By Musbaudeen Shekoni

…wants recognition of Arabic Studies in schools
Bothered by the possibility of ending up in the same fate as Faruq Lawan’s report and others which were consigned to the trash-bin, a group of Muslims under the aegis of The Muslim Congress (TMC) has charged the Federal Government to implement the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force’s report as filed by the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s led Committee.

The group said failure to implement the report will further discredit the current regime’s efforts at fighting against the endemic corruption.

“The Ribadu’s report should not be thrown into the rubbish-can like the report of Faruq Lawan and several other beautiful reports. If the recommendations are not implemented, it will further discredit the current regime’s efforts at fighting against the corruption. We, therefore, advise the President to tackle the oil-sector corruption engendered by the “cult of thieves” and “committee of cabals with exigency,” Imam Luqman AbdurRaheem, Amir, The Muslim Congress echoed recently in Lagos.

Recall that Nuhu Ribadu led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force was set up in February 2012 and was given 60 working days to do a holistic investigation into the intransigent challenges of the oil and gas industry in the past 10 years aimed at delivering the mandate of enhancing the integrity and accountability in the industry.

But the report has since been met with growing criticism, apart from the Presidency saying that the report was badly presented, some members of the committee averred that the report was flawed with unconfirmed figures and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe caped it all when he noted that Ribadu was encouraging negativism and declared that the committee did not complete its assignment.

Also addressing the congregation, at the Annual Muharram Get-Together (AMG) with the theme:”Towards a peaceful and virile nation”, held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, a platform tailored for Muslims across Nigeria to congregate and deliberate on critical national and international issues and to provide government with models probable to redress some identified socio-economic and political challenges facing the society, the Amir also chorused that the Nigerian Muslims want a formal recognition of Arabic Studies as a compulsory school subject for all Muslim students in primary and secondary schools.

According to him,: “We are peacefully and passionately making this request because the socio-economic and spiritual benefits Nigeria as a country stands to gain from the endeavour. Arabic is the language of Islam; Our Qur’an is written in Arabic language, it is therefore the fundamental right of the Nigerian Muslims to learn Arabic and teach their children”, adding that Arabic studies should not be placed on the same scale with French and Chinese languages, which he said are neither tribal languages in Nigeria nor mother’s tongue of any ethnic group in the country.

Meanwhile, Abu Umar Al-Faruq, a veteran Journalist and Special Assistant to the DG, Voice of Nigeria, while speaking on the topic “Good Governance: Islamic Perspective” said the governance recommended by Islam is that which  responsibilities and justice are plainly dispensed and people’s interests are made to assume superiority.

He cautioned the government to end deception and abdication of responsibility, “Whoever deceives us is not one of us”, Abu Umar quoted  Prophet Muhammad(SAW) as saying.

He, however, urged the leadership to operate an “open system policy” hinged on ‘servant leader’ style to catalyse the growth, development and to resolve other issues on the tablet of the society.

Earlier in their contribution, two eminent muslim scholars, Imam Tirimidh Jamiu and Shaykh AbdurRahman Ahmad, Chief Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, while speaking about the “Challenges facing our nation” had proffered that  the Nigerian government should reorientate the people, reinforce the spirit of oneness, effect good governance that will see an equitable distribution of resources, provision of quality education and health services and peaceful ways and better means of settling grievances to whittle down the upsurge of scuttle in the society.