Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan with Eid-al-Fitr, but what exactly is the Islamic holiday?

Eid-al-Fitr (also written and pronounced as Eid-ul-Fitr) is the first of two Eids of the Islamic (lunar) calendar year. It rounds off the month of Ramadan, which Muslims observe every year to acknowledge Allah’s revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

Eid-al-Fitr is regarded as a time to celebrate, with Muslims gathering their friends and family to show gratitude toward God following the previous month of reflection. The holiday serves as a great reminder for Muslims to be grateful for what they have, and to share with those who may be less fortunate.

As well as giving thanks, Muslims give an obligatory payment to charity (zakat al-Fitr), but this one is a smaller donation compared with the usual 2.5-percent zakat that wealthy Muslims are taxed. This is another of the five pillars of Islam. In addition to these payments, some Muslims take the initiative to work voluntarily at soup kitchens and hand out their own food to those in need of relief.

With gratitude to Almighty Allah, I wish to announce my appointment as the Focal Person, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) Survival Fund and The MSME Guaranteed Off Taker Scheme by the Executive Governor of Yobe State & Chairman Caretaker Committee of All Progressive Congress (APC), His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni. I will do my utmost best to develop policies and programmes to help the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Yobe State, to help them prepare for the business in the Post COVID-19 world.

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It’s been two years and 730 days since you were born into this world, ever since the day we first met, you have always amazed me because of the opportunities your birthday has given to me.

Born weighing 1.2kg, you came in so little but yet you fought a hard battle to survive through the incubator for a good one month and all those while I knew you were a fighter and you will survive being a premie.

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Having you in our lives have brought so much happiness into our home and I look forward to building a very strong relationship with you as you grow older, hopefully you will become my best friend and we’ll forever be best of buddies.

For the best part of these two years that has passed by I haven’t been around mostly due to official engagements, which I hope to provide the best life possible for you and your future siblings.

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As you grow older and develop in the next few years, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant you knowledge, wisdom, big heart, fear of Allah and all the wonderful qualities of a gentleman that you are, love you so much baby ammar.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his last sermon (Khutbah) on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (12th and last month of the Islamic year), 10 years after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah) in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity.

After praising, and thanking Allah he said:
“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.

Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd Al-Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission.

If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O people, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except bypiety (taqwa) and good action.

Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O people, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born.

Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qu’ran and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.
(Reference: See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361)

Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Masnud, Hadith no. 19774.)

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

1. Alhamdu lillaahil lazeee anzala ‘alaa ‘abdihil kitaaba wa lam yaj’al lahoo ‘iwajaa

2. Qaiyimal liyunzira baasan shadeedam mil ladunhu wa yubashshiral

mu’mineenal lazeena ya’maloonas saalihaati anna lahum ajran hasanaa

3. Maakiseena feehi abadaa

4. Wa yunziral lazeena qaalut takhazal laahu waladaa

5. Maa lahum bihee min ‘ilminw wa laa li aabaaa’ihim; kaburat kalimatan takhruju

min afwaahihim; iny yaqooloona illaa kazibaa

6. Fala’allaka baakhi’un nafsaka ‘alaaa aasaarihim illam yu;minoo bihaazal

hadeesi asafaa

7. Innaa ja’alnaa ma ‘alal ardi zeenatal lahaa linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu

‘amalaa

8. Wa innaa lajaa ‘iloona maa ‘alaihaa sa’aeedan juruzaa

9. Am hasibta anna Ashaabal Kahfi war Raqeemi kaanoo min Aayaatinaa ‘ajabaa

10. Iz awal fityatu ilal Kahfi faqaaloo Rabbanaaa aatinaa mil ladunka rahmatanw wa haiyi’ lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa

11. Fadarabnaa ‘alaaa aazaanihim fil Kahfi seneena ‘adadaa

12. Summa ba’asnaahum lina’lama ayyul hizbaini ahsaa limaa labisooo amadaa

(section 1)

13. Nahnu naqussu ‘alaika naba ahum bilhaqq; innahum fityatun aamanoo bi Rabbihim wa zidnaahum hudaa

14. Wa rabatnaa ‘alaa quloo bihim iz qaamoo faqaaloo Rabbunaa Rabbus samaawaati wal ardi lan nad’uwa min dooniheee ilaahal laqad qulnaaa izan shatataa

