Maolidu Nnabiy: Ashraf Islamic Foundation Highlights the Importance of Parenting and Child Education in Nigeria

By Abdulrahman Obaje

A thorough research by Ashraaf Islamic Foundation revealed an alarming statistics that there are currently 10.2 million out of school children at the primary school level, 8.

adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 1 million out of junior secondary school level, 17.5 million children that have already been orphaned, 19 million of children displaced in the North-east, while about 3,500 children are serving as child-soldiers in the north-east and other troubled areas in Nigeria.

The reason the theme for the 7^th Annual Maolidu Nnabiy lecture series 2024 (1446AH) of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation; a provoking theme that affect every household is, “Parenting and Child Education in Nigeria: Appraising the Plights of Orphans and Vulnerable Children”,

The theme was arrived at; according to Dr. Abdullahi Adam, the Director of programs, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation and a member of the organising committee of this year event, after an extensive research and efforts.

Dr. Abdullahi said, “It is our philosophy at Ashraaf Islamic Foundation to inquire into societal problem and see how we can bring solution to it .we concern ourselves to serving humanity because the mandate of Rosulu Lahi is universal. It is not to a single man, Rasul was sent to the entire universe.

“While we were deliberating on the topic about three months ago at the executive level, we actually did a thorough research to actually know how alarming this situation is in Nigeria.

“Believe you me, as of now we have 10.2 million out of school children at the primary school level, then we have 8.1 million out of junior secondary school level, we have 17.5 million of them that have already an orphan, we have 19million of them displaced in the North-east and; lastly we have 3,500 of them serving as child-soldiers in the north-east and other troubled areas we have in Nigeria.”

The event started-off with a keynote speech by Dr. Idris Muhammad Sanni saying that, “If we want to talk about good parenting, it all start with the way we select our wife. The issue of marriage is the beginning of parenting. Contrary to the happenings today. One would just see a lady, he will approach her, and the marriage will be contracted. Unknown to him that this institution is such an important institution that requires preliminary researches before contracting the marriage.

That you are going into a project that will give you children; a project that can either make or mar you”, Dr. Sanni continued.

Also, Imam (Dr) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan, the Chairman/Founder, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation said the theme of this year edition of the maolidu nnabiy is an important one, “It is a theme that no family can do away with, it is a theme that no country can do away, and it is a discussion that no community can do away with. Of course, Islam cannot do away with this theme. That is one of the pillar of Islam monotheism, reason why we have put together our heads to come up with this beautiful topic”, while stressing the importance of this year event theme.

Dr. Aliagan said, “Boko Haram insurgency, pocket picking in the society, abduction, homo-sexuality and other vices that we have that is giving us barbaric and a kind of imbalance condition of environment are as a result of poor parenting. When you take care of your children very well, you have good result”

He continued that all the components  that make up the theme

In a broad categorisation, Aliagan, further quickly enumerates religious education, western education and traditional education as the three types of education that every parent must instils into a child.

“Parenting can make you or mar you, it can build you or destroy you. It can make you the friend of Allah or enemy of Allah if you fails in your responsibility as a parent.”

“Child education is very important. It is the parent’s responsibility to give his or her children three categories of education.”

“You will all agree with me that as a Muslim, you will give them Islamic education, secondly western education and thirdly, traditional education.”

“These three category of education are important for child education.”, he said.

The panel discussants  were Barrister Haliru Adamu representing Human Rights Commission, Deaconess Elizabeth Ekaette representing Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Alhaji Muhammed Wasse, National Orientaion Agency, NOA; Director of Women Affairs, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, Dr. Olajumoke Alake and Mr F. Akande.

Alhaji Muhammed wasse cautions that minors and domestic worker should be treated with compassion; revealing that a legislation that would penalised offender of domestic worker or minor is underway.

Deaconess Elizabeth Ekaette said that whatever we are going through in Nigeria right now is summarized in the theme of the Maolidu Nnabiy she said gathering skills in parenting is necessary in order to raise future leaders that would better the society. She wonders how we have arrived at this messy situation as parents now a days are over-protecting their children.