Youths urged to embrace virtuous behaviours at YOUMBAS anniversary

YOUNG people in Nigeria, especially the Muslims among them, have been urged to play a key role in the quest to stimulate the moral rejuvenation of the society by always conducting themselves in manners that are in accord with the standards set by Islam.

Popular preacher, Sheikh Abdul-Fatah Athaqofi, gave the advise at the 44th anniversary celebration of the Young Muslim Brothers and Sisters of Nigeria (YOUMBAS), held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday.

Speaking on the topic “Moral Decadence among Youths in Our Contemporary Era,” Sheikh Athaqofi described bad and un-Islamic modes of dressing as a cankerworm among contemporary youths.

According to him, many people, and not only the youth, have failed to realise the menace of indecent dressing in the society and the need to be mindful of their appearances, especially in public, as beautiful and noble servants of Allah.

While urging the youth to desist from “appalling” modes of dressing, the cleric implored Muslims to be conscious of the observance of the five daily prayers.

He used the opportunity to commended YOUMBAS for enduring through the years and serving as a moral compass for youths.

The chairman on the occasion, the Asiwaju Adinni of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khaamis Olatunde Badmus, who was represented by Justice Tunde Adeigbe (rtd), congratulated YOUMBAS on remaining a force to reckon with in the comity of Muslim organisations in Nigeria for more than 40 decades, describing this as a remarkable achievement.

The president of the organisation, Alhaji Abdul-Fatah Abdus-Salam Oloyede, expressed joy at the celebration, describing it as worthy for a group that had weathered the storm and stood the test of time.

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According to Oloyede, one of the major achievements of the organisation is the acquisition of 10.6 acres of land in Ibadan for the execution of about seven building projects, including a school, a vocational centre and a hospital.

He therefore, called on public-spirited Muslims and organisations, including honourees at the event, to assist in the completion of the projects.

The YOUMBAS leader acknowledged the support of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola (De-Damak), who was installed as the “Life Patron of YOUMBAS International,” at the ceremony for the organisation.

Oloyede appealed to governments at all levels to create employment opportunities for graduates and the generality of Nigerian youths to reduce the number of hoodlums in the country.

He called on politicians, their parties and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and not see the 2019 elections as a do-or-die affair.

Awards were presented to some “outstanding” Muslim personalities at the ceremony, among whom is the chairman of Aare Latosa Local Council Development Area of Oyo State, Chief Abdullahi Oladeji, popularly known as Omo BAO, who was turbaned as the Agbesina Adinni of YOUMBAS International.