Reminiscences on Kaduna’s Ramadan lecture

I have had the privilege of attending four of the six annual Ramadan lectures and I want to say that the lectures have lived up to its expectations of agenda setting, policy advocacy, promotion of peace, unity, mutual tolerance among other things. Some of the lectures that stood out among them include the ones on […]

I have had the privilege of attending four of the six annual Ramadan lectures and I want to say that the lectures have lived up to its expectations of agenda setting, policy advocacy, promotion of peace, unity, mutual tolerance among other things. Some of the lectures that stood out among them include the ones on Almajiri, Marriage institution in Islam, Education etc.

The fact that both Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) are Federal Government’s owned electronic media houses made their attempt at Corporate Social Responsibility, using the medium of Ramadan lecture, something positive.

But I want to observe that the Kaduna State Government completely missed the point at a critical time this year. By the special grace of God, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kaduna State Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa is the first non-Muslim governor of the state – elected or appointed. For the advocates of equity and justice, it is something worth celebrating. Unfortunately, the rumoured politics of Muslim sects and divisiveness for and against the current governor especially at the eve of the elections, which if not for its extreme religionization on both sides would have been normal in competitive politics, clearly revealed itself at this year’s NTA/FRCN Kaduna Ramadan lecture. It was unfortunate, because going by the content of the lecture, there was no any individual or corporate body that stood to benefit from the lecture apart from the entire Muslim Ummah in the State than the Governor and Kaduna State Government.

I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to the Governor and any of his interested aides to obtain both the audio and printed copy of the lecture delivered by Dr Ahmad Bello Dogarawa on the rights of the leaders and the led and listen to or read it.  After doing that, the reader will agree with me that the Kaduna State Government was ill-advised on its low profile participation or representation at the lecture. I felt that KDSG should jump at any opportunity that would provide a platform to enlighten the populace on the need for unity, peace, justice and equity. To my mind, this year’s lecture was a reference point to all Muslims on matters of governance, leadership and obedient followership.

The fact that the lecture was organized by NTA and FRCN, Federal Government-owned media outfit, should have encouraged the Governor and his government to identify with the project. The two media organizations certainly don’t belong to any Muslim sects, not even do they belong to Islam alone. They belong to the government of Nigeria and by extension all Nigerians. I am therefore surprised when it became obvious that a Permanent Secretary turned-up to represent the Governor and even at that it seemed to be an afterthought considering the time we wasted waiting for his arrival.

Kaduna State Government really missed the point through its body language toward this year’s annual Ramadan lecture. My fear is that such body language is open to many (mis)interpretations. I personally sympathize with the Governor because although I was not expecting him to attend the annual Ramadan lecture personally, I expected his representative to be the Deputy Governor of the state or at worst a Commissioner.

Alfa wrote from 6, Mukum Close, Badarawa P.O. Box 7677, Kaduna Main Post Office Kaduna. [email protected]