Al-Habibiyah Islamic Society has engaged 118 teenagers on basic principles that would guide them against indulgence in corrupt practices.
The National Chief Imam of the society, Sheikh Fuad Adeyemi, stated this while addressing newsmen at the closing of the 11th Annual Teenagers Workshop, held on Sunday in Abuja.
The workshop lasted for over a 10-day period, where the 118 children were engaged in several activities at the camp, which had as its theme, “Moulding minds for a corrupt free Society”.
He said the society was determined to improve the moral tone of the country by producing children who are God conscious.
Adeyemi said the main problem confronting the country was corruption, adding, ” that is why we expose the children to everything that will take their lives out of corruption.
” Our aims and objectives are to produce children who are God conscious, who are economically empowered, socially conscious and politically active with the fear of God.”
Adeyemi disclosed that Al-Habibiyah, with the support of the MacArthur Foundation and Human Rights Radio spent over N11 million to organize the program.
” Our strength for this year is just to engage 70 children but we ended up having 118 children.
“So, it means people overrated us, I said we don’t have money they said we know you can do it.
” But to the glory of God, MacArthur Foundation Human Rights Radio supported us to this level and that was why we did the program almost effortlessly.
“For the 2023 program, we spent about N11 million because we do not manage anything.
“During selection of participants, we announced in the mosque and on the Social Media and we even have children from the United Kingdom (UK), Sudan,” he said
On the impact of the program, the cleric said some of the beneficiaries were studying abroad, adding that they were doing excellently well.
Adeyemi added: ” For example, one of our products is the current Chief Imam of Nigerian students in Cyprus. Almost everybody that goes to Cyprus use to meet him.
” His room become the Mosque of the Nigerian Muslim students and he graduated with a First Class. This is to let you know that we combine everything.
” Also, somebody because of the work we have been doing got a scholarship to the United States of America and she was offered a job because those who do volunteerism work with us get a certificate.
” So, she was offered a job because of her experience in volunteerism here with us.”
He called on the participants to be good ambassadors of not just Islam but “everything good wherever they find themselves.”
The cleric appealed to wealthy Muslims to support Al-Habibiyah with cash or in kind to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Adeyemi said: ” I beg that those that Allah has blessed should come and support us. You don’t need to give us money, we will tell you what we want you to use the money for.
” Just do it and we will be glad if we see it and if we don’t have enough funding we might begin to charge for the program.
” We spent an average of N125,000 on each child that participated in the program. Our intention is to at least have a minimum of 250 participants per annum.”
Speaking on her experience, Farhanaah Adeyemi-Fuad, the Amirah of Al habibiyyah’s 11th teenagers workshop, described the program as very educating.
She said: ” We had different sessions, we were lectured by several Professors, we had speakers from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and NAPTIP.
” They gave us lectures and awareness on several topics and other professionals talked to us about career prospects and what you can be.
“Internet doesn’t give you everything, it’s better to have discussions with professionals.
