SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIAN MUSLIMS: MOVING BEYOND ORDINARY_ BY DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim

Fervent praise be to Almighty Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) in the favour of life and sustenance. Unquantifiable blessings be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)) and the entire followers of his Emerald and Evergreen guidance till the final hour. We continually ask for Allah's favour in the face of challenges of individuals, families, groups, cities, states, nations and world over. We count on your support to this platform for dedicating your time to our write-ups. 

In the last edition, we started on the topic at hand and we did mention some factors often taken for granted by most people in this part of the climes. Two important factors mentioned include the manner of training for children to attract productivity and usefulness to self and others. On top of this is the fact that most marriages do not last as a result of ill-training a female child in the home. The second factor being the third of the four realms of knowledge (skill acquisition) as an alternative for self-actualization. It is unfortunate that most youth abdicate this kind of training in favour of daily income ventures! 

To further enunciate these factors, prioritizing and perpetuate learning and re-learning, giving in servitude to people e.g sacrificing in the cause of humanity and being being forward-looking are necessary avenues to explore towards revitalisation and regeneration. It leads to another important solution to the issue at hand.

As a panacea to economic disadvantage, considering taking up adaptive and convertible courses and training in various aspects of endeavour would serve better. This is with a view to better the lots of most actors to dwell beyond the yoke of archaic, superficial and non-rewarding realms of life. Whereas, 'perpetual doing ordinary but expect extra-ordinary' appears absurd and prone to retrogression. 

Exploring more knowledge in order to remain update in a chosen career is important. As the case may be, this leads to being visionary. This would go a long way in driving individuals to success when taken along with having and being a good neighbour to share with. Seeking after new knowledge and opening up fresh and new chapters give potential to better opportunity. 

Furthermore, a positive attitude towards time management takes the center position in human development. As one of the tripartite hindrances and undermining factors of development, jealous and unnecessary arguments strike in the root of chaos, envy and misunderstanding. Unalloyed progress becomes possible where level-playing ground provided and utilised to the optimal level. 

Above all, the perceived squalor is bound to evaporate where it meets stiffen resolution to engagement of life positively. As a matter of necessity, a resolved person to break the ground in life engagements must always be ready to 'solve human problem'. Being a problem solver predisposes individual to becoming affluent in the midst of multitude. 

By way of approaching revitalisation, a man who wakes up doing nothing other than loafing around the street or making merriment through the day is by right-thinking preparing a way to longer penury. Against this situation, a resolute person makes survey of catalogue of essential products lacking in a community in their tens and hundreds in a week. Sieving the table to actualise the most pressing necessities, proffering solutions in this regard endears him to the polity. In fact, great men are not created, it takes concerted efforts in the right direction to support humanity that propel them towards achievements. 

More importantly, it is to balance the training of children both male and female. A situation whereby Suitor prefers maid in the house than the real daughter for marriage appears a menace. We are miffed by situations where weddings and marriages conducted with huge fortunes squandered hit rock in a copple of weeks resulting from intolerance in the manners of meal preparation and other chores calls for parents' self censor.

Above all, each and every individual should address self to the fact that being alive is a call to duty in which one cannot afford to fail. Religious duties of dual edge i.e towards the Creator Allah (SWT) resonated in various ordained and voluntary rites of worship should not be looked away from. On the other hand, dutiful in acting and reacting to human issues by engaging all hand in productive venture is as well necessary. The exists no other way to thriving in life and to attain felicity in the hereafter other than genuine servitude to Divine and human. We pray for all our children to turn out productive and useful in their chosen endeavours. Till we meet again in the next edition, remain blessed.

© DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. 

2026