to unravel the mystery surrounding the dream that brought this scourge about. With the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as President, that ‘Yusuf’ seems to be here. It is only left to Nigerians to learn a lesson from the Egyptian example by cooperating with the current government as the Egyptians of yore did with Yusuf who eventually solved their problem. Chief Audu Ogbe is now the Minister of Agriculture. Will he be the long awaited Yusuf?

    It is in the interest of those in government, especially the legislators who are most active in sharing public funds, to let the national wealth spread across board legitimately if only to avoid the current Lagos situation where every house has become a prison in which the occupants are self-jailed voluntarily. To ignore the rule of law and shun justice in a land blessed with milk and honey is to cultivate trouble with insecurity in all its ramifications.

     

    Observation

    Where people are well educated and conscious of their rights; where they perceive wealth as a divine privilege and not an exclusive right of any group; where they see themselves as qualified but denied their legitimate entitlements; nobody can consign them to ignominy indefinitely. They will react in no uncertain terms. That was what obtained in the recent past which paved way for insurgency. It must not be allowed to continue. Let Nigeria grow from a country into a nation that we may all be proud to be her citizens. “….God does not change the situation of a community until such a community is ready for change”…. Q. 13:11

  • Mirror of Life

    Preamble

    Here is the month in which the revelation of the Qur’an began. The revelation of the sacred Book in this sacred month called Ramadan is quite symbolic as it confers the entire habitat of human existence. It is the Qur’an that enables humanity to know the significance of the month called Ramadan. Thus, the relationship between the Qur’an and Ramadan is as symbiotic as the one between the egg and the hen. It is difficult for the one to claim an origin that is different from that of the other. Ramadan brings the Qur’an into life just as the Qur’an gives Ramadan its divine identity.

    The word Qur’an means continuous recitation. It is so defined because of its inimitable origin which makes it a compelling daily recitation throughout the world, across nations and centuries. Qur’an contains the unsurpassable words of Allah not only in the grandeur of its diction and splendour of its rendition but also in the depth of its meaning, substance and profundity.

     

    Revelation

    The revelation of this sacred ‘Book’ to mankind through an unlettered desert Arab, Muhammad (SAW) the son of Abdullah and Aminah, began in 610 CE. It lasted 22 years and three months (12 years in Makkah and12 years plus three months in Madinah). The book contains 114 chapters and 6236 verses (not 6666 verses often erroneously quoted by most Nigerian Muslim clerics). Of these 114 chapters, 86 were revealed in Makkah and 28 in Madinah. But the 28 chapters revealed in Madinah constitute two thirds of the Book. And this is because the Makkah chapters are short and rhythmic while those of Madinah are long and prose-like.

    Although the Qur’an was revealed orally, its writing began as soon as its revelations commenced. The writing was however done on primitive materials like wood, animal hide, back of trees, tablets of rock and others of the like which were then readily available. It was only a year (633 C.E) after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), that those writings were rendered into a book form not in a foreign language as in the case of the Bible but in Arabic which was its original language of revelation. And one of the wonders in documenting the Qur’anic revelations is the classification of those revelations into chapters and verses by the Prophet himself despite his unlettered status.

     

    Manner of Presentation

    The manner of presenting the Qur’anic revelations is simple and direct. It employs neither artifice nor conventional poses. Its main appeal is to man’s intellect, feelings and imagination. It does not only touch the anecdotes of previous Prophets and nations in different ages and even the accounts of earlier revelations, it also covers the entire period of human existence from the beginning of creation to the very last Day of Judgment.

    Besides the above, the Qur’an also gives insight into some natural phenomena like spherical objects and revolution of the earth (Q. 39:5) the formation of rain (Q. 30:48); the fertilization of the wind (Q. 15:22); the revolution of the sun, the moon and the planets in their fixed orbits (Q. 36:29-38); the aquatic origin of all creatures (Q. 21:30); the duality of the sex of plants and other creatures (Q. 36:35); the collective life of animals (Q.6:38); the mode of life of the bees (Q. 16:69) and the successive phases of the child in the mother’s womb (Q. 22:5 & 23:14). It is only in the Qur’an, of all revealed Books that all these can be found. Or can anybody point out anything similar to these in any other revealed book?

    Yet, the purpose of this Qur’an is not to teach history, astronomy, philosophy or sciences. It is rather to guide mankind in their pursuit of knowledge towards achieving the benefits of each of these fields throughout human odyssey.

     

    Language of the Qur’an

    Most Muslim clerics recite the Qur’an in its original language (Arabic) without understanding what they are reciting because they do not speak that language.  Some read it as a means of solving their imaginary problems thus taking the Qur’an for a charm which must yield result if manipulated towards their whims. The Qur’an is not meant for that purpose. It is rather the manual of life for man by which he lives his daily life and conducts his daily affairs.

    The word Qur’an means continuous recitation and understanding. It is so called because of its inimitable origin which makes it a compelling daily reading throughout the world and across ages. It contains the unsurpassable words of Allah not only in the grandeur of its diction and the splendour of its rendition but also in the depth of its meaning, substance and profundity.

     

    Proof of Originality

    That the Qur’an is the only revealed ‘BOOK’ in the world today that has consistently retained the originality of both its language and contents for over 1400 years is enough a testimony to the proof of its divine origin. That also confirms not only the genuineness of the prophet-hood of Muhammad (SAW) as a Messenger of Allah but also the lucidity of Arabic as one of the oldest languages in the world today. Thus, just as there can be no proof of the identity of a messenger without the authenticity of the message so can there be  no proof of the genuineness of the prophetic mission of Muhammad (SAW) outside the proof of the originality of the Qur’an.

     

    Proof of Divine Origin

    It cannot be strange to see anybody who perceives the immortal God in the image of a mortal being to perceive Islam as a mere dogma like any other religion. It is such people who keep asking for the proof of Qur’anic revelation as if other revelations before the Qur’an do not need proof. In reason and logic, asking for the proof of the Qur’an after all the manifest evidences in its contents is like asking the sun to prove its rays. However, it is the nature and character of unbelievers to deny the truth and refute the obvious. But does it really bother the sun that a blind man denies its existence? Or can a brook be bothered in anyway if the herds boycott its water?

     

    Features of the Qur’an

    Qur’an leaves no aspect of life untouched just as it leaves no secret unrevealed. Problems and solutions; history and lessons; crimes and penalties; justice and righteousness; discipline and courage; friendship and trust; leadership and governance; education and methodology; marriage and divorce; widowhood and orphanage; childhood and inheritance; poverty and wealth; opinion and logic; facts and figures; life and death; darkness and light; war and peace; leadership and power; angel, jinn and man; heavens and earth; all these and many other  matters relating to man and his environment form the subjects of discussion and guidance in the ‘Divine Diary of Life called the Qur’an’.

     

    Profile of the Qur’an

    The revelation of this Book to mankind through an unlettered desert Arab, Muhammad (SAW) son of Abdullah and Aminah, began in the month of Ramadan in year 610 CE. It lasted about 23 years (10 years in Makkah and12 years plus a few months in Madinah). The book contains 114 chapters and 6246 verses (not 6666 verses often announced by most Imams and Alfas). Any individual can verify this by checking the number of verses in each chapter and adding them together. It does not take more than one hour to do this.

    Of the 114 chapters contained in the Qur’an, 86 were revealed in Makkah and 28 in Madinah. But the 28 chapters revealed in Madinah constitute two thirds of the entire Sacred Book. And this is because the Makkah chapters are short and rhythmic while those of Madinah are long and prose-like.

     

    Writing of the Qur’an

    Although the Qur’an was revealed orally, its writing began almost immediately the revelations started. The writing was however done on primitive materials like wood, animal hides, back of trees and others of the like which were then readily available. It was only much later, after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), that those writings were brought together and rendered into a book form.

    One of the wonders of recording the Qur’an in writing is the classification of those revelations into chapters and verses by the Prophet himself despite his Inability to read and write.

    The manner of presenting the Qur’anic revelations is simple and direct. It employs neither artifice nor conventional poses. Its main appeal is to man’s intellect, feelings and imagination. It does not only touch the anecdotes of the past Prophets in different ages and nations as well as the accounts of earlier revelations, it also covers the period from the beginning of creation to the very last Day of Judgment and beyond.

     

    Qur’anic References

    Not only that, Al-Qur’an also gives insight into some natural phenomena like sphericity and revolution of the earth (Q. 39:5) the formation of rain (Q. 30:48); the fertilization of the wind (Q. 15:22); the revolution of the sun, the moon and the planets in their fixed orbits (Q. 36:29-38); the aquatic origin of all creatures (Q. 21:30); the duality of the sex of plants and other creatures (Q. 36:35); the collective life of animals (Q.6:38); the mode of life of the bees (Q. 16:69) and the successive phases of the child in the mother’s womb (Q. 22:5 & 23:14). Yet, the purpose of this Book is not to teach history, astronomy, philosophy or sciences.

     

    Qur’anic Lessons

    In this glorious Book are practical lessons such as the great deluge, the cataclysm of Sodom and Gomorrah, the defeat of Jalut (Goliath) by Daud (David), the doom of the tyrannical Pharaoh, and similar catastrophes that had afflicted iniquitous people of the past. All these are taught to man through the Qur’an that he (man) might know how to re-assess himself continually and properly akin to the guidance of Allah.

    Apart from the facts mentioned above, many other devices were adopted from time to time, by Allah, to remind man of his mortality and to see him through a successful sojourn on earth. But unfortunately, man has always been blind to genuine divine guidance just as he has been deaf to warnings and deviant of reason as much as he has persistently been insensitive to rightful thoughts even as he remains unreceptive to positive ideas. In his choice to form freemasonry with Satan, man has ignorantly and continuously strayed into a quagmire of sorrow. Taking Satan for his best friend, he refuses to use the long spoon with which he is provided through the Qur’an by Allah to dine with the damned Lucifer.

     

    Testimony

    To Muslims who understand the teachings of Islam through the Qur’an, all the genuine Messengers including Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) are from Allah and all the divinely revealed ‘BOOKS’ are series of the same Allah’s  ‘MESSAGE’ to mankind. They are like Ambassadors of a nation to another nation. Changing them from time to time does not change the constitution of nation from where they come or the foreign policy of that nation. This fact has been firmly established in the Qur’an itself thus:

    “The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad (SAW) believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord; and every true believer also believes in Allah, His Angels, His revealed Books and His Messengers. We do not discriminate against anyone of them (those Messengers) as they say we hear and obey (the contents of the revelation). Oh God! We seek your forgiveness. To You is our return” Q. 3:285-286

     

    Discipline

    It is evident that true Muslims are not known for maligning any Prophet or genuinely revealed ‘BOOKS’ that have not reflected any traces of human tampering. Right from its very first day of revelation, the Qur’an has come with undeniable proof. But it takes only a divinely cleansed heart to comprehend such proof and acknowledge its authenticity. Qur’an itself is the master proof of all other celestial messages that preceded it. It is the final divine revelation which has no human interference or tampering.

    Neither Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who brought this Sacred Book to mankind nor any of his companions (or disciples) had a say in it. The Book contains no chapters or verses according to anybody. And unlike some other books no one speaks in the Qur’an on behalf of Allah in the name of revelation. Even the personal expressions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about mundane life which are generally known as Hadith were not to be mingled with the verses of the Qur’an despite his endowed divine inspirations. And where such expressions seem to contradict any part of the Qur’an they automatically become superseded by the contents of the latter.

