The Wife of Nigerian President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has enjoined Muslim youths across the country to brace up to the challenges accompanying rapidly changing global landscape where technology, values, and ideologies are constantly evolving.
Senator Tinubu gave the charge while speaking as a special guest of honour at the four-day National Higher Institutions Convention of Muslim Students (NHICOMS), organised by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN,) in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital .
She urged the youths to rise to the rising global demands in pursuing their targeted goals.
Represented by the Special Assistant to the president (public affairs and strategy, office of the first lady,) Abdul Wahab Alawiye-King, the President’s wife said her office is committed to implementing promises contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present government.
The First Lady urged the Muslim youths to uphold their faith, and charged them to rise as leaders, thinkers and pilots by rising above the board in their pursuits especially those that would impact positive changes in the society.
She said: “in the emerging global happenings in such a world, Muslim youth must rise as leaders, thinkers, change-makers, and pilots who navigate with faith, integrity, and purpose.”
She admitted that this year’s theme convention: “Changing the Narratives in an Evolving World: The Muslim Youth as Pilots” is both timely and thoughtful “as we live in a rapidly changing global landscape.”
Senator Tinubu commended the MSSN for its many recorded roles as youth molder “I am particularly inspired by the MSSN’s role in shaping young minds who are grounded not only in academic excellence but also in spiritual consciousness and civic responsibility.
“Your work continues to foster unity among Nigerian students, while also building bridges across communities and institutions,” she expressed with promises to always support the group.
The event hosted islamic scholars and clerics encouraged the government to support the MSSN in enhancing it’s vibrancy for positive changes in the society.
They urged all stakeholders to unite in enhancing MSSN’s role as a strong voice of political and social change.
Among the dignitaries present were the Vice Chancellor (VC) University of Ilorin (Unilorin,) Professor Wahab Egbewole, who recalled how the group effected changes in the national narratives through systemic and academic moves.
He regretted that the association that was created by secondary school students is now in the firm grip of adults even beyond tertiary schools and yet, not making expected impacts.
According to him: “if we want MSSN is to remain relevant; to champion the course of youths, let it be led by the youths.”
Welcoming the guests, the 38th national Amir of the group, Mustapha Tajudeen, urged muslim students to acquire sound knowledge, develop strong identity and uphold Islamic principles to confront contemporary challenges in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
According to him, the event was attended by two participants from higher institutions across the country and urged them to be guided by merit and Taqwa (consciousness of Allah) in all pursuits while striving for excellence not just for personal gain but for the progress of the Ummah.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Yusuf Ali (SAN,) who is the Kuliyan Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate challenged the participants to retrace their steps by finding their voices and ensure that the honour that the association was known for returns, saying: “students used to be elements of beneficial changes.
“In 1981 when college of Arabic studies was to be established, it was the students that came together, we must rediscover ourselves, we must retrace our steps and be relevant as Muslim students.
“Regrettably, we are no longer vibrant as we used to be. Let me add that all that I have come this far courtesy of MSSN background,” he stated.
The guest lecturer, Prof Is’haq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB who described the theme as a clarion call for the Muslim Students, urged Muslim youths to rise above the glaring academic, infrastructural and policy challenges in the country to effect positive changes.
Represented by Professor Rafiu Adebayo, Oloyede urged Muslim students to be as flexible as Islam and not be rigid so as not to scare away converts and portray the religion in a bad light.
Speaking in the same vein, the Grand Khadi of the state Sharia Court of Appeal, Ilorin Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, sought further commitment by the students amidst the raging socio-political challenges.
Lateefah Ibrahim