15. Haaa’ulaaa’i qawmunat takhazoo min dooniheee aalihatal law laa yaatoona ‘alaihim bisultaanim baiyin; faman azlamu mimmaniftaraa ‘alal laahi kazibaa

16. Wa izi’tazal tumoohum wa maa ya’budoona illal laaha faawooo ilal kahfi yanshur lakum Rabbukum mir rahmatihee wa yuhaiyi’ lakum min amrikum mirfaqa

17. Wa tarash shamsa izaa tala’at tazaawaru ‘an kahfihim zaatal yameeni wa izaa gharabat taqriduhum zaatash shimaali wa hum fee fajwatim minh; zaalika min Aayaatillaah; mai yahdil laahu fahuwal muhtad, wa mai yudlil falan tajida lahoo waliyyam murshidaa (section 2)

18. Wa tahsabuhum ayqaazanw wa hum ruqood; wa nuqallibuhum zaatal yameeni wa zaatash shimaali wa kalbuhum baasitun ziraa’ayhi bilwaseed; lawit tala’ta ‘alaihim la wallaita minhum firaaranw wa lamuli’ta minhum rubaa

19. Wa kazaalika ba’asnaahum liyatasaaa’aloo bainahum; qaala qaaa’ilum minhum kam labistum qaaloo labisnaa yawman aw ba’da yawm; qaaloo Rabbukum a’lamu bimaa labistum fab’asooo ahadakum biwariqikum haazihee ilal madeenati falyanzur ayyuhaaa azkaa ta’aaman falyaatikum birizqim minhu walyatalattaf wa laa yush’iranna bikum ahadaa

20. Innahum iny yazharoo ‘alaikum yarjumookum aw yu’eedookum fee millatihim wa lan tuflihooo izan abadaa

21. Wa kazaalika a’sarnaa ‘alaihim liya’lamooo anna wa’dal laahi haqqunw wa annas Saa’ata laa raiba feehaa iz yatanaaza’oona bainahum amrahum faqaalub noo ‘alaihim bunyaanaa; Rabbuhum a’lamu bihim; qaalal lazeena ghalaboo ‘alaaa amrihim lanat takhizanna ‘alaihim masjidaa

22. Sa yaqooloona salaasatur raabi’uhum kalbuhum wa yaqooloona khamsatun saadisuhum kalbuhum rajmam bilghaib; wa yaqooloona sab’atunw wa saaminuhum kalbuhum; qur Rabbeee a’lamu bi’iddatihim maa ya’lamuhum illaa qaleel; falaa tumaari feehim illaa miraaa’an zaahiranw wa laa tastafti feehim minhum ahadaa (section 3)

23. Wa laa taqoolanna lishai’in innee faa’ilun zaalika ghadaa

24. Illaaa any yashaaa’al laah; wazkur Rabbaka izaa naseeta wa qul ‘asaaa any

yahdiyani Rabbee li aqraba min haazaa rashadaa

25. Wa labisoo fee kahfihim salaasa mi’atin sineena wazdaadoo tis’aa

26. Qulil laahu a’lamu bimaa labisoo lahoo ghaibus samaawaati wal ardi absir bihee

wa asmi’; maa lahum min doonihee minw waliyyinw wa laa yushriku fee

hukmihee ahadaa

27. Watlu maaa oohiya ilaika min Kitaabi Rabbika laa mubaddila li Kalimaatihee wa

lan tajida min doonihee multahadaa

28. Wasbir nafsaka ma’al lazeena yad’oona Rabbahum bilghadaati wal’ashiyyi

yureedoona Wajhahoo wa laa ta’du ‘aynaaka ‘anhum tureedu zeenatal hayaatid dunyaa wa laa tuti’ man aghfalnaa qalbahoo ‘an zikrinaa wattaba’a hawaahu wa kaana amruhoo furutaa

29. Wa qulil haqqu mir Rabbikum faman shaaa’a falyu minw wa man shaaa’a falyakfur; innaaa a’tadnaa lizzaalimeena Naaran ahaata bihim suraadiquhaa; wa iny yastagheesoo yaghaasoo bimaaa’in kalmuhli yashwil wujooh’ bi’sash- sharaab; wa saaa’at murtafaqaa

30. Innal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati innaa laa nudee’u ajra man ahsana ‘amalaa

31. Ulaaa’ika lahum Jannaatu ‘Adnin tajree min tahtihimul anhaaru yuhallawna feehaa min asaawira min zahabinw wa yalbasoona siyaaban khudram min sundusinw wa istabraqim muttaki’eena feehaa ‘alal araaa’ik; ni’mas sawaab; wa hasunat murtafaqaa (section 4)

