- As Islamic scholars re-emphasize need for unity, peaceful coexistence.
The Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja has held its inaugural Pre-Ramadan Lectures to commemorate this year’s Ramadan fasting with a charge to all Muslim Ummah to imbibe the teachings of the holy month in their daily activities.
The lecture that held at the Hall ‘A’ of the Polytechnic’s main campus on Tuesday 21st March, 2023 had in attendance members of the Muslim Community of the Polytechnic and invited guests, including the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman.
The President of the Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme, Brother Isa Obenege Suleiman stated that the lecture became necessary for the Muslim Community of the institution as it aims at strengthening unity and brotherliness and serves as retreat among Ummah to understand spiritual and physical benefits of Ramadan.
Brother Suleiman told the gathering that the Scheme which was established in 2014 has been providing succour for Muslims in the areas of loans and other benefits to cater for their long and immediate needs, just as he disclosed that the scheme has been providing same support for non-muslim staff of the Polytechnic.
He commended the Polytechnic management under Dr. Usman as Rector for providing leadership and encouragement to the scheme to grow in strength and called on others to be part of the scheme.
Delivering lecture of the day titled “Ramadan: Spiritual and Social Benefits for the Muslim Ummah”, the guest lecturer Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Salis Alfa from the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba said that the month of Ramadan comes with more consciousness to the obligations of the almighty, and as such, it must reflect in everyone’s daily lives.
Quoting from the Holy Quran 2:183, Dr. Alfa noted that apart from self-restraint from eating and drinking during the stipulated times in the holy month, there is also need for self-abstainance from backbiting, gossip, idle talks and laxity towards work.
The Islamic scholar also advised that as Ramadan comes with peace and bountiful rewards for every good acts as well as warding off unrest and insecurity, the holy month also promotes compassion and blessings.
Chairman of the occasion, a two-time former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Professor S. D. Musa lauded the Initiative of the lecture and expressed confidence that it will serve as medium to reawakening the consciousness of participants on why they were created by God and must at all times reflect that their acts and ways of live.
Professor Musa also commended the quality of leadership provided at the Polytechnic by the Rector, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, adding that the Rector’s characters and personality coupled with his pragmatism has rubbed positively on the Polytechnic just as he called on the members of staff especially the Muslim community to support Dr. Usman in his bid to achieve more greatness and success for the Polytechnic.
Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman who is the Chief Host at the Maiden lecture noted that the event was timely as it will keep the participants abreast of the bountiful benefits of the holy month of Ramadan and to also be aware of any act capable of denying them of such benefits.
Dr. Usman commended the organisers for their continued propagation of unity among Muslims of different beliefs on campus.
The Rector who also lauded the achievement of the scheme in supporting staff with financial and material supports, assured them of his support and encouragement to make it more vibrant.
Other dignitaries at the lecture include the Polytechnic Bursar, Mallam Obadaki Adeika Obaro, the Polytechnic Librarian Mrs. Omolola Ozohu Mohammed Audu, Chief Imam of the Polytechnic, Ustaz Usman Abdulazeez, among others.
