AMIR AMJN

In continuation of its official familiarization visit to government officials and first-class traditional rulers in the country, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria led by the Amir (National President), Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq at the Presidential Lodge in Ilorin, Kwara State. The visitation was also part of the preparations towards the coming of the Worldwide Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(May Allah be his Helper) to Nigeria to further promote peaceful coexistence among the people of varied religions, cultural differences, and languages. In his address Barrister, Alatoye felicitated with Governor Abdur Razaq for eventually emerging as the 20th Governor of the State against all odds, and prayed for the successful regime. “Even though we have written “Letter of Congratulations” to Your Excellency, let me use this opportunity to physically congratulate you on your well-deserved victory at the governorship polls.  By the Grace of God, you are the 20th Governor of Kwara State in 2020.  May you succeed as the Governor in all respect,” the Amir prayed. Barrister Alatoye further stated that the Ahmadiyya Community preaches and practices the true teachings of Islam and shuns all acts of violence globally.  Aside from this, he said the Muslim Organization engages in humanitarian services through “Humanity First International” a non-governmental organization that specializes in the provision of food for all, water for all, education for all, skills acquisition, disaster relief program among other humanitarian services. “The Ahmadiyya Community is a Muslim Organization which upholds and teaches the true tenets of Islam across the globe.  In addition, the Community is concerned with the welfare of the people and thus provide humanitarian services for all without any discrimination,” he said. Reasons for Visitation: The Amir informed that the Supreme Head has been delivering a message of peace to world leaders in a bid to achieve a peaceful and harmonious co-existence. He added that His Holiness had the intention of visiting the country for the promotion of his Peace Message to the Government and well-meaning Nigerians, hence the need to prepare the ground by contacting top government officials and peace-loving Nigerians. He, therefore, solicited the governor’s full support and cooperation towards the visit of His Holiness by using his influence to ensure that the supreme leader addresses the Presidency and National Assembly. Barrister Alatoye also invited the governor to the forthcoming annual convention of the youth wing of the organization coming up in Offa, Kwara State on April 11, 2020, and also the Annual Conference of the organization at Ilaro in December 2020. While reiterating the Jama’at’s full support and backing to the state government, the Amir thanked the governor for granting the courtesy call at a short notice, presented him with Jama’at literature and prayed for God’s protection and guidance. Ahmadiyya Community: A Non-Violent Sect The Executive Governor while reacting described the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as a non-violent organization with peace-loving membership.  He recalled his relationship with the Community at the Ahmadiyya College Agege, Lagos. He expressed his delight over the visitation which was held on Friday, a day of supplication.  He added that the Kwara State government will continue to partner with Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in all sectors and promised to attend the youth convention in Offa. His words: I welcome you all to Kwara State on a beautiful Friday, a day of supplications.  I had known the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for several years because I had a stint at Ahmadiyya College Agege.  I had known it to be a violent free Muslim organization.  The Kwara State government will continue to associate itself with the Ahmadiyya community.  The message of peace and morality which the Jama’at preaches is very important at this crucial period in Nigeria and the world at large.  In as much as these are the messages of the organization, I will be attending the programme in Offa.  We shall also be giving full support to the coming of the Supreme leader to Nigeria.” The Journey so far in Kwara State Governor Abdul Razaq used the occasion to recap the activities of the new government in Kwara State since its inception and submitted that it was a new beginning in Kwara across all sectors, notably education and health units. On education, he stated that previous administrations did not invest in the sector since 2013 and this has led to the deplorable state of both public and secondary schools.  He, however, informed that efforts are on to revive the all-important sector in the State. “Since 2013 nothing has been done.  You need to visit our schools and you will discover that basic things such as water, textbooks, and sanitation are not there.  Leaking roofs and the number of students per classroom is ridiculously high. “For instance, a classroom in a Secondary School in Ilorin West has about 100 students.  How do you want them to learn?  It is disgraceful.  For the schools to keep up, they had to cheat.  That is why we had issues with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) which we are trying to put behind. “We are going to reconstruct no fewer than 100 primary and secondary schools.  They need immediate and urgent attention.  But as they say, a journey of 1,000 Kilometers begins with a step.  So, we are starting with fixing of 31 schools.” The governor added that the government is also striving to improve the health sector and power generation in Kwara State and that social investment program will commence this month to improve the economic status of Kwarans.

