The guest lecturer, Chief Imam of University of Abuja, Prof. Taofiq Adesina Azeez delivering his remarks
By Isah Hussein
Muslims in Nigeria have been advised to imbibe the leadership lessons provided for by the month of Ramadan in shaping national leadership.
The charge was made on Sunday by the Chief Imam , University of Abuja, Prof. Taofiq Adesina Azeez at the 19th National Unity Ramadan Lecture organised by Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society with the theme, “Ramadan: Shaping Leadership” held at the Guzape Al-Habibiyya Jummat mosque in Abuja.
Prof. Adesina who was the guest lecturer at the session highlighted the relationship between Ramadan and leadership in terms of one being the breeding ground for the other as he described leadership “as a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal.
He said “leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization. A leader is someone who can see how things can improve and rallies people to move towards that better vision”.
He explains further that: “a leader motivates, makes and takes decisions, he coaches and builds confidence as well as influences, innovates, seeks and gets results.
He said “the month of Ramadan, mentioned only once in the Quran, in verse 185 of Suratul Bakarah, is the month in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and a clear proofs of guidance and criterion.
“So whoever sights (the new moon) month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey and misses, then he must fast for an equal number of other days”.
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.
“Ramadan is the month of Quran, a guidance for mankind and meant for the muttaqun(Q2,2-5). Quran is proofs of guidance, containing all books and all knowledge systems and it is the criterion to distinguish the truth from error.
“It is the month of fasting for the purpose of attaining Taqwah and becoming righteous (Q2;283). Fasting in the month of Ramadan is iddah(restrictions and self-control) and the purpose is s to be grateful for Allah’s guidance.
The guest lecturer speaking further described leadership as a vital management function that helps to direct an organization’s resources for improved efficiency and the achievement of goals.
He stressed that effective leader provides clarity of purpose motivates and guides the organization to realize it’s mission while he highlighted some of the qualities of a leader as ; self awareness and self development, development of others, encourages strategic thinking, innovation and action.
“A leader must be ethical and Civic minded, practices effective cross- cultural and top down/bottom up communication. He must be creative and possess strong convictions, capacity to take risk without recklessness with commitment to continuous learning”.
In addition, the Professor said “a leader must be transparent, trusting and trustworthy, possess critical thinking skills, humility, confidence, decisiveness . He must have capacity to plan and implement, organize and delegate as well as have listening skills, time management and giving feedback”.
He said the questions of leadership fits into Ramadan as he urged Muslims to take leadership examples from the Holy Prophet who was sent with the Quran, as a model in leadership.
” He never sited the crescent himself. He therefore displayed coaching, directing and delegating type of leadership throughout his lifetime as exemplified in Ramadan”.
“Unity he said, is an attribute and central duty of a good leader and the month unites Muslims like the Quran does, as no Muslim has any different view about Ramadan which brings all Muslims of all climes together to do the same thing at the different places and time.
” Leadership is displayed by the Imam of each community in tafsir sessions as well as in Zakat, sadaqa and other charitable acts during Ramadan.
“Taqwah guides individuals out of troubles and as such represents a solution to human problems and, leadership of the spirit over the body is automated and sharpened during Ramadan. The spirit is in charge and the body complies willingly which is a great lessons in the necessity of spiritualisation of leadership and leadership as a Divine choice.
He concluded by asserting that “the guidance by the Quran, discipline provided by fasting and the unity of purpose in our common activities during Ramadan are all essential ingredients in shaping leadership and by instilling it in the potential leaders which Muslims are”.
The National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyya Islamic Society, Imam A.A Fuad in his address congratulated the society for keeping the traditions of annually holding various programs to lighten up the glorious month of Ramadan noting that the theme of this year’s lecture; “Shaping Leadership” was carefully chosen to reflect the current realities and happenings..
He said” this is the 19th series, where we discuss issues that are not only important and contemporary but also add inestimable values to the fundamentals of our existence as Muslims.
“The issue of leadership in Nigeria can never be overemphasized.
” As we always do, we are going to offer prayers for the Nation, as the 2023 general elections is approaching”.
Imam Fuad said that “it is a unique opportunity to be part of history-to be part of those who will decide the future of this country.
” This can only be done by participating in the political process. Be a good advocate.
“Make sure you get your Permanent Voters Card(PVC), organize your friends, acquaintances, your families that are of age to get their PVCs too.
“Identify and support who become your leaders. That is how a nation is built.
“You must participate to get what you want. If everyone at local level participates in the electoral process, sooner than we think, our beloved country will be better for all.
“Do no sell your votes for peanuts, do not mortgage your future but vote only those who have capacity to lead, who have compassion and whose track records points to integrity.”
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