‘Why Islam hasn’t fully thrived in South East’

Brigadier General Aliyu Yusuf Emekoma, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs, has explained why Islam has not fully spread to Nigeria’s South East. Speaking at the 10th annual national convention of the Old Students Association of the School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Afikpo (OSSAISA), Ebonyi State, Emekoma, an alumnus of […]

Brigadier General Aliyu Yusuf Emekoma, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs, has explained why Islam has not fully spread to Nigeria’s South East.

Speaking at the 10th annual national convention of the Old Students Association of the School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Afikpo (OSSAISA), Ebonyi State, Emekoma, an alumnus of the Islamic University of Madinah, said despite the school’s existence in the South East since 1982, Islam, a religion of peace, could not be imposed on people.

He said, “You cannot force people to become Muslims. The best way to impress them is through your character – the Islam they want to see is within you.”

“The extent to which we can spread Islam depends on our actions and how we embody its teachings. For people in Ebonyi and other South East states to embrace Islam is in Allah’s hands. As humans, we can preach, and if people accept, that is good. If they don’t, we move on.”

Emekoma drew a parallel with Prophet Muhammad’s experience in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where his message did not gain widespread acceptance until he moved to Madinah.

• Glo launches flexible payment plan for smartphones
• Reps uncover over N500b in unused TETFund for Nigerian universities

He urged participants not to forget their roots at OSSAISA, where they were taught to be good Muslims regardless of their background, language or social standing.

The outgoing ameer (leader) of OSSAISA and Mudeer (Principal) of the school, Sheik Abdurahman Isah, said the school’s mission was not just to spread Islam in the South East but also to ensure that individuals lived rightly and contributed positively to society.

He said, “The school has made significant progress. From 2010 to 2024, we have established over 20 schools across Nigeria, each with no less than 500 students. Our goal is to develop people with the right attitude. Whether in medicine, geography or engineering, the right attitude is essential.”