The world is dynamic, not just intellectually or religiously but also environmentally. Its dynamism varies from time to time and from place to place. The tendencies for that dynamism are what have perennially constituted the accessories of human progress. This is not peculiar to a period in history or a section of the earth in the geography of the world. Without such tendencies, the rapidity of human progress would not have probably been in synergy with the propensity of man to surrender to the unquestionable might of Allah.
In the first article entitled ‘History of Ramadan Lecture’, published in this new column last week, it was made clear that only issues relating to the fourth pillar of Islam would dominate the contents of the column for the four weeks of the sacred month of Ramadan.
Perhaps, nothing gives more glamour to the month of Ramadan in Nigeria today than Ramadan Lecture. But only a few people know that the idea of that concept emanated fortuitously from a probing question once raised by the late Alhaji Saka Fagbo in 1984. It was the answer to that question proferred by some brothers including the late Alhaji Majeed Sofola, Alhaji Abdul Kabir Ayomaya (both of NTA) and yours sincerely that germinated into what came to be called ‘Ramadan Lecture’ in the following year. The group was later joined by Alh. Abdur-razaq Gawat( also of NTA). The episode took place at the Channel 7 branch of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Tejuosho Street, Surulere, Lagos. where Alhaji Fagbo was then the General Manager.
His question was as follows: “What can we do to give seasonal happiness to Nigerian Muslim children that would be similar to that of Christmas Carol which Christian children enjoy in December every year?” Ater some hours of deliberations, the brothers harmonized their thoughts and concluded that festive happiness could not be limited to children alone saying such an Islamic programme would be more beneficial to all and sundry if it was packaged with knowledge and intellectualism. To give the new idea a befitting publicity, the late Bashorun MKO Abiola (to whom yours sincerely was then a Special Adviser on religious Affairs), was briefed and approached for sponsorship. As expected, Bashorun Abiola did not only accept to sponsor the programme, on television and radio stations in Lagos State, he also voluntarily offered to be its permanent sponsor for the 30 days of the month of Ramadan every year in all the Southwest States plus Kwara and the then Bendel states for as long as he was alive. Bashorun Abiola’s historic acceptance to sponsor the programme became the catalyst for the mobilization of Muslim groups and communities in the southwest to various centres where Ramadan lectures were organized. And with time, the idea of organizing Ramadan lecture was adopted in other parts of the country and thus became a National affair that some other Countries in the West African Sub region started to emulate. Today, Ramadan lecture is like a summer rainbow beautifying the Sky across Africa in the sacred month every year. The first Ramadan Lecture was delivered by Alhaji Abdus-Salam Olatunde at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos. Thereafter, some other Muslim philanthropists joined the train by organizing and sponsoring similar programmes during the month of Ramadan.
The innovation called Ramadan Lecture is a further confirmation that the real bastion of propelling Islamic religion in Nigeria is in the Southwest, particularly Lagos. It should be recalled that some of the most prominent Islamic organizations in Nigeria today like The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Ansar-ud-deen society of Nigeria, Anwar’ul-Islam society of Nigeria, Naiwa-rud-deen society of Nigeria, zumratul Islamiyyah society of Nigeria, NASFAT, Fathu Qarib, FOWMAN, The Criterion, The Companion and many others emanated from Lagos.
It is our prayer that ALLAH should preserve the souls of those who made the establishment of the mentioned organizations possible in everlasting bliss and guide the living ones amongst them towards further progressive efforts in projecting Islam in Nigeria.
RAMADAN KAREEM!
