The Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Emeritus Is-haq Oloyede, has stressed that showing kindness and fulfilling responsibilities towards one’s immediate family remains one of the most rewarding acts in the sight of Almighty Allah, warning that neglecting one’s family while extending generosity elsewhere amounts to a misplacement of priorities in Islam. He made the assertion on Sunday while delivering a lecture titled, “FOMWAN at 40: Rethinking the Roles of Women in Islam,” at the grand finale of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Oyo State Chapter, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. The renowned Islamic scholar also congratulated the association on its milestone anniversary and commended the Oyo State chapter for its invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of the state over the past four decades.
According to him, “an anniversary should certainly be a moment of gratitude and celebration, but also an occasion for honest evaluation. It should compel an organization to ask what it has achieved, what it has left undone, what has changed around it, and what its founding commitments now demand in a different social and technological age. In order words, this is a moment for FOMWAN to ask: where are we coming from? Where are we? And where are we going?”
His lecture, largely sets an agenda for the future of FOMWAN, beginning from “women, technology and the emerging Digital Public Space” to the final section on “conclusion: Women as Makers of the Ummah.”
According to him, the lecture comprises eighteen sections which he hoped that FOMWAN will find something worth of value in it to add value to its work.
Earlier in her welcome address, Dr. Lateefat Olasumbo Dairo, the Amirah of FOMWAN, Oyo State chapter expressed her deep gratitude to the founding mothers of the life changing and wonderful association.
In her words: “we pay glowing tribute to our founding mothers, especially our revered Founding Amirah, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, and all past Amirahs and leaders whose vision, sacrifice, wisdom, and unwavering commitment laid the solid foundation upon which Oyo FOMWAN continues to stand. We are grateful to Allah that for forty years, all our past Amirahs are alive, hale and hearty.”
“Our profound appreciation also goes to our philanthropists, donors, development partners, government agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, corporate organizations, professional bodies, the media, volunteers, and countless admirers who have stood with FOMWAN over the past forty years. Your generosity has enabled us to touch lives and sustain programmes that continue to benefit our communities. It is of note that our awardees belonged to this class of people,” she added.
Dr. Dairo highlighted FOMWAN’S achievements over the last four decades which includes strengthened Islamic education through Qur’anic learning, Da’wah activities, seminars, conferences, and leadership development.
According to her, FOMWAN have tremendously invested in women’s education, economic empowerment, counseling, advocacy, and capacity building. We have also nurtured children and youths through Islamic competitions, mentoring programmes, educational support, and moral guidance.
“We have served humanity through our orphanages, charity home, humanitarian interventions, healthcare outreaches, prison and hospital visitations, scholarships, relief programmes, and support for widows, vulnerable families, and persons in need,” she added.
She, however, appealed to members of the public to continue their unwavering support to FOMWAN, morally and financially in order to improve on the achievements recorded so far.
She also declared that, FOMWAN shall deliberately invest in mentoring younger women by connecting them with experienced leaders who will nurture their spiritual, intellectual, professional, and leadership development.
Dr. Dairo finally called on politicians across the country, as preparation for the 2027 general election gathered momentum, to conduct themselves with maturity, patriotism, and a deep sense of responsibility and place the interest of the nation above personal ambition.
In their separate goodwill message, Chief Bayo Oyero, Dr Wale Babalakin, Prof Dhikrullah Yaagboyaju, Chief Kola Gbadamosi and Alhaja Fausat Sanni, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social inclusiveness congratulated FOMWAN on the 40th anniversary of the association and also commended their commitment and efforts in education, support to orphanage homes and the less privileged ones. They also thanked the past leadership for their vision.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde, commended the achievements of FOMWAN so far and assured the association of the state government support in its programmes and activities.
Speaking with The Springstar Magazine at the event, Prof Abdulrasheed Aderinoye said the performance of FOMWAN has been wonderful. Serving as alternative mother for the orphans by picking children that were born, dropped somewhere without even know the biological mother. They are the one taking care of them, that’s why they have orphanage homes.
In terms of education, he disclosed that FOMWAN have nursery, primary schools along with colleges across the state.
“You can see the large congregation, they did Qur’anic competition, quize competition and essay writing. All these are evidence of their performance at the grassroots and in terms of mobilizing for health programmes and community development, they are involved with various local governments where they are,” he stated.
“You can see the turnout with over 800 people were here as members of FOMWAN in their very beautiful uniform. People that are voiceless, they are serving as voice for the voiceless, particularly the Muslim women. They also encourage good parenting and they will continue to do that for the betterment of the society,” he added.
Prof Aderinoye, however, advice FOMWAN on parenting, that they need to be educating the mothers and members on how properly they need to take care of their children, particularly preparing them for future in terms of education, even in term of politicking. They are in a position to advice the husband the role they should play in the community on issue of development.
“When it comes to taking care of orphanage homes, they need to improve on the quality of life they’ve been putting on the children they are taking care of. May Allah continue to grant them the strength and wisdom for excellent performance,” he concluded.
Other highlights of the grand finale include official launch of FOMWAN Magazine at 40; presentation of Awards to deserving personalities in recognition of their support and finally presentation of various gifts to winners of Qur’anic competition, Quise competition and essay writing.
In her brief vote of thanks, the Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee for FOMWAN at 40 and former Amirah, Alhaja Sururat Oyero, thanked all the invited guests and Awardees for their support. She specially thank Prof Abdulrasheed Aderinoye for his unwavering support, as well as NACOMYO and Chief Bayo Oyero, the Chairman of Ibadan Muslim Community.
Other dignitaries present at the colourful event were Prof Wole Abbas, the Executive Secretary of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN); Prof Kamil Oloso, Chief Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, Chairman, Civil Service Commission; Prof Abdulafeez Oladosu, Dr Azim Atere, Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Board and Alhaji Daud Afolabi, Coordinator, NACOMYO.
Others include representative of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, Alhaji Kamardeen Dairo and representatives of various muslim organizations.
