Another panel session
The Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) has called on Nigerian Muslim professionals to be accountable and demand accountability from their leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The call was made at the 2-Day Convention organised by the Muslim professional body which was held recently with the theme: ‘Impactful leadership for Muslim Professionals: Finance and Governance’.
Muslim News gathered that panellists at the impactful convention held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria, also urged their colleagues to financially impact and improve the lives of people around them.
Resolution Of Leadership Challenges Vital For Nigeria’s Development – GMP
Speaking with Muslim News, the Chairperson of GMP, Arch. Lateefah Olajide said, “Leadership is the key. One of the major problems facing the country today is a result of the quality of leadership we have.
“Another one is governance. There is poverty, and insecurity, among others in the land. As we are heading to another political dispensation, we call on Muslim professionals to vote for candidates that will guarantee good governance and make life meaningful for every Nigerian.
“If you’re a leader, you must be accountable. If you’re a citizen, you must also demand accountability from those who are leading you. We have responsibilities to hold them to account and see ourselves as accountable in whatever profession we find ourselves, ” Oladije noted.
Some of the Muslim icons and captains of industry that graced the brainstorming panel sessions on impactful leadership, and governance include the leading figure in the Finance industry in Nigeria, MD/CEO Investment Banking at United Capital Plc., Dr. Gbadebo Adenrele; former Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Mosun Bello Olusoga; Mr. Sulaiman Adedokun who is the head of Meristem Wealth Management Limited; and political icon, Barr. Musubau Oyefeso, contesting to represent Ijebu Central in the House of Representatives in the February elections, among others.
People With ACES Don’t Fulfill Responsibilities As Parents – Yunus
In one of the panel sessions on child upbringing, Hajia Aminah Yunus, a family system engineering expert disclosed that people who had Adverse Childhood Experiences such as sexual abuse, assault, and neglect among others have difficulties fulfilling their duties as parents.
The session was aimed at sensitising Muslim professionals on emerging challenges facing child upbringing in the modern world to find solutions.
According to her, parenting is holistic and an attempt to employ a comprehensive approach might create gaps or problems within the family.
She said: “This year alone, I’ve written 132 family diagnostic reports and the statistics show that 84% indicate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), 75% indicate sexual abuse and assault before the age of 18. 66% indicates that either of the spouses does not derive pleasure from the relationship. Parenting, however, is a holistic approach to child upbringing.
“Many parents today have had traumatic childhood experiences which affect their marital life and discharge of duties as parents.”
The session was concluded with a call to Muslim professionals to perform their roles in bringing up their children to become ideal Muslims by dedicating time to them and providing them with quality education.
Get It Right Before ‘Japa’, Experts Advise Nugerians
During another panel session addressing brain drain and ‘Japa’ syndrome in Nigeria from an Islamic perspective, experts noted that Nigerians are desperate to leave the country at all costs, not minding the difficulties or consequences of their decisions.
They concluded that there is no paradise anywhere, adding that every decision, irrespective of whether in Nigeria or anywhere in the world, has implications.
The main goal, according to the panelists, is to do ‘Japa’ for the sake of Allah, saying that is the only way to earn Allah’s reward.
Barr. Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, a legal practitioner and travel agency consultant said many people just want to leave not minding where they are going.
She said: “I know how many calls I get from people who want to travel to Uganda, Romania, Yemen, and any other country of the world. People who just want to leave Nigeria at all cost, because they believe anywhere outside the country is a better place to be.”
She advised that people who migrate should make informed decisions because the realities over there are overwhelming.
Alhaja Orolu-Balogun concluded ‘Japa’ is not for everyone, adding, “There are so many misconceptions that people harbour, but the fact remains some people are better off here while some people will do better over there.”
Sessions, Picnic Experience Awesome – Delegate
The annual convention, which started in 2012 to build professional leaders, create growth opportunities and enhance peaceful coexistence in the workforce and everyday life, ended with a picnic at the Tarkwa-Bay Beach in Onisiwo Island, Lagos, where members had exciting moments in a boat cruise.
Muslim News gathered that the participants took off from Oriental Hotel and cruise down to the Atlantic ocean at 3 pm on Day 2.
One of the participants, Hajia Sumayyah Dhikrullah-Badru, CEO of Sumadenike Clothing described her experience as ‘awesome’.
According to her, “We were 21 in my boat and I enjoyed the breeze to and fro as I was just snapping and videoing, as we were moving. Though I was a little bit nervous when we got to the middle of the water the big girl in me kept snapping.
“We had fun at the beach, we ate, play and refresh my soul inside the water individually and collectively. A lot of drinks and small chops were available. Alhamdulillah, it was a wonderful experience for me as well as others.”
Hajia Dhikrullah-Badru, who attended the first physical convention of the Guild, said, “This was my first physical program at GMP. I do other attend online and I joined during COVID-19 in 2020. I had a nice time out with fellow professionals, especially the panellist’s sessions on Muslims and their profession, leadership, economic crisis and solutions, and JAPA syndrome, among others.
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