Muslim cleric blames disunity for Nigeria’s insecurity
By Boye Oyeyemi
An Islamic scholar, Malam Yusuf Adepoju, has blamed disunity, injustice and poor leadership for Nigeria’s insecurity, urging citizens to rise above ethnic and religious differences to promote national unity and development.
Adepoju, chief lecturer at the Academy of Islamic Propagation, made the call on Sunday while delivering a lecture at the 25th anniversary of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Akure Branch, in Ondo State.
The anniversary, themed “From Humble Beginnings to Divine Establishment: 25 Years of Faith, Growth and Community Impact,” provided an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s contributions to religious propagation and community development.
The guest lecturer said national unity did not require Nigerians to abandon their ethnic identities but to respect their differences and recognise the value of every human life. He warned that meaningful development would remain difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of rancour and mutual suspicion.
Adepoju also urged Muslims committed to their faith to participate actively in politics, arguing that leaders who governed with the fear of Allah could promote integrity and provide exemplary leadership. He challenged NASFAT members to demonstrate honesty, humility, generosity, patience and discipline in their daily lives.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Special Adviser on Mines and Mineral Resources, Gani Muhammed, commended NASFAT for its contributions to education and human development. He also pledged continued government support for initiatives aimed at promoting education and youth empowerment.
Similarly, a former NASFAT national president, Alhaji Mikhail Sarumoh, attributed the organisation’s growth in Akure to faith, unity, perseverance and service, noting that its activities had positively affected lives and contributed to community development. Earlier, the Akure Branch Chairman, Sodiq Obanoyen, said the organisation had extended its impact beyond worship to education, family development, youth empowerment and support for vulnerable people.
Highlights of the anniversary included the presentation of an Award of Pillar of Spiritual Support to Adepoju, the commissioning of the NASFAT school laboratory and the foundation-laying ceremony for a multipurpose hall.
