NASFAT enjoins Nigerians to embrace peace and urges govt. to avoid divisive decisions that could threaten developments in the polity
March 5, 2024
Fausiat Salako-Sanni
NASFAT has enjoined every citizen of Nigeria irrespective of age, status, tribe, religious differences to embrace peace and avoid violence because it is only an environment and atmosphere that thrives in peace and tranquility that can enjoy growth, progress and laudable developments.
This was made by the society’s President, Alh. AbdulRauf Ayodeji AbdulWahid during a press conference held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at ITF training building, Oba Akran, Ikeja in commemorating the twenty-ninth (29th) year anniversary of the pacesetting, faith-based organisation.
According to AbdulRauf, “It is common knowledge that a society is more prosperous during the time of peace and non-violence. These elements lead to rapid developmental growth of any given society.”
He added that, “To this end, peace and non-violence become desirable. In fact, lovers of peace should preach non-violence more; nothing could be more desirable as this.”
He however, likened the journey of NASFAT to addressing to the following questions; How can peace be attained? How to maintain peace and eschew non-violence? Can leadership bring about peace and non-violence? What about tolerance?
“These questions lead us to the NASFAT of today, 28 primary schools, 8 secondary schools, 5 hospitals /Clinics , one internationally acclaimed and dynamic university and other nine agencies.”
“Can leadership and tolerance lead to peace and non-violence in any society?”
Nations have been torn apart in some parts of the world due to poor leadership amongst other factors. Some leaders have gone to war just to massage their ego rather than broker peace and pursue non-violence.”
He opined that, “Some leaders too cannot accommodate dissident voices. This brings about chaos in the society and raises tensions. Thus, opposition can be cramped down and freedom, guaranteed by the constitution, is threatened. The practice of tolerance becomes important in this regard.”
“Our society NASFAT has imbibed purposeful leadership, tolerance, peace and non-violence in handling internal and external issues over the 29 years of our journey with spiritual guidance Alliamudulilahi. In NASFAT, we have established that tolerance and purposeful leadership cannot be devoid of peace and non-violence.”
AbdulRauf re-itireated that, to keep peace and do away with violence, leadership must embrace tolerance; Leaders, as well as followers, are to have the virtue of tolerance to resolving crises and all forms of aggression.
“Peace and non-violence are important factors in every society that seeks development, progress and unity. It is more imperative for a multilingual and multicultural society like Nigeria to continue to work for peace and non-violence. This would be the case when there is purposive leadership and the spirit of tolerance.”
“Therefore, today as we celebrate NASFAT @ 29, we praise Allah for His spiritual guidance and salute our past, present leaders, stakeholders and members for their purposeful leadership and tolerance and how they had led the society with peace and non-violence style of leadership.”
He also urged the political class to take caution as reagrd the state of the nation. “We therefore call on Nigerian political class who seek for power and leadership positions by all means possible. The followership are not left out as they have to play their part in ensuring peace thrives and avoid being violent in the society at large. Therefore, seeking leadership position as well as supporting a particular leader should not be made a do-or-die affair.”
Thus, NASFAT Provides answer to the question: can leadership and tolerance lead to peace and non-violence in the society? Why should one be a leader? What kind of leadership can lead to progress and developments?
“It is established that Nigeria is a democratic society; embracing the right type of attitude in leadership would correct the anomalies and lopsidedness in our democracy and also guide against despotic and totalitarian leadership, while ensuring that leaders lead by being responsible and exhibiting tolerance and true personal example in solving current hardship in the country. Both religious and political leaders must be astute with both men and materials.”
The NASFAT President however identified that, “A leader must possess the ability to build in the followers the necessary enthusiasm/motivation, to put in, every necessary effort to deliver on set goals. Thus the ability not only to conceive but also to communicate a vision or idea, is of utmost importance as an attribute of leadership. Above all, a leader must first and foremost be a member of his own team, internalize their feelings and galvanize their potentials towards reaching the goal. Also, a responsible leader should be one, who is fully educated, enlightened and exposed, one who has come to the understanding of, the difference between the visible world and the intelligible world, between the realm of opinion and the realm of knowledge, between appearance and reality.” said NASFAT President.
In conclusion the need for purposive leadership and tolerance in a society is important to keeping the peace and non-violence atmosphere that we all crave and pray for.
“No nation can exist or grow and develop in an atmosphere of war and rancour. This makes leadership and tolerance very important in building peace, especially in a multicultural country like Nigeria. Leadership and tolerance are also important factors in the peace process or during reconciliation talks after conflicts. Every leader at all levels should imbibe the spirit of peace and non-violence, embracing tolerance is the key.”
“This is very important as leaders have great influence on their followers. Those, especially in political leadership must always see the need to guide against acts and utterances that disturb the peace of the society thereby throwing the nation into a state of violence and destruction. Nigeria as a nation needs leaders who are tolerant and who avoid divisive measures, so that the nation can be peaceful and rapidly achieve developments we all yearn for to enjoy as citizens of our dear Nation.”
“Where there are crises or conflicts, negotiations towards peace talk should be set up to quickly douse the tension and restore trust/hope. For Nigeria, leadership and tolerance would be key factors in the pursuit of development and other goals. A lesson from NASFAT growth and development” said AbdulRauf.
The Chief Missioner of the society, Imam Morufu AbdulAzeez Onike spoke extensively on the need for the society to be thankful to Allah SWT for His mercy upon the faith-based society which has transcended religious activities rather touching lives in every aspect of life, health, education, leadership/governance, social and skill empowerment among others through all the agencies established by NASFAT.
“The agencies of NASFAT namely TAFSAN travels & tours, HAVEK Leadership Academy, TAFSAN Investment Limited, NASFAT Agency for Zakat & Sadaqah, NAZAS, Lasilkiin Communications Limited (KIIN MEDIA), NASFAT Missioner Institute, NMI, NASFAT Relief Initiative NRI, NASFAT Health Services NASHIN, Fountain University Osogbo, FUO have all geared towards different sectors of the economy and impacting positively in the country and beyond because NASFAT is a global society.”
In her own remark, the National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Ganiyat Omowunmi Babalola spoke on how NASFAT has spiritually and otherwise empowered NASFAT women and by extension Nigeria women because NASFAT women cut across all the sectors of the economy and in different walks of life.
“I sincerely appreciate the remarkable works that Allah SWT has been using NASFAT to achieve for humanity. I want to advise women to always support their husbands in their dreams especially in doing good and making positive impactful decisions that will help better the society as a Nation and not the other way round, for whatever goes round comes round, there’s repercussion for whatever action one takes or help someone to take.”said NWS.
The National Youth Secretary, Mr. Olasupo Olalekan who was represented by the Naib, Mr. Abdullahi Lasisi also added that, the youth have been greatly impacted by NASFAT and they are going to continue the momentum by making landmark impacts in the growth and development of Nigeria.
Other stakeholders at the Press Conference were general managers of all the agencies and Alhaji Kemi Lawal, representative of the National Public Relations Secretary, Alh. Babatunde Aremu.