     

    The Qur’an as Mirror

    Qur’an is the extraordinary compendium in which the activities of man from the very beginning of human existence to the end of human life are chronicled. It is the eternally concrete ‘MIRROR’ through which the descendants of Adam and Hawau can see life in its past, its present and its near and far future. This ‘MIRROR’ is the spectacle that heals the blind, the natural manure that fertilizes the human brain and the greatest treasure in the possession of mankind.

    For the rightly guided mind, the Qur’an is the eye with which to see, the ear with which to hear and the sense with which to reason. It is the bridge across the valleys of life; the insurance against any damnation; the passport for salvation and the only reliable redeemer of mankind.

    For any divinely tamed mind therefore, life begins and ends with the Qur’an, Allah’s own tradition and the only authentic fountain from which man can draw and sip the living spring of wisdom. The sense that reasons with the Qur’an makes no mistake. Any mind that thinks with the Qur’an can never be devilled. Any eye that sees with the Qur’an can never incur sore. Any tongue that talks with the Qur’an can never stammer. Any power that genuinely rules with the Qur’an can never fall. Meanwhile, the Almighty Allah warns in this non-such Book (the Qur’an) thus: “But whosoever deviates from My guidance, verily for him is life of subjugation and We shall raise him up a blind person on the Day of resurrection” (Q. 20: 124).

     

    Controversy

    Meanwhile, there is a raging controversy among Muslim scholars over the first and last revelations in the Qur’an. Much as this controversy is unwarranted, it may be necessary to clear the coast here (without claiming authority) if only for the purpose of authenticating history.

    It is almost a consensus that the first revealed chapter in the Qur’an is Suratul ‘Alaq (Chapter of the Clot). But the very first revelation reaching   Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through Angel Jubril is ‘BASMALAH’ (In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful) which precedes every chapter in the Qur’an except one (Suratut-Tawbah) .

    As a Messenger of Allah to another Messenger of Allah, Angel Jubril couldn’t have commanded Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to read anything without doing so in the name of Allah who sent him with the message. Thus, Suratul ‘Alaq, as preceded by ‘BASMALAH’, could only have been the first revealed verse but not the first chapter.  And that is logical.

    As for the last revelation in the Qur’an majority of Nigerian Muslim scholars believe that it is chapter 5, verse 3 of the Qur’an which says: ‘’Today, I have perfected your religion for you and completed my favour on you. And, I am pleased with Islam for you as religion’’.

    That verse of the Qur’an that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at ‘Arafah while performing his farewell Hajj couldn’t have been the last revelation because came 81 days before the demise of the Prophet (SAW). Another revelation came thereafter which about nine days before the Prophet fell sick and died. This can be found in Qur’an 2: 281 which says: “And fear the day when you shall all return to Allah; the day when every soul shall be requited according to its desert and none shall be wronged”.

     

    CLARIRFICATION

    The earlier verse was an accentuation of Hajj as the last pillar of Islam. And that was why it came on ‘Arafah Day. The latter is a reminder of man’s final destination and the account of his worldly activities. These and many more are what readers of the Qur’an should know inside out. But the big question is this: who will teach them when the supposed teachers have sold out to money and ignorance? To Muslims who are conscious of their spiritual affinity and retain their conscience for the day they will meet their Creator and account for their deeds on earth ‘The Message’ says RAMADAN KARIM!

     

  • Guest of integrity

    Guest of integrity

    Guests, everywhere in the world, are of different types. Some are of honour and treated with integrity because of their acknowledged dignity. Some are bereft of honour but merely tolerated for their nuisance value. Each time we talk of guests, people invariably think only of humans in the erroneous belief that no other creature could be qualified for that title. What they don’t seem to know is that humans are just a fraction of Allah’s creatures. There are millions of others not often noticed by man. One of such creatures is environment of which season is a part. The phenomenon called season comes in different forms with different intensity and at different times of the year.

     

    Similitude 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 multiple of months. No one measures a season in the absence of months as there can be no seasons without months.

    Europeans have so much respect for seasons that when they have an important guest they call him an ‘August visitor’. The month of August is the peak of summer season and the most comfortable month of hospitality for the Caucasian race of Europe hence the term.

    In Islam, the most venerable guest is Ramadan. Its visiting time is not restricted to any particular season or Gregorian month. Its arrival in the world may coincide with that of any season. It is therefore a guest of all seasons.

    With Ramadan as a special guest of honour, not only the Muslims but the entire humanity is consciously or unconsciously engaged in hospitable activities. Those who cannot fast in it do take advantage of its presence to sell or buy some relevant needs and wants. Thus, there can be no indifference to the awful presence of Ramadan in any part of the world.

    Once every year, Ramadan creeps into the world like the early morning light. It moves kaleidoscopically into an arena where the centre becomes its stool. It lifts its veil and beams a focus on the world with an arresting attention in the days just as it envelops the nights in a shroud of a divine covenant linking the dream of man with his fulfilment.

     

    Its journey

    No one knows Ramadan’s 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. Its arrival is often heralded by a retinue of envoys. The months of ‘Rajab’ and ‘Sha’ban’ are the immediate escorts that alert us of its imminent arrival. 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.

    Call it the king where other months are chiefs and you will be dead right. Call it the doctor in a world of sick people and you will not be wrong. Call it the sage among the novice and you would have hit the nail on the head. Call it the compass in the wilderness of straying humanity and you would have spoken the truth. Call it the reformer of human soul; the sterilizer of human spirit as well as the purifier of human body and you will not be disputed. In its entourage are equally invisible ministers like piety, knowledge, truth, justice and peace all of which usher it into the world with splendour.

     

    Definition

    Deriving its name from a natural healing phenomenon, this ninth lunar month is truly baking in effect. The word:  Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramd (meaning baking). The name had been in existence before the advent of Islamic calendar. It was coined from a baking summer that immediately followed a freezing winter. Ever since, Ramadan has been perceived as a pivotal agent for firming up all loose ends in the life of man. And it does that with a touch of perfection.

     

    Its mission

    The entire month of Ramadan which consists of 30 or 29 days is spent in fasting from dawn to dusk. Such fasting is not about abstinence from foods and drinks alone. It is also about self restraint from all sinful acts. It is about repackaging one’s destiny through a new but sincere resolution.

    Fasting during this month is believed to figuratively burn away all sins. It was in this glorious month that the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) first began.

    In this month, all gates of paradise, according to the Prophet, are open while those of hell are closed. The first ten days in it are blessings galore for those of the Muslim Ummah who need blessings and seek for them. The next 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. Thus, Ramadan is far beyond a month. It is a season.

     

    Its anchor leg

    The last ten days of this sacred month form the anchor leg of Ramadan which is meant for the liberation of mankind from the manacles of Satan. Whoever is so liberated automatically becomes like a new born baby arriving in a new world with a tabula rasa (clean slate).

    In these last ten days is a particular night (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 meet the D night.

    Allah did not disclose even to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which particular night it is. But by asking the Muslims to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten days, the Prophet has helped us tremendously. However, who can be so sure of the odd nights when the issue of sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan remains controversial?

    Also, during the last ten days of Ramadan, some willing Muslims, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), do go for Umrah in Makkah or take to I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) locally, to reaffirm their total submission to Allah. Following this is a session of charity made compulsory for all Muslims irrespective of age, gender and status, to give to the poor and the needy. This is called Zakatul Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr. It is given 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 Ummah in a festive mood.

     

    Anticlimax

    The first day of the month of Shawwal that immediately after Ramadan is the anticlimax of expectation traditionally spent in great celebrations with rejoice and observed as the ‘Festival of fast Breaking the (Eidul Fitr).

    Where else can one find a guest like Ramadan? Where else can one meet a guest that hosts his hosts and heals them of ignorance and 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’ which means ‘Venerable Ramadan’.

     

    Preparation

    To start or end fasting in Ramadan, sighting of the crescent is just symbolic. The indices of recognising when to start or end the month are naturally vivid to those who care.

    Ramadan is preceded by two glorious lunar months of Rajab and Sha’ban for fun. The number of days in those two months is to enable any serious Muslim know the time of arrival of Ramadan and prepare for it. No lunar month exceeds 30 days and none is less than 29 days.

    Crescent or no crescent, it is very possible and easy to know when to start Ramadan every year. The confusion often created by the sighting of the crescent is therefore avoidable. If Rajab is 30 or 29 days, no one looks for the crescent before starting Sha’ban. As soon as Rajab ends, Sha’ban starts.

     

    Dynamism

    Islam is a dynamic religion and nothing should be rigid or dogmatic about sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan. Sighting the crescent is not the only condition for starting the great month. After all, the new crescent is not necessarily visible to all eyes at any given time in any locality at a particular time. That is why a few people who may be privileged to sight it are implored to invite some others to witness it and then inform the recognized authorities who will in turn, announce the arrival of Ramadan to the Muslim community in the locality or region.

    Besides Faith (Iman) and Hajj (which are the first and last pillars of Islam), nothing else is really globally uniform in practical terms with regards to timing. The variation in the geography of the earth has legitimized the variation of time in the observance of Salat, Sawm and Zakat. Iman is global because it resides permanently in the hearts of the believers irrespective of their localities. Hajj is equally global because it is performed in only one place at a particular time.

     

    Geographical factor

    Where a gap of about nine to eleven hours exists between one part of the world and another, talking of global uniformity in starting or ending Ramadan can only border on sheer ignorance. For instance it is impossible for the Australian Muslims living in Australia and their South American brethren residing in Brazil or Argentina to start Ramadan on the same day. Even within Nigeria, all Muslims can start Ramadan on the same day, only if they have equal access to information. And even with that, it is not possible for them all to start or end daily fasting at the same time of the day. That is why the announcement or publication of Ramadan timing according to the various localities is necessary.

    That Ramadan fasting is prescribed as a universal obligation for all Muslims in a particular month is deliberate. Allah who did the prescription is not oblivious of the geographical variations in the world. Neither is He unaware of the possible invisibility of a new crescent to most eyes. The design is to allow for the reverberation of the effect of Ramadan across the world. And time variation in worship or celebration of festivals is not peculiar to Islam. Even in Christianity, neither Easter nor Christmas is globally celebrated in one day. And, there is no media noise about it.

    What is global about Ramadan fasting is the month and not the time. Dawn and dusk vary from locality to locality. It is therefore possible for the Muslims in one part of the world to be breaking their daily fast at a time when their brethren in another part are commencing theirs. Thus, the genuineness or otherwise of Ramadan fasting is not to be judged by man. That is why Allah is reported by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as saying in a sacred Hadith (Hadith ul Qudsi) that: “Fasting is mine and I am the One to grant rewards on it.”

    Welcome to the coast of Ramadan. This sacred ‘ship’ must not leave the coast without you on board. Ramadan is like an institution of learning. A good Muslim must not just pass through it he must also allow it to pass through him. Who knows when the last time to witness the month will be?

     

     Where is Gawat?

    Retrospectively, July 10, 2012 (a Tuesday) can be described as a shocking day for Nigerian Muslim Ummah. That day, the Nigerian electronic media waves throbbed with a shocking and unbelievable news saying: the popular Islamic programme (e dide e mu sari je) presenter was missing. The waves added that whoever knew his whereabouts or heard any information about him should report to the nearest Police Station or any other relevant authorities. The breaking news sent jitters to millions and puzzled millions of others. Here was a well known human being and not a chattel. Where and how do you start looking for him?

    Brothers and sisters immediately took up the matter as a knotty task which must be unraveled. Text messages and phone calls, e-mails and face-book communications began in earnest. Yours sincerely was busy with a project in Ilorin when the sad news came through text messages. In less than one hour after the outbreak of the news the entire world had known of it. And that evidently confirmed the global village created by the modern technology. Thus, the search for ‘a golden fish’ in a turbulent ocean became a task for all and sundry.