32. Wadrib lahum masalar rajulaini ja’alnaa li ahadihimaa jannataini min a’naabinw

wa hafafnaahumaa binakhilinw wa ja’alnaa bainahumaa zar’aa

33. Kiltal jannataini aatat ukulahaa wa lam tazlim minhu shai’anw wa fajjarnaa khi

laalahumaa naharaa

34. Wa kaana lahoo samarun faqaala lisaahibihee wa huwa yuhaawiruhoo ana

aksaru minka maalanw wa a’azzu nafaraa

35. Wa dakhala jannatahoo wa huwa zaalimul linafsihee qaala maaa azunnu an

tabeeda haaziheee abadaa

36. Wa maaa azunnus Saa’ata qaaa’imatanw wa la’ir rudittu ilaa Rabbee la

ajidanna khairam minhaa munqalabaa

37. Qaala lahoo saahibuhoo wa huwa yuhaawiruhooo akafarta billazee khalaqaka

min turaabin summa min nutfatin summa sawwaaka rajulaa

38. Laakinaa Huwal laahu Rabbee wa laa ushriku bi Rabbeee ahadaa

39. Wa law laaa iz dakhalta jannataka qulta maa shaaa’al laahu laa quwwata illaa

billaah; in tarani ana aqalla minka maalanw wa waladaa

40. Fa’asaa Rabeee any yu’tiyani khairam min jannatika wa yursila ‘alaihaa

husbaanam minas samaaa’i fatusbiha sa’eedan zalaqaa

41. Aw yusbiha maaa’uhaaa ghawran falan tastatee’a lahoo talabaa

42. Wa uheeta bisamarihee faasbaha yuqallibu kaffaihi ‘alaa maaa anfaqa feehaa

wa hiya khaawiyatun ‘alaa ‘urooshihaa wa yaqoolu yaalaitanee lam ushrik bi

Rabbeee ahadaa

43. Wa lam takul lahoo fi’atuny yansuroonahoo min doonil laahi wa maa kaana

muntasiraa

44. Hunaalikal walaayatu lillaahil haqq; huwa khairun sawaabanw wa khairun

‘uqbaa (section 5)

45. Wadrib lahum masalal hayaatid dunyaa kamaaa’in anzalnaahu minas samaaa’i

fakhtalata bihee nabaatul ardi fa asbaha hasheeman tazroo hur riyaah; wa

kaanal laahu ‘alaa kulli shai’im muqtadiraa

46. Almaalu walbanoona zeenatul hayaatid dunya wal baaqiyaatus saalihaatu

khairun ‘inda Rabbika sawaabanw wa khairun amalaa

47. Wa yawma nusaiyirul jibaala wa taral arda baariza tanw wa hasharnaahum

falam nughaadir minhum ahadaa

48. Wa ‘uridoo ‘alaa Rabbika saffaa, laqad ji’tumoonaa kamaa khalaqnaakum awala

marrah; bal za’amtum allannaj’ala lakum maw’idaa

49. Wa wudi’al kitaabu fataral mujrimeena mushfiqeena mimmaa feehi wa

yaqooloona yaa wailatanaa maa lihaazal kitaabi laa yughaadiru saghee ratanw wa laa kabeeratan illaaa ahsaahaa; wa wajadoo maa ‘amiloo haadiraa; wa laa yazlimu Rabbuka ahadaa (Section 6)

50. Wa iz qulnaa lilma laaa’ikatis judoo li Aadama fasajadooo illaaa Ibleesa kaana minal jinni fafasaqa ‘an amri Rabbih; afatattakhizoonahoo wa zurriyatahooo awliyaaa’a min doonee wa hum lakum ‘aduww; bi’sa lizzaalimeena badalaa

51. Maaa ash hattuhum khalqas samaawaati wal ardi wa laa khalqa anfusihim wa maa kuntu muttakizal mudilleena ‘adudaa

52. Wa Yawma yaqoolu naadoo shurakaaa’i yal lazeena za’amtum fada’awhum falam yastajeeboo lahum wa ja’alnaa bainahum maw biqaa

