Nasfat Amuwo Odofin empowers youth members in the branch
June 15, 2023
Fausiat Salako-Sanni
The thirst and quest for information technology driven life is very rampant and couple with the campaign on Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is the in-thing, hence, this generation requires focusing more on acquiring knowledge in this regard.
To this end not less than fourteen youths have graduated from Nasfat Amuwo Odofin Branch through one of the information technology programmes of the youth wing.
The guest lecturer at the graduation ceremony, Mr. AbdulQuadri Daramola, a senior manager at Reckit Beckista emphasised this and the importance of computer knowledge in today’s world as the world has become a global village with ICT.
He advised the graduands to make judicious use of the knowledge that have been impacted on them while he also presented the graduands with gifts.
Analysing the genesis of the whole idea, the convener of the initiative, the Youth Ameer for Nasfat Amuwo Odofin Branch, Mojeed Monsuru Abayomi disclosed in an exclusive interview on Thursday June 15, 2023 in Lagos with KIIN MEDIA that the graduation ceremony was held on Sunday June 4, 2023 at the Branch Asalatu venue, Festac Town, Lagos.
According to the convener of this knowledge-driven initiative, he said “the rationale behind the project is to change the narrative on the allegation of youth’s involvement in some ills in the society.”
“There’s need to wake up our youth from slumber, for them to be progressive youths and not regressive youths. So that they can be more productive, contribute their own quota in the growth and development of the society starting from the communities they reside.”
“More importantly to support the education, knowledge of the youth at Amuwo Odofin and it’s environs.”
“So, the youth wing committee sets up a computer training work station with few computer systems in it for youths to complement the Islamic education/knowledge they’re already acquiring, as the two knowledge will go a long way in helping to shape their lives and endeavours.”
The ICT programme was theoretical and practical oriented, designed as virtual and physical classes of about thirty-one people who applied for the course at the initial stage, but only fourteen continued to the last day.
The computers used were also donated by the members of Nasfat youth wing of Amuwo Odofin Branch. The ages of the applicants for the computer training initiative is between fourteen years and above.
“Majority of the applicants and who later graduated had no knowledge of the computer before the progamme. This is the set of people the initiative is targeted to benefit from.”
“For the eight months no dime was collected from the participants. It’s a free exercise as powered by the youth wing.”said Mojeed.
Highlighting some of the challenges encountered during the exercise. Mr. Mojeed opined that, “The excuse some of the applicants gave was non-availability of time to further fully participate due one engagement or the other but for some of them it was unseriousness on their part.”
“Among other challenges faced with during the programme was students coming late for classes, and the volunteers (lecturers) will be waiting for the students. Also anytime any or some of our volunteers weren’t available, I will have co-opt other youth wing members and even some of my brothers and sisters to help cover for their absence by teaching the students. Because we can’t fold arms and allow the initiative to die simply because our volunteers weren’t around, so it was a challenge for us but Alhamdullillah Rabilliallamin we were able to surmount the challenges.”
Mr. Mojeed further spoke on how the project was financed “the source for the running cost of the programme was the left over of the revenue generated from the Ramadan Tafseer activities for the year 2022/2023. The programme started in October last year and run till the month of May this year 2023, then the graduation ceremony was held in this month of June, 2023.”
“Also the Nasfat Zonal Health Services Secretary, Alhaja Otusanya donated a generating power set for the project after hearing that the initiative is from the youth, so she supported the course.”
Among other programs the graduands were taught are Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint, Akcess, how to print and some relevant computer programs that will equiped them to work in an office environment and prepare them as a start-up, even as an entrepreneur.
“Most of the lecturers for these 8 months were all Volunteers who are experienced computer education gurus and they rendered their services Lillahi Warosullihi (free of charge) just as services to worship Allah SWT. May Allah SWT bountifully reward them.”he prayed.
Some of the dignitaries at the graduation ceremony were the Branch Chairman, Alh. Sulaimon Ajayi, Branch Missioner Imam (Alh) Ahmod Folami, who also blessed the graduands and their certificates, parents of the graduating students and several youth wing members.
The Ameer however, advised the graduands to get personal laptops for onward practice of what have been learnt so as not to forget all what that they’ve been taught. As this is the first stage, the foundation stage for computer knowledge, they need to go further to add more to what they’ve acquired from the free computer training.
“As majority of the applicants and who later graduated had no knowledge of the computer before the progamme. This is the set of people the initiative is targeted to benefit from.”
The applicants were divided into two groups who attended classes weekends of every week for practicals, throughout the course while online classes were observed during the week days. On Saturday between 10:00am and 12:00noon(first group) and between 12:00noon and 2:00pm (second group) and on Sunday between 10:00am and 12:00noon(first group) and between 12:00noon and 2:00pm (second group) at the Asalatu venue.
He however, enjoined parents to strive to invest in thier children especially on getting the right and appropriate education(Arabic, western, knowledge of ICT among others) that will grant them bountiful rewards in this world and the Hereafter.”
“I, on behalf of the youth wing appreciate everyone, we are thankful to the Nasfat President, Mr. Niyi Yusuf who with his words of encouragement and motivation geared us up to think of project that will impact positively and practically on lives of people, ” in his words humanity first”.
“Our gratitude also goes to all our fathers and mothers that hosted the Rotational Tafseer during Ramadan, also special appreciation goes to the following for their support at all times: – Justice (Alh) Kafeel Dawodu, Alh. Shuaib Onosoga, Alh. (Barr) Ismail Abd.Waheed, Alh. Sulaimon Ajayi, Alh. Semiu Gbajumo, Alh. Abd.Rahmon Abd.Raheem, Imam (Alh) Ahmod Folami, and Alhaja Kafila Afodun, Alh. Ramat Otusanya, Alh. Airat Badmus, Alh. Sherifat Oguntuyo, Alh. Ismat Busari, Alh. Rashidat Boladale, Alh. Fatimo Abd.Azeez, Alh. Sherifat Ogunkanmi to mention but a few.”
“The Youth Wing Executives for their Cooperation, All YAC of the branch for their time to time support and advice members present at the Computer Graduation ceremony.”