FOMWAN Charges Muslim Women Leaders on Integrity, Unity and submissiveness
By Khadijat Salaudeen-Okoro
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has called on Muslim women leaders to be respectful and submissive to their husbands as they ascend leadership positions.
Members of the Ondo State Board of Advisers (BOA) gave the advice during their respective presentations yesterday at a leadership training programme organised for prospective executives who will lead the Ileoluji/Okeigbo local government area for the next four years.
Speaking at the training, a BOA member and State Chairperson of the Humanitarian and Community Development Committee, Alhaja Rafat Momoh, spoke on personal conduct and the management of the home.
She stated that those who attain leadership positions should maintain integrity and faithfulness, and be stronger in order to face and overcome forthcoming challenges, noting in particular the need to show greater love and submissiveness to their husbands.
Another BOA member, Alhaja Faoziat Ali, advised members to work in unity, transparency, accountability and honesty, to respect hierarchy, and to avoid any form of crisis that could cause disarray within the association.
The Grand Amirah and Deputy National Coordinator, South West II, Alhaja Idayat Jimoh, took members through the meaning and history of FOMWAN, as well as its thematic areas, which include health, advocacy, dawah, humanitarian and community development, education, and others.
Alhaja Aminat Akinpelumi, who spoke on the technical aspects of the association, urged members not to introduce the operational styles of their individual associations, which differ from the FOMWAN constitution.
FOMWAN remains an umbrella body of all Muslim women’s associations. It supports the government of the day but is not a political organisation.
While offering the closing prayer, Alhaja Hamdalat Abdulsalam encouraged local government chapters to establish Qur’anic schools to further educate members in Arabic studies, and advised prospective executive members to purify their intentions for a successful tenure.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the State Amirah, Alhaja Medinat Omikunle, said the training was important in educating members about the association, as well as their executive roles and responsibilities.
Reaffirming that FOMWAN is the umbrella body of Muslim women’s associations, Omikunle stated that the organisation has principled aims, objectives, mission and vision, which have made it a formidable association.
