Leadership is a vital management function that helps to direct an organisation’s resources for improved efficiency and the achievement of goals.
Professor Taofiq Adesina Azeez, of the Department of English, University of Abuja, stated this at the Annual Ramadhan Unity Lecture with the Theme: “Ramadhan: Shaping Leadership” organised by the Al-Habibiyya Islamic Centre in Guzape District, Abuja.
While delivering his lecture at the event, Professor Taofiq noted that an effective leader provides clarity of purpose, motivates and guides organisations to realise their mission.
Professor Taofiq defined leadership as the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization. “It is, also, a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal”.
He stated that a good leader is one who is self- aware and prioritises personal development, focuses on development of others, encourages strategic thinking, innovation, and action, ethical and civic minded, practices effective cross-cultural communication and has the ability to communicate top down and bottom up.
Other qualities of a good leader include : Strong convictions with commitment to continuous learning, capacity to take risk without recklessness, transparency, learning from failure, trusting and trustworthy, confidence, decisiveness, humility, creativity, listening skill, critical thinking, giving feedback, time management, capacity to plan and implement, organisation and delegation.
He stated that there is a relationship between Ramadhan and Leadership in terms of one being the breeding ground for the other because a good leader directs, coaches, supports and delegates.
He further described Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who was sent with the Quran as a model in leadership. “He never sited the crescent of Ramadhan himself. He therefore displayed coaching, directing and delegating type of leadership throughout his life as exemplified in Ramadhan”.
“Unity is an attribute and central duty of a good leader. The Month unites Muslims like the Quran does. No Muslim has any different view about Ramadhan as it brings all Muslims of all climes together to do the same thing at different places and time”.
“Leadership is displayed by the Imam of each community in Tafsir sessions as well as in Zakat, sadaqa and other charitable acts during Ramadhan”.
“Taqwah guides individuals out of troubles and as such represents a solution to human problems[Q65:2-5;8:29]”
“Leadership of the spirit over the body is automated and sharpened during Ramadhan. The spirit is in charge and the body complies willingly. Great lessons in the necessity of spiritualization of leadership and leadership as a divine choice[Q2246-248]”
“The Quran is a comprehensive GUIDE,[Q6:36], Imam[Q36]”, he explained.
“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful,” he added.
Speaking during his welcome speech, Imam A.A Fuad, welcome participants to the month of Ramadan, “a month of honor and glamour, a season of spiritual rebirth and splendor”.
He congratulated Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, especially the Al-Habibiyyah Ramadan committee for keeping the traditions of annually holding various programmes to lighten up the glorious month of Ramadhan. “We are here once again to unbundle our basket of activities for the holy month of Ramadhan. One of such programs is this ANNUAL NATIONAL UNITY RAMADAN LECTURE. This is the 19th in the series, where we discuss issues that are not only important and contemporary but add inestimable values to the fundamentals of our existence as Muslims. The issue of leadership in Nigeria can never be over-emphasized”
He explained that the Al-Habibiyyah has a Food Bank programme where the organisation feeds over 2000 people with 3 course meals daily. “It’s not a mistake that I use the word “People” and not fasting Muslims because over the years, not only Muslim have been benefitting from the programme, non-Muslims are received with open hands without discrimination”.
“Because of the non-partisanship of our food bank, the programme won the maiden and the only United States Ambassador’s award on Humanitarian Services from United States of America in 2012 and no other organization has been awarded such since then, the program also won another award in Windhoek in far-away Namibia in October 2018”.
“Other than daily feeding, raw food items are also distributed to the indigents. Also, on Eid days, we have the Feed-the-indigent program where everybody that comes for Eid prayer gets a two-course-meal pack”.
Insha’llah this year, the institutionalization of volunteerism would be completed with the services during this Ramadhan.
He stated that it is worthy to mention the daily Tafsir. “This has become a household name in Abuja and its environs because of its uniqueness, our Tafsir is one of the few in Abuja where it is delivered in English language and summary done in Hausa language including Questions and Answers session”.
Our presence will be felt on many Radio & TVs stations during this Ramadhan and beyond: on NTA we have the Abrahamic Mission, a one hour programme which brings representatives of the Abrahamic faith -jews, Christians and Muslims to discuss religious harmony and understanding also on NTA Abuja Channel5 is Al-Habibiyyah Ramadan link ; we have the Be Just programme on Human Rights Radio which discusses the ills of corruption from the Islamic perspective’; and the Al-Habibiyyah Time on Sahur Live.
Imam disclosed that the Al-Habibiyyah has begun the PROJECT EAT-HALAL, a programme that supported by the MacArthur Foundation which amplifies accountability & Transparency messaging and galvanizes community action through faith-based platforms in Nigeria.
