By Fatima Muraina
The Muslim Congress (TMC) has urged the Federal Government to adopt urgent measures to cushion the effects of economic reforms, declaring that Sharia is not evil but a system founded on justice and mercy.
The organisation also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the industrial dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Group, warning that the conflict could impact the broader economy.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Lecture in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the Ameer (Leader) of TMC, Imam Hussain Muhammad Jami, urged the government to prioritise the welfare of citizens facing hardship due to current policies.
Represented by the Naib Ameer (deputy leader) for External Affairs, Alhaji Abdulafeez Adebiyi, Jami said that the well-being of ordinary Nigerians must be central to national development, as rising living costs continue to affect millions.
He also emphasised the need for swift resolution of the PENGASSAN-Dangote dispute, warning that a prolonged crisis could disrupt both the energy sector and the wider economic environment.
Jami called for justice, shared prosperity, and peace, echoing international appeals for the respect and protection of human life amid growing hardship.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Ustadh Saeed Salman Adedayo, Deputy Registrar (Council Affairs) at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, urged Nigerians to embrace responsible citizenship and rethink their understanding of national systems, especially Sharia law.
He described patriotism, accountability, and religious inclusiveness as essential pillars for national progress, adding that Nigeria’s development depends on unity and values-driven leadership.
Adedayo said the theme of the lecture, “Nigerian States: Lessons to Be Learned from Contemporary History,” was designed to help citizens reflect on past challenges to guide future decisions.
He warned against behaviours that damage Nigeria’s reputation and urged citizens, wherever they are, to work towards the country’s progress rather than its decline.
Adedayo also encouraged religious leaders to offer moral guidance to politicians, saying that both Muslim and Christian leaders must help guide those in power with integrity and sincerity.
Cautioning against the blind adoption of foreign ideas, he urged Nigerians to evaluate external influences and only adopt what aligns with the nation’s values and context.
On Sharia, he advised non-Muslims to approach it without bias or fear, stressing that, when properly applied, it upholds principles that benefit all humanity, including justice, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth.
Former Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, praised TMC for its efforts in promoting religious education, unity, and public engagement during its TAG 1447 A.H. event, which also marked Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The event also featured distribution of school materials—bags, notebooks, and sandals—to 45 students in Akure and environs, with each package valued at over ₦15,000, part of TMC’s charitable work through its Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation.
Present at the event were: Lt Col Sirajo Umar Durbawa; Chief lmam of Akure land, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi- Akorede; Commissiiner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro; Prof. Ishaq Amoo, and Oba Ishaq Akinyemi,