The Amir and his entourage paid a courtesy visit to the former Grand Khadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Kwara, Alhaji Solihu Oloruntoyin Muhammad and thanked him for accepting His Holiness invitation in November 2017 to attend the International Conference of Ahmadiyya Community in the United Kingdom. Alhaji Muhammad appreciated the Jama’at’s efforts in honouring and visiting him. He opined that he is studying the books about the Jama’at and taking his time. He also expressed his love for the Jama’at’s activities and policy of silent prayers.

The Amir Sahib led the Juma’at service at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Central Mosque Tanke, Ilorin where he discussed the global peace moves by His Holiness.  He reminded the congregation on the need to imbibe the characters of the companions of the Holy Prophet(May the Peace of Allah be on him) which centered around righteousness, kindness, simplicity, honesty, Godliness, truthfulness, love among others. Barrister Alatoye added that there was the need to change our value system from evil to goodness and Muslims worldwide must be ready to obey and respect the Holy Prophet(May the Peace and Blessings of God be upon him) if indeed we want a positive change across the board. “Foremost of the attributes of the companions of Holy Prophet(May the Peace and Blessings of God be upon him) is unquestionable obedience to Allah and the Holy Prophet(May the Peace and Blessings of God be upon him) humility, love and prayers.  The spirit of obedience will, no doubt, eliminate all forms of negativities.  You cannot obey when you are not humble.  We must obey all elected and appointees of the Jama’at.  We must love one another.” Among the entourage of the Amir were: the Naib Amir (Deputy President) Finance & Administration, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole, Naib Amir Tabligh & Tajneed (Preaching & Census), Dr. Latif Busari and the General Secretary, AMJN, Alhaji Abbas O. Iromini.

After successfully graduating the pioneer set of beneficiaries of the Women Empowerment Programme (WEP), the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria in collaboration with Humanity First Nigeria and Canada has inaugurated the second batch of trainees. A total number of 22 female candidates had been admitted to undergo a three-month residential Vocational and Manpower Training Programme at Jamia Ahmadiyya Ilaro Ogun State. It would be recalled that the Muslim organization kick-started the skill acquisition programme last year with a view to promote poverty alleviation programme and ameliorate the economic condition of the people. Unlike the first batch of trainees, the second batch will not only be trained on sewing and crafts making but will also undergo training in Catering.  Ten candidates will be trained in Fashion Designing.  Seven candidates will focus on Hand Crafts while five candidates will garner catering skills.  Their graduation has been fixed for April 2020. In his keynote address at the programme, the Amir (National President) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez described the training as a blessed and divine arrangement devoid of worldly motives, promising that male counterparts will soon benefit from the scheme. “VMDC is one of the Skill Acquisition Programmes of Humanity First International.  Hence the collaboration between Humanity First Nigeria and Humanity First Canada to empower the youths.  Notably, it is the implementation of one of the instructions of the Supreme Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – working towards financial independence. “It should be pointed out that the scheme is a divine one with so many blessings.  Jama’at programmes had been blessed in so many ways.  By having adequate financial provisions, we will be able to serve Almighty God better.  The next two batches may likely be for the male wing.” While appreciating the major financiers of the programme, Barrister Alatoye urged the beneficiaries to be diligent, disciplined, obedient and also show respect to their tutors and Lajna Imaillah (Female Wing) leaders.  He vowed that the Jama’at will continue to support them even after graduation. Objectives of VMDC The Chairman VMDC, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole who serves as the Naib Amir (Deputy National President) Finance and Administration, in his welcome address, reiterated that the major objective of the Scheme is to provide the needed skills for our teeming graduates thereby making them financially independent and reducing the number of unemployed youths. ”The primary responsibility of every government is to make adequate provision for her citizens in the area of food, health, and shelter.  But it is not the case in our country.  This is why we have many unemployed graduates to the extent that graduates now resort to motorcycle operators while some engage in fraudulent acts. “Shall we all fold our arms and watch as the problem multiply year-in year-out.?  That is what prompted the decision of our immediate past National President, Prof. Mashhud Fashola to establish what is then called Economic Empowerment and Development Committee (EEDC).  The main aim of the promoter was and still to assist some of our members to acquire some skills.  Skills that do not require so much capital to set up and become self-independent at least to meet up with some basic needs.  The programme commenced on 10th January 2019 with 12 students in the field of fashion design and art-craft and concluded in April 2019.  Alhamdulillah. “As a result of the success recorded in Batch One, the Humanity First Nigeria in collaboration with Humanity First Canada whose objective is to identify the less privileged with the aim of assisting them, decided to partner and key into the project by sponsoring the 2nd Batch that we are inaugurating today.” Alhaji Bankole thanked the Amir for his support for the programme both financially and morally and advised the students to take very good care of all the equipment and tools so that subsequent members will also benefit. Activities of Humanity First International The Chairman, Humanity First Nigeria, Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb who was ably represented by the National Secretary, Alhaji Dauda Raji gave a brief profile of the non-governmental organization as well as its numerous activities globally. He said the organization was established in the United Kingdom in 1995 and it has spread to over 52 Countries of the world with the objectives of strengthening people’s capacity to enhance themselves, providing relief to people affected by disasters and promoting peace and understanding among the people. Activities of the body, according to him include women empowerment, knowledge for life, the gift of sight, water for all, medical services, disaster service, food for life, orphan care, among others. He said more than 10 orphans had benefitted from the organization while two schools were recently commissioned in the remotest parts of Oyo State, namely, Iye-Osa and Igbo-Oruwo.  Alhaji Raji also disclosed that the body had been offering free cataracts surgical operations since 2017 and between 15 to 20 patients had benefitted.  Underwater for life, he stated that the organization recently sunk water borehole at Okooko and Igbo-Oruwo in Oyo State and that four boreholes will soon be provided in other remote areas. He thus used the occasion to solicit donations from well-wishers and philanthropists towards the continuous provision of humanitarian services by Humanity First Nigeria. Other personalities at the event include General Secretary AMJN, Alhaji Abbas Iromini; Head of Programmes MTA International Nigeria Studios, Maulvi Nurudeen Okubena and Sadr (National Leader) Lajna Imaillah Nigeria, Hajia Fagbolade Taofeeqah.

The Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria presents Jama’at Literature books to High Chief Bashorun, representative of Alaafin of Oyo, during the visitation of Amir Sahib and his entourage to the Palace in Oyo.

The Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez held a meeting with Oyo Circuit members after inspection of ongoing Ahmadiyya Mosque Isale Oyo, with him, Naib Amir Finance and Administration, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole; General Secretary, Alhaji Abbas Iromini; Maulvi Nadimu Ahmad; Circuit Missionary Oyo, Maulvi Abdul Rasheed Sanni; Circuit Circuit President, Musibaudeen Ogunrinde and others, during the inspection of on-going Mosque in Oyo.

The 2022 annual Islamic Conference (Jalsa Salana) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, UK, holds on 5th to 7th August in Islamabad, Alton, UK. Due to COVID-19 constraints, the event is not open to external guests across the world, except for selected leaders of the Ahmadiyya Community and those residents in the UK. The Amir (National Head), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria, Barrister Alatoye  Azeez Folorunso is among the special dignitaries attending the conference in London. However, members of the public are welcomed to join live proceedings of the programme which can be watched at various homes and Ahmadiyya mosques across the world via the Community’s satellite television channel, the Muslim Television Ahmadiyya, (MTA International) Also, Murhi International Television, MITV, and Gaskiya Cable TV will join other 20 television channels across Africa to broadcast the Islamic Conference live for three days. In Nigeria, the Ahmadiyya Headquarters’  Central Mosque at Ojokoro, Lagos, and others across the country will play hosts to members and guests for the three-day proceedings. According to the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah (as), the primary purpose of the Islamic Convention, which commenced since 1891 in Qadian, India, but now spread across the world, is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits, enhance their knowledge, promote mutual understanding and strengthen fraternal ties within the Islamic  Community. He said the gathering is not an ordinary human assembly, but a phenomenon that is based purely on the Divine Help for the propagation of Islam, translating to an affirmative action the declaration contains in Quran chapter 4 verse 115 that, “There is no good in many of their conferences except the conferences of such as enjoin charity, or goodness, or the making of peace among men. And whoso does that, seeking the pleasure of Allah, We shall soon bestow on him a great reward.” The high points of the gathering are addresses to be delivered by the  Supreme World Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Hazrat Masr r Ahmad, khalifatul Masih, V, goodwill messages from world leaders, prominent scholars, and very important guests for three days, and the global acceptance of new members and renewal of commitment to Islam and e Ahmadiyya community – “the Global Bai’at”, a tradition noted in Islam – that will be performed by His Holiness on Sunday. Other soul-inspiring topical issues in Islam and the global progress report of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will also feature during the conference. The live streaming of the Conference proceedings can also be watched or followed on the social media platforms such as www.alislam.org, www.mta.tv/africa, www. Youtube.com/africa Facebook Twitter, and Instagram. You can listen to  online radio proceedings in www.voiceofislam.org Qasim Akinreti Ph.DHead, Media Team,Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria