Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Association honours Olowosago, Amodu, Mahmud
His Eminence Fadhilat Shiekh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala, Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, has called on the government to employ more Muslim teachers, stating that public schools are short of Muslim teachers.
The Islamic scholar, who was a retired Principal, made the call at the 17th Annual Family Get-together/Merit Award Ceremony held at the HOMAT Multipurpose Hall, Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu, on Wednesday, October 2, 2022.
The event was organized by the Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria (MUTAN), Ikorodu Zone, with many individuals honoured for their contributions towards educational development.
Among those honoured were Alhaji (Chief) Monzor Kolawole Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun newspaper (Outstanding Islamic Personality), Alhaji Taofeek Olorunjedalo Amodu, a teacher (Outstanding teacher), Alhaji Dauda Ade Mahmud, a retiree ((Outstanding Retiree) and Alhaji Nurudeen Ayomide Adesina, also a teacher (Outstanding Teacher).
Shiekh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala, presenting the Outstanding Islamic Personality award to Alhaji Olowosago, appealed to him on behalf of the Muslim community to intervene in the employment of more Muslim teachers into public primary and secondary schools across the state.
He said that there is shortage of Islamic teachers in schools.
“On behalf of the MUTAN, the Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria, Ikorodu District, I present this award to our father who is influential all over Nigeria. May God never take it from you”, Sheikh Oshola prayed.
“I want him to use his privilege and the influence that he has to let the government know that we are short of Muslim teachers in our schools, both primary and secondary. We are short of Islam teachers in the state and Ikorodu”, he emphasized.
“We want you to help us put it in your newspaper and in everything you are doing that they should give Muslim teachers recognition and again in your newspaper, let there be a column for Muslim teachers. May God be with you and it shall be well with you”, the Islamic requested.
“On behalf of the Muslim Teachers in Ikorodu, I present this award of excellence to you as outstanding Islamic personality. May Allah continue to answer your prayers. Please, do not forget our request”.
Alhaji Mutiullah Adebayo Raheem, Chairman, MUTAN, in his address, said that the body deemed it fit to honour worthy Muslims in the community for their contributions towards the development of Islam.
“The Executive and general member of MUTAN Ikorodu have considered it very necessary to celebrate and award some notable members, students, non-members but worthy Muslims in the community, Association, and a deceased person( post humous award)”, he said.
He listed some of the achievements of his outgone administration as improvement in the welfare of its members, hosting of the annual Ramadan and Health programmes among others.
“Very notable among the achievements are the welfare of our members, annual Ramadan lectures ( which have been decentralised), hosting the MUTAN state meeting, hosting the MUTAN state Ramadan Lectures, Health programmes, seminar for the newly employed teachers, meaningful participation in the state meetings and active role in the struggle for the use of hijab in our schools”.
Others are, “improved use of social media to propagate Islam, cordial relationship with NUT, MSSN, ADMUN, and other Islamic societies, fencing of the MUTAN land at Imota, recognition of worthy Muslims, celebration of Hujjaj, contributing to the growth of MUTREF, MUTAN registration with MUTREF as a member, celebrating retiring members and paying condolence visits to bereaved members; to mention but just a few”.
He appealed for financial support from people for the development of the association’s land in Imota donated by late Alhaji Wakiludeen Obafemi Anibaba (Lemmy).
Also at the event were His Eminence Fadhilat Sheikh Sherifdeen Ayinla Olowooribi, Grand Chief Imam, Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Musa Oluwanisola Salam, Pioneer Chairman MUTAN and MUSTREF among others.