He explained that another package that will be served is Weekly Women Lecture, where women folks will gather every Saturday here in this hall to discuss, dissect and analyse issues relating to homes and women with strict compliance with Islamic injunctions.
“I want us all to say Alhamdulillahi for this mosque building project, since we commenced the construction in February 2018, the development has been going on steadily and progressing rapidly, the sand, bricks, stones and cements have turned out to become an edifice of pride for all Muslims even at this construction stage. We believe it is going to be one of National monuments in FCT in future Insha’Allah. Shortly after my presentation, Alhaji Farouk Suleiman, the Chairman of the Building committee will give us an update on the project development”.
Also, this year, a month ago to be precise, through our Zakat and Empowerment Foundation we organized the maiden edition of National Zakat Day 1443AH, which will always hold on every 2nd Saturday in Shaaban. This edition was the first of its kind in Nigeria to sensitize and reawaken Muslim to the Importance of Zakat in our lives. Also, on that day the foundation disbursed over Ten Million Naira publicly to deserving 105 Muslims including 5 Christians. While some got cheques ranging from Fifty to Hundred Thousand Naira, others received empowerment materials such as Sewing Machines, Deep Freezers, Refrigerator, Barbing salon equipment, Electrical and carpentry instruments – just to mention a few.
Loan Scheme
He explained that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to the establishment of a non-interest loan scheme Do-Something-Initiative (DSI), which is a unique business finance model strictly for small scale business owners, it’s an empowerment scheme like zakat but differs in operation and procedure.
“While zakat(charity) is a grant, DSI on the other hand provides interest free loans to the beneficiaries. We are happy to inform you that since the operation commenced, we have done four batches with a 99.9% repayment success, and the diligent beneficiaries who have repaid their loan completely are now enjoying the privilege of getting double the amount of their previous loan, which in short time will elevate their business size. It will be presented publicly very soon and you will be invited”.
Iman Fuad used the opportunity to announce that a restructured and re-organised Al-Habibiyyah Academy will commence a new session immediately after Ramadhan.
“Our classes from the 16th of May will include four months Executive Quranic class, Advance Quranic class and Arabic Classes for beginners and Intermediate. Tah’fiizul Quran for young and adult will also commence. When our Mosque development is completed, more courses will be introduced and even classes will be held inside the main Mosque like Haram in Saudi Arabia.
As we always do, we are going to offer prayers for the Nation, as the 2023 general elections is approaching, this is a unique opportunity to be part of history, be part of those who will decide the future of this country. This can only be done by participating in the political process. Be a good advocate. Make sure you get your Permanent Voters Card (PVC), organize your friends, acquaintance, your family that are of age to get their PVCs too. Identify and support who become your Leaders. That is how a nation is built. You must participate to get what you want. If everyone at local level participates in the electoral process, sooner than we think, our beloved Country will be better for all. Do not sell your votes for peanuts, do not mortgage your future but vote for only those who have capacity to lead, who have compassion and whose track records point to integrity.
He expressed gratitude to the Fathers, Hon. Justice Mohammadu Lawal Uwais, GCON (former Chief justice of the federation) and Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith (former Inspector General of the Federation and current Chairman Police Service Commission) for their fatherly role in modeling Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society.
“Also our gratitude goes to those who have been supporting the construction of our Mosque construction, May Almighty Allah be pleased with you all. We thank John D. and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation in Chicago, United States of America, especially their staff in African office led by Dr. Kole Shettima for supporting and promoting Al-Habibiyyah dreams and ideas. The Chief of Jiwa, Alh. Musa Idris MFR, may Allah reward you abundantly. My sincere appreciation goes to our Scholar, the lecturer of today’s program Professor Taofeeq AbdulAzeez, who is always passionate about Al-Habibiyyah”.
“Thank you Project EAT-HALAL Team; Welfare Committee; Building Committee, The council of missioners, Al-Habibiyyah Academy Team and all Al-Habibiyyah Branches”.
“We thank all our partners in the media community: All NTA stations, AIT, Media Trust, VON, Human Right Radio and Television, TVC, Arise, NAN and ITV, Ray Power 100.5, capital Fm, Radio Nigeria, to mention a few”.
“Special thanks go to all those who contributed to the success of this program: right from the Chairman, Mallam Suleiman Baba-Ali, who finances, organizes and coordinates this programe, the participants, and the entire Al-Habibiyyah family. To Almighty Allah, the Decider, the Planner, the Executioner, He who give without reason. Oh, Allah we thank you”.
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