Employ more Arabic, Islamic Studies graduates in public schools, scholar tasks govt

GOVERNMENT at all levels has been implored to employ more graduates of Arabic and Islamic Studies for the proper teaching of the subject in public schools.

The Chairman, Sharia Committee in Ogbomoso, Dr Abdurasheed Abdulazeez, made the call while delivering a lecture as part of activities marking the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Arabic and Islamic Schools Owners (AAIS) in Oyo State, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Dr Abdulazeez said Arabic and Islamic Studies was not being taught in many schools and urged the government to prioritise the employment of more graduates of Arabic and Islamic Studies as they have the potential to transform the students positively in order to become assets to the society.

The cleric also appealed to examination bodies to desist from fixing examinations for students at hours designated for some of the five daily prayers.

According to Dr Abdulazeez, “Muslims place utmost priority on worship to Allah, especially observance of five daily prayers, and nothing should be allowed to disturb us from fulfilling the purpose of our creation.”

He advocated the establishment of a national commission for Arabic and Islamic education which will address the concerns of stakeholders in the education sub-sector.

In a remark, the chief host and former Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Dawud Noibi, called on Arabic and Islamic school proprietors to prioritise heavenly reward above worldly acquisitions, advising the executives of the association to have accountability to Allah in mind at all times.

The Chairman, Association of Arabic and Islamic Schools in Oyo State, Sheikh Nasirudeen Kharasi, while reeling out the association’s achievements in the last one year, acknowledged receipt of learning materials as support from the state government, organisation of seminars for residents of the state and increase in the membership of the association in many local government areas of the state.

Similarly, the General Secretary, AAIS, Sheikh Muhammad Jamiu AbdulGafar, noted the association’s partnership with experts in Nigeria and abroad to build a world-class curriculum for entrepreneurship in Arabic and Islamic schools.

Sheikh AbdulGafar said creation of Ithad farm settlements to mitigate food scarcity, introduction of interschool teaching practice for knowledge exchange and affiliation and accreditation of schools were part of the Vision 2024 of the association.

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Saliu Adelabu, represented by the Head of Department of Basic Education in the ministry, Mr Tajudeen Alabi, encouraged stakeholders to consolidate on the state government’s cooperation and make teaching and learning of Arabic knowledge more effective in schools across the state.

The chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, represented by the Desk Officer, Alhaji Mikhail Oyeniyi, promised government’s continued support for Arabic and Islamic schools.

The spiritual father of the day, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakri Agbotomokekere, represented by Mogaji Onisiniyan, Sheikh Hassan Taiwo, preached unity among the AAIS members and executives to further the spread of Islam.

Highlights of the programme included presentation of certificates to 10,000 seminar participant-students of primary, junior and senior Arabic secondary schools and seminar attendant school proprietors across the state.

The chairmen of the association from Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Ogun states attended the programme.