     

    Unfortunate Rumour

    Thereafter, the Nigerian factor set in. Rumours began to fly across boundaries as evil agents added their inputs. First, we heard that Gawat had been found and taken to his family. Then came the devilish rumour that the episode was a complicity in which his wife’s hand was vivid. The evil rumour mongers even had the audacity of sending text messages to me   saying that his wife was already in Police gulag. I immediately called the wife to enquire about her whereabouts. And when she told me that she was at home with the children I heaved a deep sigh of fervent relief. It was one moment of embarrassment at its topmost height.

    I had known Razak Gawat since 1984 as an amiable gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour. He was humble, respectful and magnanimous in appearance, utterances and actions. When I met his wife a couple of years later I believed that a compatible couple was in the making with potential model. And it actually turned out to be so.

     

    Imagination

    One can now imagine Hajiya Fatima’s life without Alhaji Razak Aremu Gawat. It is possible to be dead suddenly for whatever reason but the body will be seen. And in a jungle like Nigeria called a country, it is possible for a prominent person of Gawat’s status to be kidnapped for a ransom by hoodlums and their godfather. But in this case, none of these occurred. What is unimaginable and which remains a puzzle is for a person of Gawat’s personality to suddenly disappear mysteriously with his car within the city of Lagos without any trace. Now, all said and done, four years after that agonizing episode, the question still being asked, despite the acclaimed security in the country, is: ‘where is Gawat?

    Well, the evil doers might have done their worst but let not those behind this devilish episode feel that the deed has been finally sealed. Yes, to man it may look so. But to Allah, nothing is ever hidden as the divine repercussion of such an episode is just a matter of when and how. We pray Allah to protect and stand by Gawat’s family.

    Watch Out for Ramadan Guide

     

    The usual daily column often written by yours sincerely in the month of Ramadan will start in this newspaper on Monday, June 6, 2016 when Ramadan is supposed to commence.  Please, watch out for it as it will be quite interesting. RAMADAN KARIM!

  • MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    And hold fast to the cord of Allah and do not be disunited. And remember the Mercy of Allah upon you when you became adversaries to one another and Allah saved you from falling into the quagmire of Hell by reconciling your hearts with love. That is Allah’s way of illustrating His signs to you that you may be grateful”. Q. 3: 103   

     

    Preamble

    This article was meant for publication in this column on Friday, April 29, 2016. That was about five days after the second General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) was held on Sunday, April 24, 2016.

    That the article was not published as scheduled was not the fault of yours sincerely.

    The venue of the General Assembly was the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan. More than 350 delegates, including the Chairmen and Secretaries of the six States’ Muslim Councils/Communities in the Southwest and a sizable number of prominent guests from the region were in attendance.

     

    Roll Call

    The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Senator Ishak Abiola Ajimobi, was ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ishmael Lekan Ali.

    A onetime World Court Judge and Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice, His Excellency, Prince Abdul Jabbar Bola Ajibola, who is also the Chairman of MUSWEN’s Board of Trustees was present.

    Also, a former Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith and a former Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Najeem Awodele were among the prominent personalities present at the occasion.

    Among other prominent personalities present were a former Deputy Director-General of the Stock Exchange, Alhaji Rasak Oladejo, a onetime President of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Sulaiman Owoyemi and the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the Southwest, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as well as the Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe.

    Also present were a retinue of professors, including T. G. O. Gbadamosi, Lateef Hussein, SHA Malik, AF Ahmad, M. O. Abdul Rahman, K. K. Oloso, Taoheed Adedoja and others too many to be listed here.

    There were others like the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyyi Ajigbotomokekere as well as Baba Isale Adini of Ibadan, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade.

    It was not all an men affair as some frontline Muslim women in the region were conspicuously present.

    These include Iya Adinni of Yoruba land, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Dr. (Mrs.) Lateefah Durosinmi (a former national Amirah of FOMWAN), Alhaja Surura Oyero, the current National PRO of FOMWAN; Alhaja Simiat Ogundiran, the Amirah of FOMWAN, Oyo State, Alhaja Faosat Aliu, Amirah of FOMWAN, Ondo State; Alhaja Medina Akanni, Amirah of Criterion, Oyo State; Alhaja Rafat Momoh, a former Amirah of MUSWEN, Ondo State and many others that cannot be accommodated here.

     

    Opening Remark

    In his opening remark at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Prof D. O. S. Noibi gave a brief situation report of MUSWEN’s first General Assembly held in 2015 and the secretariat activities sequel to that event.

    He also relayed the various MUSWEN’s achievements in the year ending and seized the opportunity to project the expected achievements in the year ahead.

    The Chairman of the GA’s 23 member Planning Committee was Professor Muhib O. Opeloye while the Secretary was Alh. Tajudeen Alabede, the Assistant Director, Programmes and Corporate Services of MUSWEN

     

    Life like weather

    Life is like weather. It changes posture from season to season. If the weather is too hot in summer, let no hope be lost. A clement weather may be experienced in winter. There is no weather without effect. Nigerians are currently in an uncertain economic weather in which nothing is predictable with precision.

    This was the situation that influenced the theme of MUSWEN’s second General Assembly held penultimate Sunday. That theme was ‘Zakah and Poverty Alleviation’.

    Nigerian Muslims have been perennially facing two fundamental problems. One is poverty, the other is ignorance. A solution to one can automatically proffer a solution to the other. But the failure on the parts of the concerned stakeholders to search for any solution at all has consistently remained a spectre tormenting the faith of most Muslims day and night.

     

    The president’s welcome address

    In his welcome address, at the occasion, the President of MUSWEN, His Excellency, Dr. Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola OON said inter alia that:

    “….Despite the fact that we are operating in a particularly difficult time in the nation’s history, MUSWEN has recorded a number of accomplishments since our last General Assembly, especially with efforts that were geared towards deepening and widening relations with stakeholders within the Ummah both within and outside the region”.

    “With effective coordination by the Secretariat, the active collaboration of the other organs of MUSWEN and the State Councils/Communities as well as the critical support of other stakeholders, it is heart-warming that MUSWEN has continued to serve as the rallying point for Muslims in the region”.

     

    State of the Nation

    Talking about the state of the nation as at the time of the General Assembly, the President of MUSWEN said:

    “It is especially significant that inspite of the fears that we all had early last year, Allah helped us to survive the negative predictions about the 2015 general elections…. There is no gain saying the fact that our dear nation, Nigeria, is passing through a difficult time. In the last few years, the socio-economic climate has been tough. People are daily faced with hard choices. Insecurity, corruption and poor economy have continued to plague the nation”.

    “It is gratifying, however, that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is making frantic efforts to get Nigeria out of the woods.

    The battle against insurgency in the Northeast is giving Nigerians the hope that, in not too distant future, that part of the country would regain its peace that was shattered some years back”.

    “A sad development arising from the dastardly act of insurgency was the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.

    It is worrisome that for over two years now, the Chibok girls have remained in bondage. I, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to do all it could to ensure the safe return of the girls to their families. But more importantly, let us fervently pray to Allah for the safety and return of the girls”.

    “In the same vein, the fight against corruption could not have come at a better time. Given the amount of information about the level of corruption that Nigeria had sunk into, one can only say that we are really fortunate that Nigeria is now on its way back to sanity and global respect.

    To this end, the President and his team need the support and prayers of all well-meaning Nigerians, including Muslims, as they strive to reset the nation on the path to progress and greatness”.

     

    State of the Region

    Appraising the situation of the Southwest region, Alhaji Babalola made the following observation:

    “The Southwest region of Nigeria is blessed by Allah with abundant human and natural resources. What’s more, the region is noted for setting the pace in matters of progress and development. It is not for nothing that this region is home to Nigerians from diverse backgrounds who seek means and ways to fortune and personal progress….”

    “While I must acknowledge the challenges faced by the state governments in the region in their desire to develop the region, our people have no reason to be poor.

    I, on behalf of Muslim stakeholders in the region, therefore, wish to use this opportunity to appeal to our political leaders in the region to pool their resources together and make genuine effort to revamp and integrate the economies of the states for the greater glory of the region and our people”.

    He continued thus: “In the same vein, I am delighted about the atmosphere of peace and religious harmony that continues to exist among our people irrespective of their religious affiliations. This is a tradition that has earned the Southwest region the respect of other people. However, experience has shown that more still needs to be done.

    Of particular significance is the need for more accommodation of Muslims in the political structure of Ekiti State. Muslims in the state deserve a better deal. The principles of equity, fairness and inclusive leadership need to be adequately respected in multi-stakeholder settings like ours”.

    And in conclusion, the President of MUSWEN said: “I must not end this address without recognising the critical support of the State Councils/Communities, the League of Imams and Alfas, major Muslim title holders, Islamic organisations and other stakeholders whose sustained commitment has continued to make the idea of MUSWEN a pleasant reality: “K’ajo kan l’awa nse” (to be one united body is our objective)”.

     

    The BOT Chairman

    In his own remark, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT),  Prince  ‘Abdul Jabbaar Bola Ajibola, SAN, KBE, CFR, LLD, DLitt, FNIALS, after welcoming the delegates and guests to the second General Assembly, commended the Presidency of MUSWEN for cooperating with the Board of Trustees in working for unity, welfare and progress of the Muslim Ummah saying:

    ”As the custodians of the shared values of our organisation, the BOT has followed with keen interest and a sense of satisfaction the various indicators of progress in MUSWEN since the last General Assembly.

    The BOT is  particularly glad to note that MUSWEN has been successful in reaching out to an increasing number of corporate and individual stakeholders within the Ummah and beyond.

    There is no doubt about the fact that this is surely the best way to further strengthen the organisation for the benefit of the Ummah.

     

    Deputy President-General of NSCIA

    The support of the stakeholders to the BOT in the course of consultations on the nomination of a new candidate for the position of Deputy President-General (South) of NSCIA is particularly commendable.

    This Second Assembly should, therefore, be regarded as an opportunity for us to resolve to build on the successes recorded so far in this and other regards. The various organs of NSCIA should, on the other hand, resolve not to rest on their oars but to do more for the benefit of the apex body.

     

    About the theme

    In view of the importance of the theme of the Second Assembly – Zakah and Poverty Alleviation – the BOT wishes to commend all of those who have been supporting MUSWEN financially, believing that Allah will continue to reward them most richly in fulfilment of His promise. It is my hope that the theme will deepen our collective consciousness to support the cause of Islam financially for the general good of the Ummah.

     

    Keynote Address

    The Keynote address was delivered by yours sincerely on the neglected pillar of Islam called Zakah vis a vis the overwhelming poverty threatening the lives of majority of Nigerian Muslims. The contents of that address as well as the general report of the Central Working Committee of MUSWEN and that of the first General Assembly held in 2015 cannot be brought here because they are too lengthy to be accommodated in a one page article. There is hope that both and some other related issues, will be published in this column in a foreseeable future.

  • Anatomy of corruption in Nigeria

    Anatomy of corruption in Nigeria

    Preamble

    The title of today’s article is not a coinage of this columnist. It is rather the title of a book jointly written by 14 likeminded world class Nigerian lawyers of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) cadre and Professors of Law.

    This is therefore an unconventional review. The book which contains 468 pages and 11 chapters is a compendium of well-researched articles authoritatively written by the contributing gurus.

    It is about the monster called corruption, its genesis, its causes, its varieties, its devastating effect on the society and the possible solutions to it.

     

    Preface

    In the preface to the book written by its Editor, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, of Al-Ghalib Chambers, it is stated that corruption which is as old as formation of the society by man has been promoted to state craft and described as the single most debilitating cankerworm eating deeply into the fabric of the nation and destroying it almost endemically.

    Mallam Ali quoted former President Olusegun Obasanjo as saying at the inauguration of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in 2001 that:

    “With corruption, there can be no sustainable development, nor political stability. By breeding and feeding on inefficiency, corruption invariably strangles the system of social organisation. In fact, corruption is literally the antithesis of development and progress.”

    And quoting the Transparency International, he also writes in the same preface as follows:

    “Corruption corrodes the fabric of society. It undermines people’s trust in political and economic systems, institutions and leaders. It can cost people their freedom health, money-and sometimes, their lives.”

    Mallam Ali then reveals a disturbing instance of corruption perception index released in 2015 by the same Transparency International in which Nigeria was rated number 136 of 167 countries with a score of 25 per cent and concluded that the publication of such frightening reports contributed to the thought leading to the writing this book.

     

    Foreword

    The foreword to the book is written by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, who states inter alia as follows:

    “This book (Anatomy of corruption), no doubt provides the appropriate reference to the conceptualisation of corruption, casting a glance to the past of this menace, identifying the present state of affairs of the cankerworm and projecting the death of the cancer should be doing in order to finally nail the coffin of corruption in Nigeria, and give it the desired burial”.

    He writes further thus: “In our fight against corruption in all its ramifications, all hands must be on deck and we must collectively save our country from the jaws of the corrupt. All sectors of the society must be fully and totally committed to the anti-corruption crusade.

    “The Nigerian judiciary will continue to be in the forefront of the fight against corruption by ensuring that the cases brought to the courts are determined with dispatch; to this end, there is in place a fast-track mechanism to ensure that cases of corruption are determined with little or no delay.

    “There are challenges of infrastructure, resources and manpower but we are resolved, as an arm of government, to play our part and write our names in gold when the history of this struggle in Nigeria is chronicled.”

     

    Recommendation

    Observing that the contents of the book touch almost all Nigerian professions, including academia,  artisanship and business concerns, Justice Mohammed says: “I recommend this book to all Nigerians (home and abroad), especially jurists, legal practitioners, academics, media practitioners, students, politicians, business people and indeed, all lovers of our dear country, Nigeria.

    We must all stand to be counted in this battle to rid our nation of this destructive menace called corruption”. Genesis

     

    Comment

    No one can say, with precision, when corruption began on earth or where it emanated from. But we came to learn that as far back as the time of Egyptian civilisation, the Egyptians used special preservatives to spare their dead from complete corruption and that corruption of the upper class in the Roman Empire led to the collapse of that Empire.

    We also learned from history that the famous Greek philosopher, Socrates, was put to death because the ancient Athenians believed that he was spreading corruption among their youths.

    When the late vociferous lawyer and human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, made a queer but thought-provoking statement in a public lecture at Ansar-ud-Deen College, Isolo, in 1974, he hardly envisaged today’s situation of Nigeria.

    He said: “It is criminal to be law abiding in a lawless society”. By what currently obtains in the country, sheer impunity seems to have put that statement in the front burner with unintended authority. Thus, it can be concluded that corruption is the tap root of a poisonous tree with no depth measure.

     

    Foreign Perception

    Appraising the foreign perception of Nigeria in relation to corruption, one of the contributors to this book, Adebayo O. Adelodun, (SAN), succinctly captured the comment of a Singaporean journalist who covered the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Nigeria in December 2003 as follows:

    “Blessed by nature but undone by man, Nigeria has been described as the Cinderella who never made it to the ball. Corruption is endemic in this West African nation. Corruption stifles economic growth. A country’ position on the corruption table is closely correlated to its poverty rating. Hence Nigeria is among the poorest countries in the world. It is the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil, yet, most of its petrol is imported…Those in official positions squeeze the people. Even when the government decides to help out, the poor don’t benefit. The money set aside doesn’t get to the people as it is hijacked along the way.”

    Prescribing his own solution to the cancerous social virus called corruption, Adelodun writes:

    “In fact, it is high time for Nigeria to adopt the Chinese and Saudi Arabia models for punishment of official corruption. The penalty is death sentence. This may appear drastic but we all agree that the situation in Nigeria requires drastic suggestions and measures.

    “The Nigerian legislature is expected to borrow a leaf from those countries. We must reform our laws on corruption and input provisions to protect and reward whistle blowers and informants. We must insist on minimum standard on moral behaviour in public offices.”

    He also has advice for Nigerian citizens as follows:

    “The citizenry should be encouraged to see corruption as a stigma on their reputation. Focus should change to the fact that corruption makes us poorer as a people. The little resources (available) can go round if not for corrupt practice of greed and selfishness.

    “The citizens must be ready to play the role of whistle blowers and informants for the agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of combating corruption”.

     

    Head knock for Nigerian Judiciary

    In his own contribution to the book, Adebayo Olanipekun, S. A. N., gave a painful knock to the judiciary on the head for being an aiding factor in making corruption a monster that it is in Nigeria.

    He states that: “Our criminal justice system is skewed in a way that it does not deter corruption but rather has the opposite effect of encouraging it.

    Situations where a poor boy who stole a hen is sentenced to two years imprisonment and a high-ranking public officer who embezzled N23 billion is given an option of paying N250, 000 fine cannot be said to deter corruption”.

    He quoted a onetime Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, where the latter, at the SERAP’s 9th Roundtable conference in 2012 gave a keynote address as follows:

    “…When the rule of law is weak, corruption will remain a nagging problem. Corruption in the Justice sector is a keystone to corruption throughout the society. Without an honest criminal justice system, the wealthy, especially the corrupt, can escape the consequences of their crimes.

    Impunity reduces the perceived cost of corruption. The risk that corrupt activities will result in imprisonment and accompanying public humiliation is minimal. The gains of corruption are therefore not discounted and there is thus, little reason beyond personal integrity not to engage in corrupt acts”.

    Talking about the importance of the Judiciary in the fight against corruption, he quoted Nigeria’s first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Folake Solanke, as saying: “Nigeria is sick and needs urgent treatment. The judicial system is the only method by which erring members of the society can be made accountable and be made to pay the penalty of any wrong doing. Yes, there is corruption in the land and only the court can purge the society. But alas! What about the judiciary itself”.

     

    Role of the media

    And commenting on the role of the media in fighting corruption in the society, Adenipekun says: “Nigerian Media are manned by Nigerian citizens. As watchdogs of the society, Journalists are expected to bridge the gap between the government and the society”. He quoted a London Times editorial of 1851 which articulated the role of the Media as follows:

    “…The Press (being a professional whistle blower) lives by disclosures…for us with whom publicity and truth are the air and light of existence, there can be no greater disgrace than to recoil from the frank and accurate disclosure of facts as they are. We are bound to tell the truth as we find it, without fear of consequences-to lend no convenient shelter to act of injustice and oppression, but to consign them at once to the judgment of the world”.

    Other contributors to the book are as follows:

    Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN); Professor Bolaji Owasanoye of Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies; Hon. Justice I. T. Muhammad (Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria); K. K. Eleja & Co Chambers; Professor Mojeed Olujimi Alabi of the University of Ilorin; Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), of Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa State; Prof Wahab Egbewole of the University of Ilorin; Awa U. Kalu (SAN) of the University of Lagos/Abia State University, Uturu; Justice S. D. Kawu, Chief Judge of Kwara State and Dr. Hammed A. Hannafi.

    Though quotations from their writings cannot be accommodated here, all of them are nevertheless veritably quotable in their respective fields as they will be found in their respective contributions to the book.

     

    Public Presentation

    The book: ‘Anatomy of Corruption’ will be publicly presented at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

    The Chief Guest at the occasion will be the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON

    The Chairman of the occasion will be the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON.

    The Guest Speaker will be Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate while Chief Presenter  will be the Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Otunba Tunde Ayeni.

    The book will be reviewed by Prof Ademola Popoola of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and the Chief Host the President of Nigerian Bar Association, Augustine Alege, SAN.

     

  • MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    Hold fast the cord of Allah and do not be disunited. And remember the Mercy of Allah upon you when you became adversaries to one another and Allah saved you from falling into the quagmire of Hell by reconciling your hearts with love. That is Allah’s way of illustrating His signs to you that you may be grateful”. Q. 3: 103 

     

    Preamble 

    This article was meant for publication in this column penultimate Sunday, April 24, 2016. That was the day the second General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) was held. The venue was the University of Ibadan International Conference Hall. More than 350 delegates and a sizable number of prominent guests from the six States of the South West were in attendance.

     

    Attendance 

    The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Ishak Abiola Ajimobi, was  represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ishmael Lekan Ali. A former Minister of Justice and World Court Judge, His Excellency, Prince Abdul Jabbar Bola Ajibola, who is the Chairman of MUSWEN’s Board of Trustees as well as a former Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith were among the prominent personalities present at the occasion.

    Also present were a former Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Najeem Awodele, former Deputy Director-General of the Stock Exchange, Alhaji Rasak Oladejo, a onetime President of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Sulaiman Owoyemi and the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as well as the Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe.

    Also present were a retinue of Professors, including T. G. O. Gbadamosi, Lateef Hussein, Saeed Malik, M. O. Abdul Rahman, K. K. Oloso and others too many to be listed here, Others were the Chief Imam of Ibadan Land, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyyi Ajigbotomo kekere and Iya Adini of Yoruba, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola as well as Baba Isale Adini of Ibadan Land, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade.

    The Chairman of the GA’s Planning Committee was Professor Muheeb O. Opeloye while the Secretary was Alh. Tajudeen Alabede, the Assistant Director, Programmes and Corporate Services of MUSWEN

     

    Life like weather

    Life is like weather. It changes posture from season to season. If the weather is too hot in summer, let no hope be lost. A clement weather may be experienced in winter. There is no weather without effect. Nigerians are currently in an uncertain economic weather in which nothing is predictable with precision. This was the situation that influenced the theme of MUSWEN’s second General Assembly held penultimate Sunday. That theme was ‘Zakah and Poverty Alleviation’.

    Nigerian Muslims have been perennially facing two fundamental problems. One is poverty, the other is ignorance. A solution to one can automatically proffer a solution to the other. But the failure on the parts of the concerned stakeholders to search for any solution at all has consistently remained a spectre chasing the ghost of every Muslim day and night.

     

    President’s welcome address

    In his welcome address, at the occasion, the President of MUSWEN, His Excellency, Dr. Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola (OON), said inter alia that:

    “….Despite the fact that we are operating in a particularly difficult time in the nation’s history, MUSWEN has recorded a number of accomplishments since our last General Assembly especially with efforts that were geared towards deepening and widening relations with stakeholders within the Ummah both within and outside the region”.

    “With effective coordination by the Secretariat, the active collaboration of the other organs of MUSWEN and the State Councils/Communities as well as the critical support of other stakeholders, it is heart-warming that MUSWEN has continued to serve as the rallying point for Muslims in the region”.

     

    Components of MUSWEN

    “The result of this has been the improved and growing relationship with the State Councils/Communities who are the major components of MUSWEN; the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) of which MUSWEN is a major component; the League of Imams and Alfas, which MUSWEN recognizes as an essential pillar of the Ummah; the numerous Islamic organizations and other stakeholders.

    Of particular significance is the high degree of trust that the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of  the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, reposes in MUSWEN and its leadership”.

     

    State of the nation

    Talking about the State of the nation as at the time of the General Assembly, the President of MUSWEN said:

    “It is especially significant that in spite of the fears that we all had early last year, Allah helped us to survive the negative predictions about the 2015 general elections…. There is no gain saying the fact that our dear nation, Nigeria, is passing through a difficult time. In the last few years, the socio-economic climate has been tough. People are daily faced with hard choices. Insecurity, corruption and poor economy have continued to plague the nation”.

