The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) Lagos State Chapter on Saturday held its quarterly Muslim Youth Assembly (MYA).
The event themed: “The State, the Imamate, and Traditional Institutions in Yorubaland: Oscillating between hegemony and congruity” took place at the Orile Agege Secretariat Hall, Agege, Lagos State.
In a press statement issued by its
Public Relations Officer, Adeyemo Abd’Akeem and made available to Theliberationnews, the event was aimed at promoting knowledge, understanding and harmony amongst Muslim youths and stakeholders for the betterment of the ummah.
The distinguished guest lecturer, Professor Amuni Olayinka Kudus, from the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo delivered a thought-provoking lecture at the programme.
Prof. Amuni explored the complex relationships between the State, imamate, and traditional institutions in Yoruba land, highlighting the tensions and synergies between hegemony and congruity in the course of the relationship.
The erudite scholar, in his lecture, referenced the efforts and scholarly works of Professor Gbadamosi and other scholars on the emergence and development of Islam in Yoruba land, as well as, the evolution of the Muslim Ummah.
Professor Amuni’s lecture was closely followed by further discussions on the theme as driven by Dr. Abdul-Wasi’ Babatunde Moshood, Head of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University); Barr. Muheeb Abdul Fatai, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice Lagos State, and Former State Coordinator of NACOMYO Lagos State Chapter) all of whom shared their rich understanding and of the topic.
Meanwhile, practicable solutions were proffered to the conflict between the imamate institution and the State and traditional institution.
The recommendations includes; “That the choice of Imams for Central Mosques in Yorubaland should have the involment of the Muslim Ummah of South-west Nigeria MUSWEN.
“That it has become imperative for Muslims to participate in politics and be in positions of relevance in the scheme of things.
“That Muslims and leadership of Central Mosques need to be united among themselves so as not to create room for interference by traditional institution or government.
“That it has become essential to identify with the traditional institutions especially, Obas that are receptive to Islam and Muslims and not to ostracised the traditional institution as being idolatory.”
Another major highlight of the programme was the presence of Hon. Jubril Abdul-Kareem, Honorable representing Agege State Constituency 02 in the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Home Affairs who commended the organiser of the programme for their thoughtfulness in the choice of topic. He commended the speakers at the programme, and encouraged the Ummah and particularly the Muslim youth to deepen their participation in politics and engagements with governments.
