Nigerian leaders have been urged to emulate Prophet Muhammad and carry the led along in all affairs to ensure their success.
The Director of Islamic Affairs and Chief Imam of the Nigerian Navy, Imam Gidado Taofiq Miqdad, gave the advice Monday in Abuja at the 11th annual public lecture of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) Abuja Chapter themed: “The Islamic position on good governance”.
He said Prophet Muhammad declared equality of all mankind and preached brotherhood of mankind, and that he also upheld the Islamic value system where justice is central.
He said the type of governance envisaged by Islam is value based and that with this in mind, any opportunity one has to be in power is seen as an Amanah (a trust).
“This is because in reality, a Muslim is expected to know that power belongs to Allah Alone, not to Mr. President or to the people. He also needs to realize that the infinitesimal power given to man is only a trial,” Miqdad said.
While listing the ingredients of good governance as consultation, rule of law, accountability, mentorship, efficiency in management, prompt and good service delivery, the erudite scholar recalled that Prophet Muhammad specifically told one of his followers, Abu Dharr Al Giffari not to accept any form of leadership position having seen the inability to cope with the burden therein in him.
National President of MMPN Abdur-Rahman Balogun said the lecture was to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Mawlud Nabiyy) which coincides with December 12 and which has been declared a public holiday by the Federal Government.
He said that it is disturbing that at 56, Nigeria is still where it is because of bad leadership, corruption and incompetency, and that Islam believes that good leaders breed good followers and by extension, good governance.
“Lack of good leadership and fear of Allah has caused this nation a great fortune. All great nations excel as a result of the visions of their leaders, which were imbibed by their followers. But today, things have changed as leaders in Nigeria were only concern about themselves and perhaps their friends and families as against the overall interest of the public,” Balogun said.
A former Director-General Voice of Nigeria (VON) Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa who was the Chairman and the Director of the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society of Nigeria Ustaz Fuad Adeyemi among other speakers urged the leaders to act in a way that would make the led help them achieve governance success and fast tract national development.
Follow Us