— Ask Tinubu to change strategy

— Holds National Conference in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has fingered poor implementation of policies in the education sector, a high rate of poverty, and a lack of empowerment as significant contributors to the insecurity challenges in the country.

National Amirah of the association, Hajia Rafiah Sani, said this in Akure, ahead of its 39th Annual National Conference in the state with the theme “Women and the Challenges of Insecurity.

Sani, who lamented the extent of the damage that insecurity has done to the country, said that if these contributing factors are addressed with lasting solutions, the country will be better for it.

She therefore called on the Federal government to change the approach being used by the security agencies in tackling the menace.

Also contributing, the former National Amirah and Chairperson of the National Organizing Committee for the conference, Prof. Lateefah Durosinmi, called on the federal government to redouble its efforts in tackling poverty to help the country rid itself of insecurity.

Durosinmi said that” empowering women and girls, and ensuring their security, would enhance peace, as they are often the major victims of kidnapping and insecurity.

She pointed out that FOMWAN has been an advocate for education at every level, encouraging almajiri children who are out of school to return.

According to her “the lack of education has been a contributing factor to insecurity in the country, which is why the association has been involved in a retreat and has submitted a bill to the National Assembly to eradicate the almajiri system in Northern Nigeria.

She suggested that 25 percent of the fiscal Appropriation Bill for security should be earmarked for empowerment in terms of training, skill acquisition, which she said would reduce poverty in the country.

Speaking on the conference, the National Amirah(President) Hajia Rafiah Idowu Sani, said that all the leadership from across the country are gathered to discuss and fashion out solutions to the socio-economic challenges in the country, with main focus on insecurity.

Sani noted that the conference would be discussed and make necessary recommendations to President Bola Tinubu, to stem the insecurity challenges

She said that ” Given the current global challenges, especially regarding security, FOMWAN believes we must gather and learn from our scholars on what Islam teaches us about these issues and how we can align our lives with the guidance of Allah for evaluating peace and security.”

According to her the association that was formed in 1985 focuses on ‘Da’wah'(calling to the way of Allah), education,(both Islamic and Western), health, women and youth empowerment, humanitarian services and community development.

She explained that the theme of the confab has sub-themes which she listed as ‘Women and the challenges of insecurity;”National insecurity is collective responsibility;’ ‘Tackling the issues of poverty the Islamic View;’ ‘Women Security Panacea for National Development.’

In her address,the National BOT of the Federation, Prof. Saadiyaa Umar, condemned the kidnap of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola who is a nursing mother and her mother is a member of FOMWAN.

Umar appealed to the abductors of the doctor to release her so that she can go home and take care of her baby.

She called on well-meaning Nigerians and security agencies to take all necessary measures to make the abductors of the medical personnel and other victims in the dens of kidnappers to release them without delay.

According to her “She’s nursing a baby. She’s one of our daughters. They should please release her.

“We appeal to the people behind this kidnappings to please desist from this and make Nigeria a peaceful place to live in.

“This kind of incident should stop. We appeal to the people who are into this nefarious activities to desist.
“The Catholic students should be released. Let’s live in a peaceful society.”

Umar implored parents to look after their children and ensure they focus on the upbringing of their children.

The National Publicity Secretary of the federation, Hajia Maimuna Momodu explained that the formal opening of the conference would hold on Friday at the International Conference for Culture and Event Centre(The Dome) at Alagbaka, Akure.