Nigerian youths have been advised to be agents of positive change by avoiding acts that could dent the image of their communities and the country at large.
Dr Abdulhameed Badmas gave the advice in Ilorin during the annual Ramadan lecture organized by Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Fate branch under the chairman of Mallam Suleiman Dagbo.
Dr Badmas, who is a lecturer in the Department of Religion, University of Ilorin, described youths as leaders of tomorrow.
The don who spoke on the theme: “Ilorin Emirate Youths,Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”, said the founding fathers of Ilorin Emirate laboured very hard for peace and stability of the community.
He however expressed regret that many youths had derailed from the good foundation laid down by the founding fathers of the community.
He emphasised the need for contemporary scholars to sustain the good legacies of past religious leaders.
While describing Islam as the major pride of Ilorin community, Dr Badmas said Ilorin community’s culture was rooted from Islamic culture.
He added Ilorin was known for unity and oneness due to Islamic practices, hence the need for the people of the community to sustain the tempo.
He called on youths to use their youthful age productively especially for the propagation of Islam.
This, he said would make them remain forever, even after their journey to the life beyond.
He noted that the way and manner one spend his youthful age would reflect in their old age.
He said it was very regrettable that many parents had failed to give necessary attention to religious studies.
He said if parents could equip their children with sound religious education, it would guide from the social menace that had become the order of the day.
In his remark, the Ag. National President of IEDPU, Alhaji Y.O. Ahmed appreciated the organizers of the lecture for their contributions to community development.
Represented by Vice President for Central Zone, Alhaji Babatunde Kolawole, the acting National President, called on youths to avoid being used as instruments of destruction.
He advised all branches of the association to let the progress and development of the community be paramount in their activities.
The Chairman of Fate Muslim Community, Alhaji S.A. Mahmud and Prof Hamzat Abdulraheem of Kwara State University, Malete, called on the people of Ilorin community to see themselves as indivisible entity and strive very hard for oneness and development of the community.
The chairman of Fate branch of IEDPU, Mallam Suleiman Dagbo said the lecture was part of annual programmes of the association to educate promote Islamic culture among the youths.
He appreciated those that have contributed in one way or the other to the success of the programme and renewed the association’s commitment to continue promote peace and stability of the community.
End
