MUSWEN Enjoins Political Leaders To Deploy Strengths, Endowments Into Good Governance Than Politics

…Scholars, Preachers should not use the holy month of Ramadhan for hate-preaching.

The Third Annual General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State under the Chairmanship of MUSWEN’s President, Alhaji (Dr.) Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola, OON on Sunday, 7th May, 2017 (Yawmul-Ahad, 11th Sha’ban, 1438 AH).

MUSWEN as the umbrella body for all State Muslim Councils/Communities and organizations in the South West region of Nigeria welcomed the over 300 delegates and invited dignitaries who attended its third General Assembly. MUSWEN was established in 2008 with the primary aims of fostering unity among Muslims in the South West region of Nigeria as well as contributing to solidifying the brotherhood of the Ummah in the entire country.  

The General Assembly was well attended by eminent Muslim men and women leaders from the six States of the South West region.

OBSERVATIONS

Given the current economic, political and social situations in Nigeria today, MUSWEN, through an appraisal at its third General Assembly observed as follows:

1. That the root cause of the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria as a nation is the lack of good governance.
2. That there have been some modest improvements in the state of the nation under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
3. That the battle against insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country had been largely won, as peace had gradually returned to the region while more Chibok girls had been rescued.
4. That many Nigerian youths today, including those of the South West, the majority of who possess qualitative education credentials, are unemployed.
5. That the Federal Government needs to do more to diversify the economy of the nation.
6. That the Federal Government needs to intensify efforts on its social investment programme which, if well managed, would help improve the economic wellbeing of the citizens.
7. That President Muhammadu Buhari deserves the support and prayers of all citizens for sound health to enhance effective governance.
8. That MUSWEN acknowledges the harmonious activities of the indefatigable President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, CFR, mni and urges all Muslims in the South West to cooperate with him in his effort to pilot the affairs of the Nigerian  Muslim Ummah.  
9. That Ramadan presents a golden opportunity for the masses of Muslims to learn about and practice Islam in the best way possible; Muslim scholars and preachers, therefore, have an obligation to use their knowledge to unite and not divide the Ummah.

RESOLUTIONS

Consequent upon the aforementioned observations, MUSWEN’s General Assembly, resolved as follows:

1.        That the Annual General Assembly of MUSWEN be held on a rotational basis among the States of the region with Ekiti State hosting the next edition in 2018.

2.       That MUSWEN’s Elders’ Forum be constituted to address socio-economic and political issues affecting Muslims in the region.

3.       That the following Committees be constituted for MUSWEN:

1. Legal Committee;
2. Mediation and Reconciliation Committee; and
3. Adhoc Committee on IDPs to coordinate MUSWEN’s programme to support the IDPs in the North East region of Nigeria.

4.      That MUSWEN’s Zakat Committee should be strengthened so as to assist more indigent Muslims and solve social problems confronting Muslims.

5.       That Nigerian’s political leaders should deploy their strengths and endowments more into good governance than politics.

6.      That the Federal Government should give greater priority to the economy by diversifying the economy, improving on the management of its social investment programme and empowering the youths.

7.       That MUSWEN gives unqualified support to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as it makes genuine efforts to tackle the nation’s problems and enthrone good governance in Nigeria.

8.      That the Federal Government should sustain its efforts to rescue the remaining Chibok girls and return them to their families.

9.      That Muslim scholars and preachers should not use the holy month of Ramadan for hate-preaching.

10.   That the General Assembly urges all to remember in their prayers the Muslim leaders who had departed this world including Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first Civilian Governor of Osun State, and Dr Abbas Aidi of Ondo State.