THE Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Dawud Noibi, has expressed the need for teachers to prioritise impartation of sound academic knowledge and fear of God in their students.
The don described academic success or any kind of knowledge acquired without the fear of God as a waste.
Noibi made the plea in Ibadan, Oyo State, at graduation/Walimatul Qur’an ceremony and fourth biennial Role Model Awards of Mimbar Children School.
Professor Noibi, who was an award recipient at the event, said that both knowledge and fear of God must be instilled in students if the society must experience peace and development.
He called on parents to prioritise their children’s training, saying no amount of money was too much to educate them and make worthy in knowledge and character.
He expressed appreciation for his award, describing it as unexpected.
The chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, urged the school to keep the standard with which it was already known, in spite of any circumstances.
Earlier, the chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Mr Taofeek Odukoya, advised parents to forge a good relationship with their children so that they would be able to speak freely to them about their personal feelings and experiences.
The director of the school, Mr Akinwale Akinlabi, said that the awards, meant to guide the pupils in their choices of personalities they could emulate, started in 2010.
Akinlabi said that the awards were for individuals who have contributed positively to the development of the society, using knowledge, faith and leadership as criteria for the selection of the awardees.
Highlights of the event were presentation of gifts to outstanding pupils and staff members, a play performance and cultural dance.