53. Wa ra al mujrimoonan Naara fazannooo annahum muwaaqi’oohaa wa lam yajidoo ‘anhaa masrifaa (section 7)

54. Wa laqad sarrafnaa fee haazal quraani linnaasi mn kulli masal; wa kaanal insaanu aksara shai’in jadalaa

55. Wa maa mana’an naasa any yu’minooo iz jaaa’ahumul hudaa wa yastaghfiroo Rabbahum illaaa an taatiyahum sunnatul awwaleena aw yaatiyahumul ‘azaabu qubulaa

56. Wa maa nursilul mursaleena illaa mubashshireena wa munzireen; wa yujaadilul lazeena kafaroo bilbaatili liyudhidoo bihil haqqa wattakhazooo Aayaatee wa maaa unziroo huzuwaa

57. Wa man azlamu mimman zukkira bi ayaati Rabbihee fa-a’rada ‘anhaa wa nasiya maa qaddamat yadaah; innaa ja’alnaa ‘alaa quloobihim akinnatan any yafqahoohu wa feee aazaanihim waqraa; wa in tad’uhum ilal hudaa falany yahtadooo izan abadaa

58. Wa Rabbukal Ghafooru zur rahmati law yu’aakhi zuhum bimaa kasaboo la’ajala lahumul ‘azaab; bal lahum maw’idul lany yajidoo min doonihee maw’ilaa

59. Wa tkal quraaa ahlak nahum lammaa zulamoo wa ja’alnaa limahlikihim maw’idaa (section 8)

60. Wa iz qaalaa Moosaa lifataahu laaa abrahu hattaaa ablugha majma’al bahrayni aw amdiya huqubaa

61. Falammaa balaghaa majma’a bainihimaa nasiyaa hootahumaa fattakhaza sabeelahoo fil bahri sarabaa

62. Falammaa jaawazaa qaala lifataahu aatinaa ghadaaa’anaa laqad laqeena min safarinaa haazaa nasabaa

63. Qaala ara’ayta iz awainaaa ilas sakhrati fa innee naseetul hoota wa maaa ansaaneehu illash Shaitaanu an azkurah; wattakhaza sabeelahoo fil bahri’ajabaa

64. Qaala zaalika maa kunnaa nabgh; fartaddaa ‘alaa aasaari him maa qasasaa

65. Fa wajadaa ‘abdam min ‘ibaadinaaa aatainaahu Rahmatam min ‘indinaa wa

‘allamnaahu mil ladunnaa ‘ilmaa

66. Qaala lahoo Moosaa hal attabi’uka ‘alaaa an tu’allimani mimmaa ‘ullimta

rushdaa

67. Qaalaa innaka lan tastatee’a ma’iya sabraa

68. Wa kaifa tasbiru ‘alaa maa lam tuhit bihee khubraa

69. Qaala satajiduneee in shaa ‘al laahu saabiranw wa laaa a’see laka amraa

70. Qaala fa init taba’tanee falaa tas’alnee ‘an shai’in hattaaa uhdisa laka minhu

zikraa (section 9)

71. Fantalaqaa hattaaa izaa rakibaa fis safeenati kharaqahaa qaala akharaqtahaa

litughriqa ahlahaa laqad ji’ta shai’an imraa

72. Qaala alam aqul innaka lan tastatee’a ma’iya sabraa

73. Qaala laa tu’aakhiznee bimaa naseetu wa laa turhiqnee min amree ‘usraa

74. Fantalaqaa hattaa izaa laqiyaa ghulaaman faqatalahoo qaala aqatalta nafsan zakiy yatam bighairi nafs; laqad ji’ta shai’an nukraa (End Juz 15)

75. Qaala alam aqul laka innaka lan tastatee’a ma’iya sabraa

76. Qaala in sa altuka ‘an shai’im ba’dahaa falaa tusaahibnee qad balaghta mil

ladunnee ‘uzraa

77. Fantalaqaa hattaaa izaaa atayaaa ahla qaryatinis tat’amaaa ahlahaa fa abaw

any yudaiyifoohumaa fawajadaa feehaa jidaarany yureedu any yanqadda fa

aqaamah; qaala law shi’ta lattakhazta ‘alaihi ajraa

78. Qaala haazaa firaaqu bainee wa bainik; sa unabi ‘uka bitaaweeli maa lam

tastati’ ‘alaihi sabraa

79. Ammas safeenatu fakaanat limasaakeena ya’maloona fil bahri fa arattu an

a’eebahaa wa kaana waraaa’ ahum malikuny yaakhuzu kulla safeenatin

ghasbaa

80. Wa aammal ghulaamu fakaana abawaahu mu’minaini fakhasheenaaa any

yurhiqa humaa tughyaananw wa kufraa

81. Faradnaa any yubdila humaa Rabbuhumaa khairam minhu zakaatanw wa

aqraba ruhmaa

82. Wa ammal jidaaru fakaana lighulaamaini yateemaini fil madeenati wa kaana

tahtahoo kanzul lahumaa wa kaana aboohumaa saalihan fa araada Rabbuka any yablughaaa ashuddahumaa wa yastakhrijaa kanzahumaa rahmatam mir Rabbik; wa maa fa’altuhoo ‘an amree; zaalika taaweelu maa lam tasti’ ‘alaihi sabra (Section 10)

