An Islamic Non-governmental organisation, Ar-Ridoh Islamic International Foundation has pioneered tripartite training of over 250 youths in Quran proficiency, digital ICT fundamentals and leadership skills.
The course tagged “a month vacation programme” which was organised in collaboration with Ibadan Muslim Community has as participants youths ranging from ages 15 to 25.
At the graduation ceremony held at House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, the Chief Executive Officer, Ar-Ridoh Islamic International Foundation, Ibadan, Sheikh Muhammadu-Jamiu Abdulgafar explained that the foundation”s vision 2030 is targeted at grooming 10,000 youths in all round education including Islamic ethos, digital entrepreneurship and leadership roles to resolve socio-cultural and economic challenges facing the country.
Sheikh Abdulgafar said the graduands who were the first set to participate in the course had been adequately trained in Islamic education with moderation, tolerance and accommodation, latest and advanced ICT courses such as networking and artificial intelligence amongst others.
“Leadership training is very important for upcoming leaders and that”s why it’s a core course in the programme as we have abundant resources in Nigeria but lack managers”. He declared.
The Chief Executive Officer said the programme will be replicated in all states in Nigeria till 2030 calling on individuals and group to partner the foundation for the laudable project.
The graduation ceremony featured practical presentations by some of the youths on the areas of leadership skills, ICT appreciation, artificial intelligence and Arabic/Islamic learning.
In their presentations on challenges of leadership in Nigeria, two of the graduating youths ,Teslim Abdulazeez and Zainab Abdullai pointed out that mismanagement of human and natural resources were the bane of leadership and that bad followers produce bad leaders, stressing the imperative for attitudinal change for a better Nigeria.
In another presentation on modern and swift ways to teach Arabic and Islamic knowledge, one of the graduands, Kaothaor Alabi explained that recitation of the glorious Qur’an required mastery of rules guiding pronunciation of words, adherence to pitch patterns and learning of Arabic language.
At the end of the course, the participants were able to present and test-run more than 50 websites developed by them within a period of one month.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Chairman Ibadan Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustopha Adebayo Oyero commended the initiative and appealed to parents to assist the graduating youths, who had sacrificed their vacation period for the seminar to revise what they have learnt.
Chairman on the occasion and a philanthropist, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti while advising the graduands to be mindful of societal expectations from them as future of Islam, who should always maintain honour and dignity.
Alhaji Ebiti enjoined the graduands not to imitate other peoples’ lifestyle but remained focus.
In their separate goodwill messages and admonition, Emeritus Professor Daud Noibi and the Chief Missioner, Oyo State Muslim Community, Dr Daud Amoo-Alaga emphasized the need for students to be trained in line with Islamic injunctions for them to be conscious of mission in life.
They submitted that knowledge and fear of Allah are essential for a worthy life and good end.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Youth and Public Safety Awareness Iniative, Brigadier-General Muhammad Yusuf Danjuma (rtd) who was a guest lecturer at the event cautioned students against indulging in life damaging act such as drug abuse and trafficking.
Delivering a paper entitled “Sensitization of Students and the Public against Drug/Substance Abuse and Trafficking” General Danjuma pointed out that drug abuse has led to shattered dreams, crimes, illness and political violence in the society, urging them never to give in to peer pressure.
Important Muslim Personalities, Islamic organizations and scholars who graced the event included the Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Yahya, the Director, Al-Madany and Islamic Civic Centre, Dr Najeemdeen Agboluaje, the chairman, Muslim Association of Nigeria, MAN Ibadan branch, Alhaji Abdurahman Abdulganiy, National Coordinator, Dawah Front of NIgeria, Alhaji Musliudeen AbdulGafar, and the chairman, Association of Arabic and Islamic Schools in Oyo State, Sheikh Nasirudeen Arikeusola-kharasi.