By Amina Mohammed Lafia.
The wife of the Nigeria Vice President, Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima has called on the citizens to take responsibility as leaders and be just in all they do.
She stated this during the 19th Annual National Conference of Women in Da’wah, held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima represented by Barr. Abdulsalam Mohammed S.A. Admin to her Excellency, described as crucial the role of women in national development and the urgent need for ethical leadership.
Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima, reminded Muslim women that the transformation of society begins within the household. Describing women as the Al-Madrasatul Ula (the first school).
She emphasized that the values of integrity and empathy planted in children today will shape the leaders of tomorrow.
“Responsible leadership does not start in government offices; it begins at home and in the heart of every mother, wife, and sister, quoting the Prophet Muhammad’s teaching that a woman is a shepherd responsible for her household flock”, Shettima stated.
Shettima highlighted the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to restore economic stability and national security through the Renewed Hope Agenda. She also praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) for empowering women nationwide.
Shettima challenged Women in Da’wah to build the nation’s moral and spiritual infrastructure to combat pressing social vices like drug abuse and domestic violence.
She urged participants to return to their communities as champions of peace, protectors of the vulnerable, and mentors to the youth.
In his remarks, the host governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, commended the organization for choosing a timely and thought-provoking theme. He asserted that any nation investing in the education and empowerment of women is directly investing in its own stability and prosperity.
“Justice remains the bedrock of peace, unity, and sustainable development, When trust and accountability are upheld, societies flourish. When they are neglected, confidence in institutions erodes and development suffers”,
Governor Sule said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and inclusiveness. He urged citizens to complement leadership efforts by obeying lawful authority, rejecting corruption, and actively contributing to nation-building, adding that the message of goodness promoted by the conference should extend to both Muslims and non-Muslims globally.
Providing a scriptural framework for the discussion, renowned scholar Professor Muhammad Tanko Baitullah, delivered a lecture on the absolute necessity of leadership in human life, describing it as a profound, burdensome trust.
Baitullah reinforced that accountability is universal, stating that political leaders, fathers, and housewives are all shepherds who will account for their stewardship before God.
He listed piety, fearlessness, simplicity, compassion, humility, selflessness and people-orientation as key qualities of a leader.
He concluded with a poignant reminder that true national reformation cannot be forced from the outside but must start from within the heart of every individual citizen and leader. (VON)