83. Wa yas’aloonaka ‘an Zil Qarnaini qul sa atloo ‘alaikum minhu zikraa

84. Innaa makkannaa lahoo fil ardi wa aatainaahu min kulli shai’in sababaa

85. Fa atba’a sababaa

86. Hattaaa izaa balagha maghribash shamsi wajadahaaa taghrubu fee ‘aynin

hami’a tinw wa wajada ‘indahaa qawmaa; qulnaa yaa Zal Qarnaini immaaa an

tu’az ziba wa immaaa an tattakhiza feehim husnaa

87. Qaala amaa man zalama fasawfa nu’azzibuhoo summa yuraddu ilaa Rabbihee

fa yu ‘azzibuhoo azaaban nukraa

88. Wa ammaa man aamana wa ‘amila saalihan falahoo jazaaa’anil husnaa wa

sanaqoolu lahoo min amrinaa yusraa

89. Summa atba’a sababaa

90. Hattaaa izaa balagha matli’ash shamsi wajdahaa tatlu’u alaa qawmil lam naj’al

lahum min doonihaa sitraa

91. Kazaalika wa qad ahatnaa bimaa ladaihi khubraa

92. Summa atba’a sababaa

93. Hattaaa izaa balagha bainas saddaini wajada min doonihimaa qawmal laa

yakaa doona yafqahoona qawlaa

94. Qaaloo yaa Zal qarnaini inna Yaajooja wa Maajooja mufsidoona fil ardi fahal

naj’alu laka kharjan ‘alaaa an taj’ala bainanaa wa bainahum saddas

95. Qaala maa makkannee feehi Rabbee khairun fa-a’eenoonee biquwwatin aj’al

bainakum wa bainahum radmaa

96. Aatoonee zubaral hadeed, hattaaa izaa saawaa bainas sadafaini qaalan fukhoo

hattaaa izaa ja’alahoo naaran qaala aatooneee ufrigh ‘alaihi qitraa

97. Famas taa’ooo any yazharoohu wa mastataa’oo lahoo naqbaa

98. Qaala haaza rahmatummir Rabbee fa izaa jaaa’a wa’du Rabbee ja’alahoo

dakkaaa’a; wa kaana; wa du Rabbee haqqaa

99. Wa taraknaa ba’dahum Yawma’iziny yamooju fee ba’dinw wa nufikha fis Soori

fajama’naahum jam’aa

100. Wa ‘aradnaa jahannama Yawma’izil lilkaafireena ‘ardaa

101. Allazeena kaanat a’yunuhum fee ghitaaa’in ‘an zikree wa kaanoo la

yastatee’oona sam’aa (section 11)

102. Afahasibal lazeena kafarooo any yattakhizoo ‘ibaadee min dooneee awliyaaa’;

innaaa a’tadnaa jahannama lilkaafi reena nuzulaa

103. Qul hal nunabbi’ukum bilakhsareena a’maalaa

104. Allazeena dalla sa’yuhum fil hayaatid dunyaa wa hum yahsaboona annahum

yuhsinoona sun’aa

105. Ulaaa’ikal lazeena kafaroo bi aayaati Rabbihim wa liqaaa’ihee fahabitat

a’maaluhum falaa nuqeemu lahum Yawmal Qiyaamati waznaa

106. Zaalika jazaaa’uhum jahannamu bimaa kafaroo wattakhazooo Aayaatee wa

Rusulee huzuwaa

107. Innal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati kaanat lahum Jannaatul Firdawsi

nuzulaa

108. Khaalideena feeha la yabghoona ‘anhaa hiwalaa

109. Qul law kaanal bahru midaadal lik Kalimaati Rabbee lanafidal bahru qabla an

tanfada Kalimaatu Rabbee wa law ji’naa bimislihee madadaa

110. Qul innamaaa ana basharum mislukum yoohaaa ilaiya annamaa ilaahukum

Ilaahunw Waahid; faman kaana yarjoo liqaaa’a Rabbihee falya’mal ‘amalan saalihanw wa laa yushrik bi’ibaadati Rabbiheee ahadaa (section 12)

The international youth day 2020 is here, it’s time for us the youths to sit down and analyze our role in the ever changing world that we live in. The #COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge to humanity but it has come with opportunities which we the youths can capitalize on.