    “It is gratifying, however, that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is making frantic efforts to get Nigeria out of the woods. The battle against insurgency in the Northeast is giving Nigerians the hope that, in not too distant future, that part of the country would regain its peace that was shattered some years back”.

    “A sad development arising from the dastardly act of insurgency was the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.

    It is worrisome that for over two years now, the Chibok girls have remained in bondage. I, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to do all it could to ensure the safe return of the girls to their families. But more importantly, let us fervently pray to Allah for the safety and return of the girls”.

    “In the same vein, the fight against corruption could not have come at a better time. Given the amount of information about the level of corruption that Nigeria had sunk into, one can only say that we are really fortunate that Nigeria is now on its way back to sanity and global respect. To this end, the President and his team need the support and prayers of all well-meaning Nigerians, including Muslims, as they strive to reset the nation on the path to progress and greatness”.

     

    State of the region 

    Appraising the situation of the South West region, Alhaji Babalola made the following observation:

    “The Southwest region of Nigeria is blessed by Allah with abundant human and natural resources. What’s more, the region is noted for setting the pace in matters of progress and development. It is not for nothing that this region is home to Nigerians from diverse backgrounds who seek means and ways to fortune and personal progress….”

    “While I must acknowledge the challenges faced by the state governments in the region in their desire to develop the region, our people have no reason to be poor. I, on behalf of Muslim stakeholders in the region, therefore, wish to use this opportunity to appeal to our political leaders in the region to pull their resources together and make genuine effort to revamp and integrate the economies of the States for the greater glory of the region and our people”.

    He continued thus: “In the same vein, I am delighted about the atmosphere of peace and religious harmony that continues to exist among our people irrespective of their religious affiliations. This is a tradition that has earned the South West region the respect of other people. However, experience has shown that more still needs to be done. Of particular significance is the need for more accommodation of Muslims in the political structure of Ekiti State. Muslims in the State deserve a better deal. The principles of equity, fairness and inclusive leadership need to be adequately respected in multi-stakeholder settings like ours”.

    And in conclusion, the President of MUSWEN said: “I must not end this address without recognising the critical support of the State Councils/Communities, the League of Imams and Alfas, major Muslim title holders, Islamic organisations and other stakeholders whose sustained commitment has continued to make the idea of MUSWEN a pleasant reality: “K’ajo kan l’awa nse” (to be one united body is our objective)”.

     

    The BOT Chairman

    In his own remark, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), His Excellency, Prince (Judge) ‘Abdul Jabbaar Bola Ajibola, SAN, KBE, CFR, LLD, DLitt, FICArb, FNIALS, after welcoming the delegates and guests to the second General Assembly, commended the Presidency of MUSWEN for cooperating with the Board of Trustees in working for unity, welfare and progress of the Muslim Ummah saying:

    ”As the custodians of the shared values of our organisation, the BOT has followed with keen interest and a sense of satisfaction the various indicators of progress in MUSWEN since the last General Assembly. The BOT is   Particularly glad to note that MUSWEN has been successful in reaching out to an increasing number of corporate and individual stakeholders within the Ummah and beyond. There is no doubt about the fact that this is surely the best way to further strengthen the organization for the benefit of the Ummah.

     

    About Deputy President-General of NSCIA

    The support of the stakeholders to the BOT in the course of consultations on the nomination of a new candidate for the position of Deputy President-General (South) of NSCIA is particularly commendable.

    This Second Assembly should, therefore, be regarded as an opportunity for us to resolve to build on the successes recorded so far in this and other regards. The various organs of NSCIA should, on the other hand, resolve not to rest on their oars but to do more for the benefit of the apex body.

     

    About the theme

    In view of the importance of the theme of the Second Assembly – Zakah and Poverty Alleviation – the BOT wishes to commend all of those who have been supporting MUSWEN financially, believing that Allah will continue to reward them most richly in fulfilment of His promise. It is my hope that the theme will deepen our collective consciousness to support the cause of Islam financially for the general good of the Ummah.

     

    Keynote address

    The keynote address was delivered by yours sincerely on the neglected pillar of Islam called Zakah vis a vis the glaring overwhelming poverty threatening the lives of majority of Nigerian Muslims.

    The contents of that address as well as the general report of the Central Working Committee of MUSWEN and that of the first General Assembly held in 2015 cannot be brought here because they are too lengthy to be accommodated in a one page article.

    There is hope that both and some other related issues, will be published in this column in a foreseeable future.

  • Kudos to Oyo State but…

    Kudos to Oyo State but…

    Whoever amongst you sees something wrong should endeavour to correct it with his hand (by removing it). If he is incapable of correcting it with his hand, let him correct it with his tongue (by condemning it). If he is still incapable of doing so let him effect the correction with his mind (by praying for its stoppage). However, the last option is the weakest of all.”

    Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

     

    Preamble

    Oyo State has proved to be Nigeria’s Pacesetter State indeed by introducing a bill to formally prohibit kidnapping in the State and to prescribe the commensurate penalty for any culprit.

    The bill which prescribes death sentence or life imprisonment for anybody who engages in kidnapping has been signed into law by Governor Ishak Abiola Ajimobi.

    The law also prescribes various jail terms for anybody found to be an accomplice directly or indirectly in the crime. The law is a bold step in stemming kidnapping as a crime in Oyo State.

    ‘The Message’ hereby joins millions of Nigerians to congratulate Oyo State government on this laudable step wishing the governor a successful implementation of the law.

     

    The need for amendment

    Pleasant as the law against kidnapping is, however, there may be need for an amendment to that law. There is another crime that is a deadly as kidnapping in our society today which ought to have been taken along in that law. That crime is rape.

    Looking at it from any angle, rape is like a scar which no dermatologist can obliterate from anybody’s skin. It is only those who experience it that can feel its impact.

    The rate of rape in Nigeria today is amazingly disturbing enough to warrant a law prohibiting it and prescribing a penalty for it similar to that of kidnapping.

    For those who have fallen victim of it, rape is an everlasting agony affecting both the mental being and the state of mind in terms of dignity.

    This is particularly true of innocent juvenile girls who are reportedly defiled in various parts of the country. While praising Oyo State government for championing the war against crimes, ‘The Message’ column hereby implores the Pacesetter State to please take a further by adding rape to it so that other states in the federation may follow suit. Kidnapping and rape are two of a kind in the realm of crimes.

     

    Animal Farm

    Here is the moment in the life of a country when any responsible newspaper    columnist must fall into a dilemma. A Yoruba (Apala) music maestro of late memory, Haruna Isola, once released a philosophical lyric in which he described the modern world as “tiptoeing on one of its two legs while the other (leg) remains hanging and virtually redundant”.

    That is the current situation of life in Nigeria where, like George Owens’s ‘Animal Farm’, the strong devours the weak with reckless impunity.

    “What can we say of a man who fixes his eyes on the sun but does not see it? He rather sees a chorus of flaming seraphim announcing a paroxysm of despair”. That is the parable of the country called Nigeria.

    Like the Israelites of yore, Nigerians of today have become gypsies wandering aimlessly in the wilderness of despair while wallowing helplessly in abject poverty and squalour even in the midst of abundance. This situation has catapulted the thought of crimes as a bailout to the front burner of our social life in many youths.

    Of the overwhelming crimes in Nigeria today, three are outstanding. The first is insurgency. The second is rape. The third is kidnapping. All of these are products of corruption, a canker-worm that has eaten very deeply into the fabric of Nigerian culture. Every criminal in the above itemised spheres is capitalising on the unbridled corruption in the land to engage in his or her branch of crime. But the focus here is rape.

    The dilemma of

    a columnist

    Today, so many disturbing issues are floating in the horizon to confirm an era of unbridled sadism in today’s Nigeria where religion and cultural pedigrees do not have any meaning any more. Thus, the thoughts and ideas of writing on current issues have become so clumsy that a columnist must fall into a dilemma.

    Nigerians of the present generation seem to be bent on interpolating their lifestyle with that of wild animals a euphemism for seeking ruins. In what looks like an animal zoo where no shame is reckoned with and no dignity is valued, crimes seem to have become the rule by which Nigerians of today live on a daily basis.

     

    Societal conspiracy

    The seeming indifference of the public to those crimes, especially the rampant rape of underage girls in the society, is suggestive of a tacit societal conspiracy.

    Even animals, whether domestic or wild, still maintain some level of morality in their relationship with one another. We may not know the details of the rule of engagement in the wild life but through our little familiarity with domestic animals, we can confirm that the adult ones among them do not rape the juvenile ones.

    Any good observer among men will notice that the lion or any carnivorous animal for that matter preys on a victim only in time of hunger. And as soon as it becomes satisfied, all other potential victims can move around freely without being preyed upon or harassed. This is not the case with human beings, especially those of Nigerian origin.

    An average Nigerian does not only greedily amass wealth for himself illegally. He also amasses wealth for his children and even, grand children as a provision for future comfort against imaginary poverty.

    This terrible greed has been carried into other spheres of life, including rape. Thus, some married men of advanced age believe that the only way of having a sexual taste of virginity is to rape innocent female juveniles since they had missed that opportunity in their wives. Some others satanically believe that virginity is a source of wealth which can be facilitated through the ritual means.

     

    Cases of rape

    Last week, the media was awash with the news of the arrest of 35-year-old Badmos Olajuwon, a fashion designer and husband of two wives, for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl.

    The unfortunate incident, according to reports, occurred in Somolu area of Lagos State where the man was alleged to have forcefully defiled the innocent girl on her grandmother’s bed.

    Even an animal, no matter how wild, will not descend so low to do that. The unanswered question is this: what could have led a man of that age to think of raping a girl of that age where sanity still holds sway? Until the answer to this question is provided by the Nigerian society it may be difficult to believe that Nigeria remains a member of the civilised comity of nations.

     

    More examples

    Incidentally, last Wednesday again, another breaking news captured the vintage pages of national newspapers with the report of a 30-year-old truck pusher, Nurudeen Owolabi, who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl in Bariga area also of Lagos State. Both Olajuwon and Owolabi have, as usual, blamed the devil for their devilish acts.

    There are thousands of similar cases reported and not reported in various parts of the country. The incidents of rape have become so rampant in Nigeria today that most people do not see them as an aberration while those crimes are being virtually accepted as a part of societal norm.

    On February 17,  a 51-year-old casket maker, Kayode Michael, was caught defiling an eight-year-old girl in Lagos. He is now serving a four-year jail term. His reason for engaging in such a devilish act was as usual, the devil.

    Also in 2015, a 60-year-old man, Edekin Ojaogbe, was paraded by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl. Confessing to the crime, Ojaogbe who disclosed that he was married with three children but his wife had left him said he slept with the teenage girl three times because he loved her. He eventually blamed the evil act on the devil.

     

    Involvement of clerics

    Rape cases, like many other crimes, have transcended cultural or religious borders in Nigeria even as they have betrayed the honour of age and maturity.

    In other words, the supposed messengers have betrayed the message they are expected to preach. But it is understandable that most cases of rape nowadays occur in the urban centers because majority of jobless men and women are resident in cities and towns.

    The satanic vice called rape is not new in any part of the world. If anything is new about it now, it must be its puzzling rising trend that is causing untold agony in many homes.

    Sometime in November 2015, Pastor Fidelis Eze (32) was reported to have defiled and impregnated an 11-year-old girl at Iju Ishaga, Lagos State. The incident became a court case but the innocent girl will live with the mental agony arising from it for the rest of her life. When asked what led him to the act, Eze blamed the act on the devil.

