By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta 

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, has attributed Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, corruption and moral decline to a failure of collective responsibility by citizens and leaders across all levels of society.

Abdul-Hameed, who is also the Imam of the Muslim Community at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, made the assertion while delivering a keynote lecture titled “We Are All Responsible” at the 115th Zonal Islamic Vacation Course, IVC, of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, B-Zone, held at the proposed permanent site of Al-Ummah University along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway, Onigari area of Ogun State.

In his lecture, the rector argued that social injustice, corruption, insecurity and poor living standards do not exist in isolation but thrive when individuals and institutions abandon their moral and civic duties. 

He stressed that responsibility applies to everyone, including leaders, parents, youths, professionals and religious scholars, warning that silence in the face of wrongdoing amounts to complicity.

According to him, responsibility in Islam goes beyond personal actions to include words, influence and inaction, noting that people will be held accountable not only for what they do, but also for what they fail to prevent. He explained that corruption spreads when honest people remain silent, while insecurity deepens when justice is ignored.

Abdul-Hameed further described human beings as trustees of society, saddled with the duty to protect values, promote justice and correct wrongs within families, institutions and the nation at large. He maintained that genuine reform must begin with personal accountability before it can translate into meaningful societal change.

He commended the MSSN B-Zone for consistently organising the Islamic Vacation Course, describing the programme as a platform for moral renewal, leadership grooming and social reform among Muslim youths. He noted that such gatherings play a critical role in shaping disciplined and principled future leaders.

The rector’s position aligned with the theme of the 115th IVC, which centres on collective responsibility in addressing Nigeria’s moral decline, economic hardship and insecurity. 

The theme, according to organisers, challenges participants to recognise their individual and shared roles in rebuilding society.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Amir of MSSN B-Zone, Mallam Moshood Kolawole, had described the IVC as the Society’s flagship programme, noting that it brings together participants from across the 17 southern states of Nigeria for reflection on personal growth and societal responsibility. 

Mallam Kolawole therefore urged delegates to translate lessons from the programme into practical actions within their communities.

Giving his closing remarks, the national president, Mallam Tajudeen Mustapha,  reiterated that indifference is no longer an option in the face of Nigeria’s challenges, calling on youths to see themselves as custodians of a mission to restore values, discipline and service to society.

The 115th IVC recorded massive participation, with over 10,000 delegates drawn from the Edo, Delta and Rivers axis alone, underscoring the scale and influence of the programme as a forum for shaping perspectives on national development and ethical leadership.