The access to education and gaining the prerequisite skills to survive in the labor market and busies world is very important for youths who will be faced by issues of employment and capital to establish business is very important

Over the last few years, youths have been involved in politics and we see many youths in governance today. What are these few doing to help the large number of youths who strive to join politics and make a career in leadership. There is a famous saying that “leaders are born” and also there is the notion “Leaders can be made” through mentorship and training.

This is an opportunity for youths to plan their future, beginning from today, 12th August 2020, on the occasion of the International Youth Day.

ROLE OF YOUTHS IN FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is real, if we don’t take a collective action to stop the effects of climate change then the world as we know it will become a past. Rising temperature and sea level, desert encroachment, floods, tsunamis and breaking of the iceberg will continue to increase. The United Nations have come up with several initiative such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction to mitigate the effects of global warming, through collaboration between the government, civil society organization and businesses to agree a target for the reduction of green house emission.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals set by the United Nations (UN) for individual and collective goals at all levels as part of one entity, our global planter. The unprecedented scope of the SDGs increased the number of goals for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The SDG is fully inclusive, setting responsibilities for the entire world rather than a specific audience. Increase scope for the international community to support the less developed ones by having a number of 169 specific targets.

The then Secretary General of UN, Ban Ki- Moon emphases on “Leave no one behind” as the main dictum for the SDGs. The SDG is not only about powerful companies, governments or influential people only. The precept is about the power of each individual, as each individual is expected to support the other. For SDG to be successful, inclusion becomes important. Without inclusion for all humans and social entities at al level, the empowerment of all individuals become impossible.

The 2030 agenda is comprehensive in understanding that developmental challenges are globally connected, and global warming and climate crisis are not confined to some geographical areas. Through climate action and commitment to find solution to ecological and environmental challenges, we hope to help in the conservation of planet earth.

The 5ps of SDG namely PEOPLE, PLANET, PROSPERITY, PEACE & PARTNERSHIPS are the cornerstone of achieving the global goals by year 2030. The People related goals look to ensuring basic sustenance, no poverty, zero hunger, health, wellbeing, education, gender inequality and girl child. The Goals that has to do with the Planet focus on challenges our planet is facing and trying to save our planet by international community and how our future depends on transforming our approach to responding to climate change. The SDG did not disregard the importance of economic development. In order for the world to live in peace & prosperity, the economic development that can attain prosperity is the requisite condition for all people. The SDG understands the importance of sustainability side to economic development. Energy sources and utilisation is indispensable for achieving the SDGs by 2030. With one armed conflict, terrorism, and other forms of instability ragging in some part of the world, the SDG focus on how the international community must come together to promote and protect peace around the world, not with military actions but preferably through strong institutions of justice. Partnership for the goal (Goal 17) which is very important in all the 17 goals involved all the entities in the international community.

The National Executives of NABAPPMAN paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment to discuss the activities of the association. The National President, HRM Igwe Ambassador (Dr) Ezedioramma M.C. Aniagu (JP), ably represented at the occasion by the National Treasurer of the Association, Dr. Anthony Nwafor.

A three years work plan was presented to the Ministry, which highlighted the the need for data capture of Bambara nuts farmers and different varieties across the 6 geopolitical zones, the need to strengthen State Chapters of this association in order to expand across the grassroots in the whole country, formulate an effective sensitisation plan which includes both the social and conventional media, the need to establish links with relevant Federal & State Ministries to assist State Chapters and to tap into the resources of donor agencies such as the UN World Food Programme in order to have access to improved varieties of seeds and funding to strengthen Bambara nut farmers across Nigeria due to its high demand internationally.

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It was decided at the meeting that a 6 man committee will be formed in order to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment to plan for the Inauguration of the Association across Nigeria and also to look into establishing a timeline for the work plan. The need to promote the Bambara nut through the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) was also emphasised and the need to identify barriers to entry into this fledging commodity business and also the need for market research in this area.

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