NSUK VC urges Nigerians to use religion for development

The vice chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed, has urged compatriots not to use religion in a negative manner, but to apply it as an instrument for development and benefit of humanity.

Mohammed made the appeal during the fourth Annual Islamic International Conference Organised by the Department of Islamic Studies of the institution last week.

Bala Muhammed stated that religion has being politicised and used to undermine democracy, forgotten that it is a spiritual obligation on
earth and beyond.

He cited the revolution in Iran by a religious group in 1979; Nigeria’s Uthman dan Fodio Jihad of 1804; African American rise against colonial masters and the encouragement they got from their clerics and bishops, who urged them to stand against injustice and slavery because God is for peace and progress as examples of using religion for humanity.

He said religion also provides an alternative to ending apartheid in South Africa through Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu.

The VC stressed that the conference is a forum where scholars present
papers to address matters of concern, particularly issues relating to Nigeria’s politics and development. He expressed gratitude to the organisers for choosing appropriate theme: Islam, Politics and Sustainable Development, for the conference.

Delivering his speech, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Adewale Alagbe, urged the participants to take advantage of the invited reputable speakers to dissect the theme and proffer a lasting solution to social challenges that are obvious in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Professor Adewale said that politics in Nigeria had taken a different dimension, which required serious intervention of God Almighty.

In his goodwill message, Emir of Keffi,  Alh. Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa
III, disclosed that religious clergies and academics are agents of change, and cautioned youth not to allow themselves to be used and destroyed by drug abuse. He then appealed to the federal government to create policies that will address the high level of poverty in the country as well as designing a curriculum to address the position of Islam in the polity.

He also encouraged lecturers to attend conferences and publish books because academics who don’t publish, perish.

Also, the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alh. Aliru Momoh, who was the chairman
of the occasion, stressed the benefits of the Holy Qu’ran to humankind,

He said what individuals believe is what Almighty Allah grants to them. The 85-year-old traditional ruler disclosed that heaven is not paradise, but a place of transition for those who leave the earth to eternity.

Similarly, Head of Department (HOD), Islamic Studies, Dr. Aliyu Umar, viewed the conference theme as apt because it portrays the political trends confronting the nation in its path to development. However, the Islamic scholar said the department is committed to being part of the global trends of development in all facets of human life.

Traditional rulers and other participants at the Fourth Annual Islamic International Conference, organised by the Department of Islamic Studies, NSUK, recently.

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