    And just a few days ago, Pastor Ifeanyi Bernard(46) was arrested in Karu, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl. He also blamed the devil for that devilish act as he now answers questions in the court of law.

    In November 2015, a 40-year-old Muslim cleric, Alfa Abdullah Omobolaji, was arrested in Agege, Lagos State and charged to court for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl. The case is still on. While some scores of these cases are reported, hundreds of others are not. Yet, the crimes continue unabated.

     

    Other African countries

    In July 2013, a Pastor, Nana Akwesi Angyemang of Ghana, was jailed 15 years for raping eight juvenile girls, including a three year old. All the eight defiled juveniles were children of his church members.

    Also in Zambia, a 61-year-old evangelist, Elvis Katongo, was arrested and charged to court in June 2011 for defiling a teenage girl. In all these, no amount of sanction can compensate for the heinous crime.

    In 2014, a 73-year-old Kenyan Reverend Thomson Njoya was arrested for allegedly defiling his 18-month-old granddaughter.

    Reverend Njoya, who was very vocal in upholding democracy in Kenya in the 1980s and 1990s, confessed to the crime and was charged for the offence and convicted.

    Clerics in any country are supposed to be like salt of the society. Salt is supposed to stop other ingredients like locust beans, onion and pepper from getting spoilt. If salt shows traits of rottenness which other ingredient will be used to stop it from getting spoilt?

     

    People’s Wish

    Starting with Liberian Muslim leadership, many African Muslim communities, including those of Nigeria, have objected to sentencing rapists to just a few years of imprisonment.

    These communities believe that such a paltry sentence is an indirect encouragement for rape. They contend that crimes like rape, kidnapping and sodomy or lesbianism should carry the same penalty which is death or life imprisonment.

    They condemn the nonchalance and hypocritical attitude of some so-called human rights organisations which go about campaigning against death sentence as penalty for any crime.

    Such organisations should be watched very closely, they could be accomplices to the various heinous crimes in the society. ‘The Message’ column cannot agree less.

     

    Conclusion

    With the ongoing trend in crimes, especially with regards to rape and kidnapping, Nigeria as a country may be heading for doom and unless an urgent action is taken to stem that trend, such doom may become inevitable.

    About this, the Qur’an had long warned mankind to “fear a calamity that may descend, not only on those who caused it but also those who remain aloof while such a calamity is being caused. Go and know that Allah’s retribution can be severe”. See Qur’an 8 verse 25.

  • 62 years ago

    Do you not see how Allah sets forth a parable of Pleasant Word like a splendid tree which roots are firmly entrenched in the belly of the earth while its branches sprout gorgeously into the firmament of the sky yielding fruits every season by Allah’s grace? Allah talks to men in parables that they may be mindfully alert”. Q.14:24

     

    Preamble

    At a meeting of some like minded Muslim brothers, including yours sincerely, in Bodija, Ibadan, last Sunday (April 3, 2016), Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, the Chairman of Oyo State Muslim Community, sought permission to leave for another meeting scheduled for about the same time.

    That other meeting was about the permanent site of Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) Camp (Southern Nigeria Chapter) of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

    The latter meeting quickly reminded me of the memorable month of April in relation to the establishment of MSSN in 1954. That was 62 years ago.

    Looking back at the cultivation of land, planting and germination of the tree of that formidable society one cannot but reflect deeply on the above quoted verse of the Qur’an with faithful appreciation.

    MSSN and NSCIA

    Talking about Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) today may be incomplete without reference to the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

    The two bodies are like Siamese trees of gargantuan nature with sprouting foliage and a formidable stem. Just as it is almost impossible to pluck the fruits of a tree without any recourse to the stem of the tree that carries those fruits so it is to play a significant role in NSCIA without having passed through the MSSN.

    The one is like a wonderful edifice built on the solid foundation of the other. Though the founders of MSSN were not initial members of that youth society, the role played by each of them in nurturing its tree of progress to fruition cannot be quantified.

     

    The almond tree

    The similitude of MSSN is like that of the almond tree. For those who know it, almond tree is splendid to behold. It is magnificent in appearance just as it is environmentally grandiose. But much more than all these, it is highly curative in substance and almost indispensable in essence. No soil, whether in the forest or in the savannah or even in the desert, is repugnant to this great tree for dwelling. Wherever it is found, almond tree creates a serene environment and serves as a protective umbrella for other living organisms around. It is one unique tree that wears the crown of a king among trees and bears the scepter of a generalissimo among tropical plants.

     

    Parable 

    The summarised analysis here is not much of almond tree per se but rather about the parable which its existence seeks to interpret. That parable is of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) which is like the almond tree. The Society was planted like a mustard seed on April 18, 1954 and gradually germinated into an enlivening plant with no irrelevant part.

    Most Nigerian Muslims of the current generation may not easily recall how MSSN came into existence 62 years ago either because they were not part of the struggle that brought it to bear or because the struggle has now taken a different form which they are unable to relate to the past.  Perhaps that is why they can now afford to take it for granted.

     

    A memorable revolution

    MSSN is both a spiritual and a social revolution which quietly crept into the Nigerian society at the very right time that a revolution was direly in need for Muslim youths. If Islam enjoys a hitherto denied official recognition in Nigeria today, it is mostly due to that miraculous revolution.

    It all started like a dream in April 1954 when a student of Methodist Boys High School (MBHS) Lagos, Tajudeen Aromasodu, now of blessed memory, in a clairvoyance muted a unique idea. He proposed an association of all Muslim students in Nigeria starting with Lagos secondary schools. His intention was to create a forum of unity through a common identity for Nigerian Muslim youths of secondary school age. Such a forum was to enable them to agitate for their rights and defend those rights for their common interest.

    Aromasodu’s idea had emanated from a journal of the Muslim Students Association of Burma (Myanmar) which he accidentally came across. He read the constitution of that association in the journal and became fascinated by it. That was at a time when Muslim school pupils could hardly pass through secondary schools in Southern Nigeria without getting forcefully converted into adherents of another religion.

    Muslim children seeking Western education in those days were seen as trespassers or usurpers despite paying the demanded fees. Besides denying Muslim pupils their rights to worship according to their belief, the Christian missionaries who owned most schools in those days used the schools as an instrument of forceful conversion. Thus, most of the Muslim boys and girls who attended Christian missionary schools either ended up becoming Christians or were forced to drop out of schools if they rejected conversion.

     

    The Nucleus Team

    Aromasodu’s focus at that time was probably not beyond Lagos which was then Nigeria’s federal capital and the seat of the colonial rulers. He quickly contacted a few other Muslim students of like minds in Lagos and, together, they decided to invite two delegates from each of the then seven most prominent schools in Lagos. Thus, fourteen of such students (boys and girls) formed the pioneer membership of what was destined to become a proverbial almond tree of formidable nature.

    The seven schools were Kings College, Lagos; Queens College, Yaba; Methodist Boys High School, Lagos; CMS Grammar School, Bariga; Ahmadiyya College (now Anwarul Islam Model College), Agege; Methodist Girls High School, Yaba and Baptist Academy, Obanikoro.

    That nucleus body held its inaugural meeting at Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School, Alakoro, Lagos, on April 18, 1954. It was at that meeting that a proposal which had earlier been sent out to the mentioned schools was formally adopted. And, a resolution was taken to draft the constitution of the Society which was ratified thereafter.

     

    First Executive Body

    With the constitution in place, some members of the first executive body were elected into office. Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite of King’s College was unanimously elected as President while Shuaib Oloritu also of Kings College and Saidat Anibaba (now Professor (Mrs.) Mabadaje (rtd) then of Queens College became first and second Vice Presidents respectively.

    Dr. Adegbite’s election was quite timely and coincidental because he was not just the Chairman of the Library and Debating Society of Lagos secondary schools, at that time, which made him a first among equals, he too had been planning a common forum for Muslim students.

    Some other officers were also elected and given responsibilities. Duties were delegated with trust and virtually everybody lived up to the trust.

    What would have been a major hindrance to the realisation of that dream was lack of funds. But nothing fails at the dream level if it has the hands of Allah in it.

    With strong determination and commitment, the young boys and girls levied themselves one shilling each on a monthly basis, which they contributed with dedication from their stipends. Besides, each of them bore the cost of transportation when assigned to a duty outside the immediate environment.

     

    Conferences

    If the first national conference of the Society, held in Lagos in 1954, drew the attention of many people to it and attracted many new members, that of 1956 held in Ijebu-Ode was a watershed.

    It was at that conference that the Society can be said to have become a real national body. Some members, especially of northern origin, who later became prominent in that body joined in 1956.

    These included the late Shehu Musa of Niger State who later became Secretary to the Federal Government, Adamu Ciroma who became the Governor of   the Central Bank of Nigeria, Jubril Aminu who became the Secretary of Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) and later Minister of Education and Petroleum; Yerima Abdullah and a host of others.

    It was about the same year that some other Lagos students like Lateefat Oyekan (now Alhaja Lateefah Okunnu (a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State) joined the Society and boosted its growth with special indefatigable leap.

    At this time, Islam was not yet known to have significantly reached what is now called South East or South-South of Nigeria.

    The third conference was held in Ilesha in 1957. It was hosted by one Alhaji M.A Smith, a prominent businessman with substantial financial wherewithal.

    The fourth and fifth conferences were held in Ibadan and Abeokuta in 1958 and 1959 respectively. In all those places, the conscious attention of local Muslims was drawn to Islam and some of them gladly encouraged their children to join the newly formed society of Muslim youths.

     

    The turn of events

    In 1957, Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, the first President of the Society, had completed his secondary school education at Kings College and he wanted to vacate the office for someone else but other brothers would not hear of it. They persuaded him to continue with the leadership showing appreciation for his leadership ability.

    However, providence set in to play a role in the life of Abdul-Lateef and that of MSSN simultaneously. He got a job as a researcher at the Historical Research Scheme in Ibadan in which he was engaged while awaiting admission to read English in UCI.

    At the time, Adegbite experienced a repeat of fortuitous providence working for him against his wish. He did not succeed in gaining admission into the University College but that was a blessing in disguise for MSSN. If he had been admitted as he wished, he would have had less time for the Society in its infancy and he would not have become a lawyer that he happily became later. He also would have studied English at UCI without any scholarship. His patience and faith paid off as he later got admission into the University of Southampton where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Law before proceeding to the University of London for his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees on scholarship.

    Gender Dichotomy

    Realising the implications of talking any of the sisters into marriage within the Society, the President himself avoided any act that could set a bad precedent for others.

    When it was time for him to choose a marital partner, he made sure that his wife to be (Miss Taibat Yetunde Carew, now of blessed memory) was not a member of the Society. Although he met her at an MSSN forum, the latter merely escorted her friend to that forum.

    When he returned into the country in 1965 with a Ph. D degree, Dr. Adegbite was surprised at the growth rate of MSSN across the country. All the Muslim secondary school pupils had fully become members and most of the foundation members had either graduated from higher institutions or about to graduate.

    He, therefore, thought of a higher pedestal for the Society’s alumni to operate spiritually. Fortunately, he was appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the Western State in 1967 a position that put him in very good stead.

    He was therefore, able to strengthen the MSSN and encourage fellow alumni to join hands in floating another Muslim Society that would be meant for only adults as members.

    Today, most of the pioneer members of MSSN are great men and women in various public and private sectors. The current Sultan and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, some Emirs, Ministers, Governors, Vice Chancellors, Professors and, even the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua were members of that great Society.

     

    Office accommodation problem

    It, however, became disturbing that despite the greatness of this Society and its alumni, there was no permanent office that could be called its national   headquarters even by the time its 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2004.

