Muslim Parents Urged To Prioritize Western Education For Children’s Future Success (+photos)

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED

ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – Muslim parents have been strongly urged to take the formal education of their children more seriously to ensure a brighter and more impactful future for the next generation.

This call was made by Alhaji T.A. Akinwande, a retired senior civil servant and newly installed Wakeel Adeen of Ilaro Central Mosque, during his lecture at the 2025 (1447 A.H.) Annual Maolud Nabiyyi celebration held at the Ilaro Central Mosque, Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State, on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

Delivering a lecture titled, “Why Are We Backward in Nearly Everything – Lessons for the Youth,” Alhaji Akinwande lamented that many Muslim parents across Nigeria do not place sufficient importance on Western education, which he identified as a major factor limiting Muslim representation in strategic positions across the nation.

“It is disheartening to observe that many brilliant Muslim youths have been denied the opportunity of Western education. This, in turn, has kept them away from influential roles in society – roles largely determined by formal education in a country like ours, shaped by British colonial legacy”, he said.

While acknowledging the value of Islamic education, Alhaji Akinwande emphasized that Western education is equally essential in today’s world.

“I am not opposed to Qur’anic studies”, he clarified, “but our children must also acquire Western education if they are to compete and thrive alongside their peers from other religious backgrounds.”

He described Muslim children as naturally gifted and intelligent, but stressed the need for formal education to unlock their full potential for personal advancement and contribution to humanity.

Although he acknowledged that education alone does not guarantee success in life, he noted that experience has consistently shown that quality education significantly enhanced one’s chances of achieving greatness.

“Parents must learn to prioritize their children’s education over all other secondary matters. A parent who neglects this responsibility risks missing out on the benefits that an educated child can bring”, Akinwande stated.

He also advised Muslim youths to view education as a powerful legacy that can light their path toward greatness.

Akinwande urged them to take Western education seriously and use it to better themselves and their communities.

Expressing concern over the rise in immoral behaviour among some Muslim youths, Akinwande urged them to shun criminal activities and instead become exemplary ambassadors – not only for their families, but also as true representatives of Islam.

“Those involved in crime must understand that every human being will be held accountable for their actions. Some people will even begin to face the consequences of their deeds while still alive, before the Day of Judgment”, he warned.

As a former Senior Director at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Alhaji Akinwande also encouraged young people to acquire vocational skills in addition to formal education.

“Many developed nations now value professionals skilled in trades. With the advent of emerging technologies, vocational training has become a gateway to economic empowerment. I strongly recommend that our youth learn a trade either while in school or afterward”, he advised.

The Ilaro Centre Mosque 2025 Maolud Nabiyyi celebration was led by Imam (Sheikh) Tajudeen Mustapha-Adewunmi, Chief Imam of Ilaro Central Mosque and Secretary of the Ogun State League of Imams and Alfas.

The programme also featured recitations from the Holy Qur’an and Dalailu Khaerat, as well as Salat (prayers) in honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Special prayers were also offered for Nigeria and its leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; and His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland.

Other prominent individuals remembered in the prayers included Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), Alhaji (Chief) Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun and his Inumidun Group, Rector Mikhal Akinde of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; Rector Biodun Oluseye of ICT, Igbesa; and the Iyaloja of Sayedero Market along with market men and women.

Prayers also extended to sons and daughters of Ilaro, Yewa, Ogun State, and Nigeria as a whole.

The event, which drew a large congregation of Muslim faithful from within and beyond Ilaro-Yewa, also featured the formal turbaning of Alhaji T.A. Akinwande as the Wakeel Adeen of the Ilaro Central Mosque.

The honour was bestowed in recognition of his unwavering commitment and valuable contributions to the propagation of Islam in the community.

The programme was skillfully anchored by Alhaji Idris Adebayo Abdullah (Ola Afin Imo), the Chief Imam of Itolu Central Mosque, Itolu, Ilaro, supported by Ustaz Soliudeen Babatunde Ogunremi Solaha, MD, Baa Se Baye Media, and presenter on Poly FM Ilaro, much to the admiration of all guests in attendance.