Onike urges Nigeria Leaders to discharge their duties and followers to be patient
May 24, 2023 Fausiat Salako-Sanni
The Chief Missioner of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society Nasfat, Imam Morufu AbdulAzeez Onike has charged all political office holders in the country to discharge their duties as they ought to be done while pleading with Nigerians to exercise patience and allow things take its cause.
Imam Onike made this call during an exclusive interview with the media in Ogun State while beam light on the journey of the faith-based Society and also share his thoughts on national issues among others.
The excerpts of the interview below:
Could you talk about the mission of NASFAT
The mission of Nasfat is to develop an enlightened muslim society nurtured with true understanding of Islam for spiritual development and welfare of mankind.
In its 27 years of existence can you share some of the challenges and wins?
I would start with wins, since challenges are part of life which can not be dodged. Being Challenged In Life Is Inevitable, Being Defeated Is Optional. – (Roger Crawford)
Be that as it may, it is an understatement to say that, by Allah’s Grace, Nasfat has come a long way with strings of modest achievements in each of the four aspects of the trust policy adopted by the current administration which we call, HELD (Health, Education, Livelihood and Da’wah).
For example, Nasfat is the proud owner of Fountain University, a citadel of learning established in 2007, which has produced quite a number of graduates who are making waves across the globe, some are doctorate degree holders now lecturing abroad.
At the last count, Nasfat owns 28 primary schools and 8 secondary schools, scattered all over the world.
In the area of health as well, we have 5 Clinics in Nigeria and Cote D’ivoire, while our social welfare agency, Nasfat Zakat and Sadaqah Agency (NAZAS), a vehicle that propel our livelihood agenda has disbursed about N600m to indigent people in forms of scholarship and economic empowerment, also during the last Ramadan, one of our social welfare programme tagged “Feed a mouth” provided breakfast (iftar) for not less than 280, 000 people across the globe as at the last collated data.
Since Nasfat is primarily a Da’wah organization, we have consistently ensured that the society remains a knowledge and da’wah driven one.
We organize zonal monthly da’wah (Islamic propagation training, where we teach members and non-members what will make them imbibe consciousness of Allah, peaceful coexistence, good interfaith relations, correct teaching of Islamic values, principles and fundamentals among others.
We organize weekly Tafseer (Qur’anic exegesis), weekly webinar on Sunday, online Qur’anic studies, we also publish weekly e-bulletin and friday supplications.
In order to give adequate publicity to our events and other Islamic matters, we set up LASILKIIN COMMUNICATIONS LTD. (KIIN MEDIA), which was formally unveiled during the last Ramadan.
Similarly, knowing the importance of fulfilling and stress free hajj and Umrah, we set up a tours and travels company, Tafsan Tours and Travels Ltd, which has created a class for itself among international hajj and umrah agencies in Nigeria and Cote D’ivoire.
To complement the donations we get from members and well-wishers, we run an investment company called Tafsan Investment Ltd.
The society has 350 groups and branches with millions of members across the globe.
As a matter of fact, I just visited our newest group, DOKA group in Kaduna, Nigeria, the group started less than a year, all praises are due to Allah (swt)
Could you talk about the modalities that have been recently brought in the organization?
Plans are in top gear to set up holding companies for our health and educational institutions.
Our Leadership Academy, Havek Leadership Academy has organized various training sessions in recent times.
We also recently activated a legal aid council called NASLAC (Nasfat Legal Aid Council), NASLAC is the initiative of the society to render legal assistance to indigent people who have various pressing legal needs, but without the means to procure the same.
We also do a lot of peer reviews and impacts assessment.
There’s a notion that Muslims in the South West are seen as infidels by the northerner Muslims. How true is this?
Muslims are one big family, there is nothing like Southern or Northern Muslims.
Our scripture says, “Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).(Q21:92). Our Noble Prophet (saw) also said, “Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.”
It is believed by some that NASFAT seems to be in a competition with some popular Pentecostal groups. Is this true?
I do not understand what you meant by some popular pentecostal groups, but among ourselves as Muslims, we are encouraged to compete with each other in doing good.
“Everyone has a direction towards which he turns; so excel one another in good works. Allah will bring you all together wherever you might be, for nothing is beyond His power.” (Q2:148)
“˹So˺ compete with one another for forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. This is the favor of Allah. He grants it to whoever He wills. And Allah is the Lord of infinite bounty” (Q57:21)
Many Nigerians have expressed concern that despite deregulation of the oil sector, the cost of petrol import has continued to rise with no solution in sight, even as several groups have kicked against President Buhari’s proposed world Bank loan of 800 million dollars for post fuel subsidy. What is your take?
My religion has not taught me to openly criticize my leader. If an economic policy is seen to be slow in bringing desired results, there is always room for those saddled with the management of our economy to do review. Moreover, we need to learn to be patient and continue to pray for our leaders.
What is your reaction to the leadership tussle for the 10th National Assembly?
What is happening is not novel, and it will continue to happen. Nonetheless, I will advise all the aspirants to focus on what they will do for the nation to improve the lot of the common man.
Are there things both the leaders and led can do for a better Nigeria as expectations are high in view of the change of administration come May 29?
Prayers, advice to leaders, demonstration of love for our country, sincerity on the part of the leaders and the led, mutual trust and self-discipline
Leaders are to discharge their trust, followers to be patient.
May Allah (swt) prosper our nation.