    An attempt was once made to site such office in Ilorin being the midway between the North and the South. But that attempt was unsuccessful. It was only when the elders decided to pay attention to the issue of headquarters, recently, that a plot of land was secured for office in Abuja on which work is yet to commence even 62 years after the establishment of MSSN.

    Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite’s appointment as Commissioner also helped tremendously in bridging the religious gap between the north and the south, especially in respect of the formation of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in which he was to play a major role as Secretary-General later in life. As far as Islam is concerned, his was a footprint on the sands of life. Let those who are yearning for a similar footprint be as dedicated to Islam as Dr. Adegbite.

     

    A leadership training ground

    Apart from serving as a unifier of Muslim youths in Nigeria, MSSN also started as a potent leadership training ground for Muslim men and women of the future. That many brothers and sisters who passed through the Society are occupying various prominent positions including gubernatorial, ministerial, top managerial and core professional in Nigeria today is an evidence of that assertion. At least not less than five Heads of State or Presidents of Nigeria have been produced by the Association. However, the tempo of leadership agility in of the past seems to have waned tremendously.

    Thus, due to the fact that most students of nowadays are immature, some experienced hands at the helm of affairs in the Society continue to hold sway as principal officers thereby hindering the upcoming ones from gaining the necessary leadership and experience that should normally prepare them for the future.

    The implication of this is that leadership is no longer by training or experience but by mere incidental assumption. This in itself is a great disadvantage to the growth and development of MSSN as well as a cause of various divisions leading to the emergence of splinter groups. If this Society must progress as expected, a return to the original system that gave it a profitable vibrancy in the past should be a sine qua non.

  • The Sultan: A Triple Heritage

    The Sultan: A Triple Heritage

    History is for human self-knowledge. The only clue to know what man can do is what man has done.

    The value of history, then, is that it teaches us what man has done and thus enables us to know what man is capable of doing”. By R. G. Collingwood

     

    Preamble

    The title of this article was not originally coined by yours sincerely. It is rather an adaptation of the title of a television documentary projected by a late African Professor of Political History, Ali Mazrui of Kenya, in the early 1980s. He   entitled the documentary ‘The Africans: A Triple Heritage’.

    The adaptation of that topic here becomes necessary because of the coincidence of history the type that gingered Mazrui into coining that topic.

    Today, history, being a teacher, has come back to the classroom to repeat itself to its numerous but willing students.

    Today’s Muslim generation in Nigeria is passing through a paved path of history without taking notice of it. This 20th Sultan is of triple heritage. As the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council (NSCIA) he is a religious leader. By virtue of his national royal status he is a political leader. And as a retired Brigadier-General, he is a military leader.

    Thus, his triple heritage is complete. Such an incomparable colossus cannot be equated with any rascally charlatan trying to seek national relevance with the clout of His Eminence in the garb of a religious leader.

     

    ‘The Wings’ of History

    On Sunday, March 27, 2016, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni landed in the Southwest of Nigeria like a beaming sun in full regalia of royalty.

    On arrival at Ibadan Airport, he was received by a galaxy of well-meaning Muslim personalities from the six states of the Southwest some of who formed his entourage to Iwo, the city of Scholars.

    That entourage was led by no other personality than His Excellency, Dr. Sakariyau Olayiwola (S. O.) Babalola, the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN).

    At Iwo, His Eminence first paid a courtesy royal visit to the palace of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi.

    The latter joined His Eminence in commissioning the magnificent Mosque of ‘The Wings Schools’ where the bird of ‘Peace’ flies with the ‘Wings’ of knowledge. With its imposing grandeur, the Mosque has capacity to accommodate over 2,000 worshippers. And that provides an opportunity for the Muslims in the environs to observe their Jum’at prayer in the Mosque with ease every Friday.

     

    Commissioning

    While commissioning the Mosque by unveiling the plague that bore his name, His Eminence who was not in a hurry to leave the city of scholars, praised the proprietor of the schools, Prof Lai Olurode, for facilitating with peace, an indelible platform of knowledge for the people of Iwo in particular and those of the Southwest in general.

    He also offered a special prayer for the final year pupils of the secondary school and encouraged the generality of Iwo Muslims to maintain peace even in the face of provocation, saying Islam is about peace and not about violence.

    Quoting copiously from the Qur’an and Sunnah, he admonished Nigerians, especially non-Muslims, who often blame the misbehaviour of some Muslims on Islam to desist from such deliberate malignance.

    Asserting that there are no religious adherents in the world today without blemish, His Eminence concluded that Islam is the mirror through which Muslims should be viewed and assessed rather than the other way round.

    After commissioning the Mosque in the name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful, he led the congregation in the observance of Salatu-dh-Dhuhr making him the first Sultan ever to carry out such a duty in Osun State.

     

    First in History

    The coming of His Eminence to Iwo last Sunday was the first by any Sultan in over 214 years of the Sultanate in Nigeria. Besides, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar is the first and only Sultan to bring all Nigerian Muslims under a unified protective umbrella in history.

    Ever since he ascended the throne 10 years ago, he has paid meaningful visits to all parts of Nigeria rallying the Muslims in those parts towards peace and progress.

    He has thus earned the absolute confidence of Southern Nigerian Muslims who were hitherto skeptical of the northern leadership of Islam in Nigeria.

    The effective participation of Southern Muslims in the affairs of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) today through a number of leadership roles is a glaring attestation to this fact.

     

    The fountain of knowledge

    In Osogbo, the Osun State capital, there is a private citadel of knowledge and civilisation named ‘Fountain University’. The reason for naming it so is to enable it to be like an ancient well in the desert valley of Makkah called ‘Zam Zam’ meaning ‘Drink, Drink’.

    The well has been there for thousands of years serving hundreds of millions of people in all seasons without a halt. Zam Zam is an evidence of Allah’s special blessing for mankind in the past, in the present and in the future.

    Here is a well that never dries and the water is with neither colour nor odour. The more the water from Zam Zam well is consumed the more the well produces the water.

    In recent times, some airlines in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian government introduced a system whereby every pilgrim that wants it is provided with ten litres of Zam Zam as a parting gift.

    Thus, such pilgrims go back to their countries with the sacred water that heals ailments and enhances faith.

    With this, there is hardly any country in the world today without the knowledge and benefit of Zam Zam.

    Globally, therefore, Muslims know Zam Zam as the grace of Allah which no other religion is endowed with. If Zam Zam  had been an attribute of a religion other than Islam it would have been called miracle water.

     

    River Osun

    Incidentally, the river that gives the State of Osun its name is called River Osun. The name Osun is a Yoruba word meaning ‘Fountain’. But the function of that is a mythological aberration which cannot in anyway be equated with Zam Zam. While Osun, a coloured and odoruant stream is worshipped as a god, the well called Zam Zam, is seen and believed to be Allah’s grace with absolute purity for the benefit of mankind.

    The similitude of Fountain University therefore, is like that of Zam Zam, an inexhaustible fountain of knowledge and morality with the fear of Allah.

    In this University, students who are thirsty for knowledge and civility can drink and drink from its fountain to their fill.

    That Fountain University is sited in a ‘Fountain’ State is another historical coincidence which could have been made possible only by Allah. And that is probably why the Fountain University is based on the fear of Allah.

     

    Projects of Progress

    As part of his royal and spiritual itinerary in the Southwest region, His Eminence spent three days in the State of Osun where most of his time was spent at the Fountain University.

    On the first day which was Sunday, March 27, 2016, he laid the foundation stone of a 38-room Guest House being donated by Dr. Adul Rauf Wale Babalakin, SAN at the University after paying a royal and brotherly visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Larooye II, The Ataoja of Osogbo.

    Some other donors chose to be anonymous saying their donation were to the course of Allah who alone can reward human beings on their good deeds.

    On Monday, March 28, 2016, His Eminence commissioned an imposing two storey Senate building that will accommodate the University Senate, the Vice-Chancellor’s office and those of his deputies as well as the University Registrar’s and some other top officers of the University.

    The magnificent building was donated by the President of MUSWEN,  His Excellency, Dr. Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola, OON.

     

    Convocation Lecture

    The Sultan then attended the University’s convocation lecture delivered by Sokoto State Governor  Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,  the Mutawalin Sokoto and then laid the foundation stone of the University Mosque being donated by Alhaji A. W. A. Ibrahim.

    He also laid the foundation stone of a 22 room female hostel being donated by Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN. In the lecture entitled “Religious Tolerance and the Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria”, Alhaji Tambuwal said among other things that:

    “Obviously, religious intolerance in itself is the outcome of the way and manner that religious education is taught in various religious groups.

    “This is especially glaring in terms of insurgency, which is, for the most part, caused by poor education or the lack of it and religious bigotry. However, all factors as mentioned have been amplified by the nation’s conspicuous challenges to do with unemployment, poverty and leadership deficit…”. He then enumerated the causes of religious disharmony in the country as follows:

    1.Conflicts or misunderstanding fuelled by socio political, economic and governance factors.

    2.Disharmony facilitated by government’s neglect, oppression, domination and related discriminated processes.

    3.Conflicts and disharmony aggravated by the weak nature of State institutions.

    4.Conflicts and disharmony provoked by, for example, disparaging publications, vilification of other people’s views, values and wrong perception of other peoples’ faith.

    5.Conflicts essentially triggered by religious intolerance, fundamentalism and extremism which are mostly caused by poor education or lack of it”.

    After the lecture, Alhaji Tambuwal announced his personal donation of the University’s College of Law, the building of which he promised to commence soon. All the donations were within the launching of an endowment fund raising of five billion naira. But the donations were still far from the targeted sum.

     

    Honour for the honourable

    On Tuesday, March 29, 2016, His Eminence was honoured with the conferment of the Fountain University’s doctoral degree (Honoris Causa) during the 4th and 5th combined convocation ceremony of the University.

    Former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola also shared in the honour with a similar conferment.

    The official conferment on both men of honour was done by the Chancellor of the University, Sheikh Ahmad Lemu, the former Grand Qadi of Niger State.

    In all, about 370 students graduated with five of them coming excelling with First Class.

     

    Iconic Pro-Chancellor

    The Pro-Chancellor of the Fountain University is the immediate past Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, whose influence in attracting projects to the University is immeasurable.

    An indefatigable personality, Prof Oloyede is known for working tirelessly and dedicatedly for the success of anything progressive thing he believes in.

    As a man of many parts and focus, Oloyede believes that the greatest treasure for social and political wellbeing in any community is manpower.

    Thus, he took it as a personal assignment to build men and women of letters and honour for the future of Nigeria. This, he has done innumerably without expecting any gratitude from any mortal being.

    If the opening poem in this article is fitting to any contemporary Nigerian Muslim, Oloyede ranks topmost. His disposition to making great men and women is legendary.

    Unknown to the author of the following poem, there is an African called Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede who stands conspicuously out of the pack to bear the name of the principal character in that poem without showing it off. The poem goes thus:

    “Who shares his life’s pure pleasure and walks the honest road; Who trades with heaping measure and lifts his brother’s load; who turns the wrong down bluntly and lends the right a hand; he dwells in God’s own country and tills the holy land”. We are all witnesses.

     

    The Great Duo

    The combination of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto as President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Prof Oloyede as the Secretary-General of that apex Muslim Council is unprecedented in the 54 years of the existence of that Council.

    If any Nigerian Muslim generation can ever be said to be fortunate, the current generation is surely the one.

    We pray the Almighty Allah to spare the lives of this duo with very sound health and continuous Allah’s guidance that they may jointly be able to pilot the affairs of Nigerian Muslim Ummah to the Cape of Good Hope. Amin!

