Dr.Salisu Ogbo Usman(middle), receiving the award while others looked with rapt attention.
… HOLDS SECOND PRE-RAMADAN PUBLIC LECTURE.
By correspondent in Lokoja.
The Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, north central Nigeria,Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has again been conferred with Exemplary Leadership Award as a Muslim Ambassador in Public Service in recognition of his tremendous efforts towards the upliftment of Islam in the Polytechnic and beyond.
This is contained in a release signed by Uredo Omale
Director,Directorates of Public Relations and Protocol,
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja in Lokoja and made available a copy to The Reporters.
The award was presented to him at the 2nd Edition of the Pre– Ramadan Public Lecture organised by Polytechnic Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme held at the Hall ‘A ‘ Main Campus, Lokoja, Kogi State on Tuesday 5th March, 2024.
The Pre-Ramadan Public lecture was delivered by Associate Professor. Adam Muhammad Sani (Hadith) under the theme: “Preserving The Gains And Lessons of The Blessed Month of Ramadan.”
The President of the Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme, Arc. Isah O. Suleiman, noted that Dr. Usman was also recognised for his unwavering commitment and dedication to promoting Islamic values of tolerance, peace, and coexistence.
He commended Dr. Usman’s immense contribution and dedication in transforming the Polytechnic and for creatively managing the religious and ethnic diversities of the Polytechnic Community.
In his words, “We are particularly very grateful on the creative approach adopted in resolving the lingering sectarian crises among the Muslim students and the renovation of the Polytechnic Masjid.
“The condition of the Masjid before your intervention was not only an eyesore but an embarrassment to the entire Muslim Community. We shall forever be grateful for this service to Allah.
“It is in appreciation of these contributions and supports for Islam and the Muslim Community at large that we have decided to present this token of award to you.
“We ask Allah to reward your efforts and make Jannah our final abode,” he added
Shaykh Dr. Adam Muhammad Sanni, who was the Guest Lecturer at the event emphasised the need for all Muslims to be abreast of the Holy month of Ramadan.
Dr. Sanni whose lecture was on “Preserving the Gains and Lessons of the Blessed Month of Ramadan” noted that any act of worship in the month would attract multiple rewards which has made it important for Muslim Ummah to strife for more good deeds in the sacred month.
He also advised that all the acts of worship practiced during the fasting period must be sustained after the month of Ramadan so as to strengthen individual’s faith in God Almighty to benefit more in the hereafter.
The Chairman of the occasion Professor Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, Vice chancellor Confluence University of Science Technology, Osara, ably represented by Alhaji Muhammad Baba Sadiq appreciated the Rector and applauded the leadership of Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme for initiating and sustaining the pre–Ramadan lecture series.
Alhaji Sadiq while commending the organisers of the programme charged members of the Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme to embrace one another and be impactful before, during and after the Ramadan whilst exemplifying the virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Earlier, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic who doubled as the Chief Host lauded the dedication of the Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme towards serving God and the Polytechnic community with zero interest rate through its cooperative society.
In his words, “I have always enjoyed attending events where the focus is on spiritual growth and the promotion of Islamic values, and that the Muslim Staff Welfare Scheme has been a shining example of this.”
He expressed his gratitude for being recognised with the award, just as he urged members to follow the scheme’s example of service and faith.
Dr. Usman, who also shared some words of wisdom with the audience, encouraged everyone to be kind, humble, and honest in their dealings with others, and to make serving God and humanity their top priority.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving the Muslim Community at the Polytechnic as well as ensuring that the institution mosque receives necessary support for its beautification that would not only be a source of pride for the community, but would also be a beacon of inspiration and guidance to the Muslim Ummah.
Delivering their goodwill messages in turns, the Polytechnic Librarian, Mrs. O.O.M Audu; Director of Works and Services, Engr. Abdullahi Adamu Ayni; Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Engr. Abdulaziz Adavi and the representative of Jaiz Bank, Mall Yusuf Muhammad Yahaya, expressed appreciations to the leadership of the Scheme for their untiring selflessness as well as upholding Islamic values.
The event was attended by staff of the Polytechnic community, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Kogi State Polytechnic Chapter, amongst others.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