  • The Message @ 10

    Prologue

    Time flies.

    It was like a dream ten years ago when this column named ‘The Message’ debut in the great newspaper called The Nation.

    By then, this columnist (being a journalist) had written Islamic and sundry other columns for about 24 years in various Nigerian and foreign daily newspapers as well as weekly magazines. Such newspapers and magazines included National Concord, Tehran Times, Vanguard, The Monitor, Inquiry, Africa Today, Africa Now and a host of others. Naming the column ‘The Message’ in The Nation  was deliberate.

    Perhaps, no other name accurately matches the divine religion called ‘ISLAM’ as much as ‘The Message’ being the greatest mission to mankind from the Almighty Allah through His greatest Messenger, Muhammad (SAW).

    Hitherto, the column had borne various names in various newspapers, such as ‘Islam’, ‘Islam Today’, ‘The Sermon’ and others.

     

    First outing

    In the preamble to the very first article published in this column 10 years ago, yours sincerely stated inter alia as follows:

    “Here is an Islamic column entitled ‘The Message’. It is starting today in the name of the almighty Allah, the compassionate the merciful. It will appear in this space henceforth, every Friday in The Nation , Insha’Allah. This column will be meaningful, both in title and in contents, to the Muslim Ummah, home and abroad as well as to others.

    Starting at a time when technology has reduced the world into a village and paring with the visionary title of the great newspaper called The Nation, this column promises to deliver The (great) Message of Islam to all those who are ready to receive it with open minds and genuine intention”. Its language of communication will be English in its received form and lucid standard which will be comprehensible to all who are literate enough to read and understand simple English language.

     

    Central Focus

    The central focus of ‘The Message’ shall be the Man. And the word ‘Man’ here does not refer to Male gender alone. It rather refers to the most important creature of Allah on earth around whom all issues in the world rotate” and with whom all other creatures can be relevant.

    However, it should be quickly added here that man, whether in the primordial or contemporary sense, is a product of family. There can be no talking of over seven billion citizens of the world today, without a fundamental reference to the family”.

    The world of man is like a gargantuan tree with rich roots that supply its strong stem and foliages with highly nutritious and sustaining food. Just as no tree can stand without roots so can no social life of humans be peacefully sustained without solid family backgrounds.

    Thus, the human family can be incontrovertibly described as the root of the tree of human life.

     

    The family angle

    Based on the fact that every clan, tribe or nation starts with a family, ‘The Message’ shall be addressed first and foremost, to the family. And, since there can be no survival for any family without business, it also becomes necessary to view the family from the premise of the business in which it is engaged”. Business is the chief determinant of human movements and standard of living.

    Arguably, the peace or otherwise of this world depends on those two fundamental concerns: family and business. Each of these shall form a major chapter in ‘The Message’ column. The rest shall be like stars supporting the moon in its celestial entourage.

    This column will therefore be interesting not only because of the depth of its research and the clarity of its language but also because of its participatory nature which will enable its readers to make contributions directly or indirectly.

    Besides, the right of readers’ responses shall be treated as sacrosanct and, there shall be no discrimination either on the basis of creed, gender, tribe or race. But every rule has its own exception. The exception here is that any response or reaction that tends to abuse this opportunity may not be accorded the privilege of rejoinder. Welcome on board of ‘The Message’ being delivered to the nation through The Nation.

     

    A Child @ One

    When this column was one year old in The Nation in 2007, an article entitled ‘A child @ one’ meant to celebrate the occasion was written. As a reminder, yours sincerely decided to recall that article here today for the purpose of gratifying the Almighty Allah who piloted us to this day through that intellectual odyssey and to show appreciation to regular, invaluable readers without whom the column would have been meaningless if not irrelevant. The article went thus:

    “The young shall grow. With his brain, teeth and limbs, he shall develop through motherly nurturing and evolve as a dependent adolescent. Then, through the various circumstances of life, he shall garner experiences that will help him to grow into an independent adult. It is assumed that in that process, he must have learnt how to suck mother’s breast milk; how to eat solid food; how to sit unaided and how to crawl riskily from fire place to water storage. He must also have mastered the art of walking around with no sense of any danger and that of running from pillar to post in a seeming rehearsal for the struggles of life.

    Thereafter, like a competent Cadet, he shall rise through the ranks to become an army general one day. Like a prince, he shall struggle through thick and thin to become a king one day. Like a student, he shall study days and nights to become a professor one day. Like a servant, he shall serve and serve loyally until he becomes a master one day. Then, rising to a status of prominence, he shall ask himself the vital question: “how did I reach this stage?” That child is ‘The Message’ column.

     

    Soliloquy

    “It is not just by leading battalions of army to war or by conquering an avowed enemy that a General of worth emerges. What makes a worthy general is the ability to care for the rear as much as he concentrates on ravaging the rough road that leads to the war arena. A general who does not care about the soldiers he leads to war is only risking his life and his fame as he may end up being a General without troops.

    For most Nigerian Muslim readers of newspapers, especially The Nation, this column is a ‘General’ in its own right. And, to be worthy of the name, it becomes a sine qua none to look back, at this point, and see if the archers are still there with their ‘bows’ and ‘arrows’”. The archers in this case are the readers. Without them, there can be no general called ‘The Message’.

     

    The Ark

    Today, ‘The Message’ as a column, is ten years old. It was all like yesterday when it started cruising, like the Ark of Noah, across oceans and seas of life, some of which were ‘Atlantic’ while others were ‘Pacific’. “On board of that ‘Ark’ were a number of issues revolving around man and his faith and the norms that guide the moral existence of Muslims.

    As expected, along its cruise rout, the ark encountered some whales and sharks as well as crocodiles and hippos thereby becoming a target of dangerous threats at various stages of the voyage.

    In a nutshell, ‘The Message’ has consistently been a lily by the mossy stone. Yet, like any newly christened child, not many readers were aware of the existence of this column until a couple of years after its debut.

    “Today, however, the story is different. In virtually all corners of Nigeria and even some countries abroad, ‘The Message’ has become a house hold name just like The Nation. Its readers are not from amongst the Muslims alone. They are not from amongst Nigerians alone. They cut across religions, tribes, nationals, races, genders, ages, ideologies and interests. Their responses and reactions confirm this”.

    If ‘The Message’ has not been publishing reactions in recent times, it is not because there are no reactions but because most of the incoming reactions are from abroad and mostly complimentary.

    To consistently publish such reactions may amount to self-adulation by the columnist as it may create boredom for the readers.

    Unlike in the past, most Nigerian readers of ‘The Message’ hardly react to the contents of its column in writing these days. They prefer to call by phone and discuss verbally with the columnist an indication that newspaper readership is being reduced to a sheer leisure matter. The purpose of displaying the telephone number and email address of the columnist in this column is not for the readers to call but to send reactions in writing so that fellow readers can share their expressed ideas.

     

    Original design

    “As a column, ‘the Message’ was originally designed, to serve the purpose of a weekly Friday sermon in a written form. Thus, like any informed sermon, it discusses, comprehensively, all issues affecting the lives of Muslims vis a vis the fundamental principles of their religion”. It ascertains all perceivable problems in the society and proffers possible solutions to them where necessary from Islamic perspective based on indepth research and the intellectual ability of the columnist to interpret such research and present it to the public in the purest form”.

    Going by its title, this column is not a message to the Muslims alone. It is rather a message to all civilised people who want to know the reason for the existence of Islam and the extent of its workings. It is also a mode of interaction between the Muslims and non-Muslims over some issues hitherto considered knotty and unresolved. Thus, by making the column a participatory one whereby readers are privileged to express their opinions and observations in reaction to its contents, a better understanding is gradually being forged between the adherents of Islam and those of other religions.

    As a result, the perennial mutual suspicion, particularly between the adherents of Islam and those of Christianity in Nigeria, has drastically been reduced. Now, it is becoming clearer that religion should not be by coercion but by personal conviction based on persuasion which must not be offensive to others who are yet be convinced. However, if in the process of practising what is believed, some elements of bigotry are reflected, let that be attributed to the messenger rather than the message.

    Not all ambassadors are worthy of the missions entrusted to them. There is no sphere of human life without bigotry. Globally, it is not in religion alone that fanatics are found. They are also found in politics, business, professions, cultures and even sports. If this is the case, human nature must be separated from the precepts of religions. Nigerian Muslims do not attribute the crimes committed by some Christians to Christianity as a religion. Therefore, let Nigerian journalists learn a lesson from this and stop using the media to champion sectarian strife between two religious blocs”.

     

    Peace and no rancour

    “Now, by understanding that religion, in any society, is like a university where various faculties exist and admission seekers can enroll in any faculty without one obstructing the chance of another,  readers of this column are beginning to see religion as an instrument of peace rather than that of rancour”.

     

    Spheres of life

    In Islam, there is no barrier between one sphere of life and another. The temporal and spiritual lives of Muslims are fully governed by the tenets of their religion. And those tenets cut across all spheres of life without any demarcation. Thus, just as it will be improper and irrational for those in the economic or business sector to scare away politicians from economy so it is for politicians who want to prevent religionists from commenting on politics.

    That is an intolerable aggression which ‘The Message’ as a religious column will not condone. Those who don’t want religion to be mixed with politics should neither ask for votes in Churches and Mosques nor seek political patronage of religious pundits.

    As for some religious demagogues and their congregational zealots who think Islam must be practised according to their own perception of life, such a parochial wish must be stopped henceforth. Nothing causes religious rancour in Nigeria as much as provocation. This has been tolerated for a very long time by Nigerian Muslims. It must not continue. As Muslims, we shall legitimately resist any attempt by anybody to use our political mandate to devastate our religious lives with a view to gagging us in a country to which we all belong. ‘The Message’ shall continue to champion such a course in sha’Allah.

     

    Nigerian Media

    In this same sphere, some Nigerian media practitioners are like politicians. They simply hide under the cloak of reportage to paint white substance in black colour and give blackmail a preference, especially in matters relating to religion. It is they who coined such words as ‘marginalisation’ and ‘Islamisation’ both of which cannot be found in any English dictionary. Like politicians and religious fanatics, most Nigerian journalists are at their very best in displaying ingenuity when it comes to evil disposition. They are the primary inventors of political and religious conflicts in Nigeria. Yet, they behave like an ostrich that buries its head in the sand while its huge body remains exposed. They are a dangerous species to be wary of in the country as they cunningly impede all avenues of peace and harmony.

    Regardless of the evil antics of Nigerian politicians, journalists and unrepentant bigots in other religions, this column will continue to commend good deed and condemn evil actions in all spheres of life no matter whose ox may be gored. Islam is an international religion. It has no barriers in terms of nations, races and tribes. A Muslim in New Zealand is a brother to another in Alaska or Beijing.

    That is why ‘The Message’ must comment on Muslim activities around the world if only to inform its local Muslim readers about the affairs of their brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world”.

     

    Conclusion

    This columnist is not apathetic to criticism since there can be no growth without constructive criticism. But a poisoned food is not worth the name of a meal. Any reaction that is deficient in language and reasoning will not be accorded the privilege of a rejoinder in this column.

    Meanwhile, I wish to express a profound gratitude to genuine readers of this column. Their readership is the impetus propelling the spirit behind the informed ideas, deep thoughts and researched writings appearing in this column every Friday. Without informed readers, there can be no informing columnists. Thus, readers are greater than writers. I am proud of you.

    I pray the Almighty Allah to safeguard our well illumined path from getting thorn-blocked by the forces of darkness who think they can extinguish the light of Allah. God bless you all!