FOMWAN, rebrands youths at southwest zonal conference
From the just-concluded Southwest Youth Conference held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has taken bold steps to reshape mindsets and inspire fresh perspectives among young people, unveiling a renewed vision aimed at empowering and rebranding youths across the region.
The camp, themed “Empowered Voices, Greener Choices”, brings together young Muslim participants from across the Southwest to explore leadership, civic responsibility, climate consciousness, digital conduct, and faith-based growth.
The four days conference held at the Khadob college along Akure Owo express road in Oba-ile , Akure north li mm mmcal government area features activities ranging from excursion, lectures, quize competition, Quran recitations, games aming several others.
At the Public service training Institute (PSTI) the Director of ICT, Mrs. Mmuoneke Joyceline took the youths through computer training, accessories and their uses and it’s contribution to technological development
The youths went on an excursion visiting the Ondo state Radio vision corporation OSRC media group which houses two radio stations, the Alalaye and the Orange FM, they also visited the Ondo state house of assembly and the state newspaper The Hope .
Several lectures were presented, led by the Keynote speaker, Barrister Olamide Muhammed, who charged participants to embrace responsible choices that support personal advancement and environmental sustainability.
The The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), used the occasion to Warn Ondo Youths Against Drug Experimentation which she observed is on alarming rate
Speaking during a sensitisation session, of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit Mrs Yemisi Balogun , emphasised that drug use has severe physical, psychological, and social consequences.
She urged young people in the state to steer clear of experimenting with drugs, warning that substance abuse destroys ambition and hinders life goals.
“No youth, adult or child who experiments with drugs will be able to achieve their life goals. Drugs derail dreams and limit potential,” she said. “Some people idolise musicians or celebrities without knowing many of them undergo rehabilitation abroad. If we want to achieve our God-given potential, we must stay away from drugs.”
Citing the 2019 national drug use survey, Balogun disclosed that 14.4 million Nigerians were abusing drugs at the time, adding that the current figure is likely much higher and “alarming.”
She identified cannabis sativa as the most prevalent illicit substance in Ondo State due to the fertile land, alongside “monkey tail” and “skushies”—a dangerous cocktail sometimes mistaken for the harmless local drink, zobo.
According to her, many farmers grow cannabis without understanding its harmful effects, focusing only on its economic benefits. She called for stronger collaboration between the NDLEA and the Ondo State Government to expand sensitisation campaigns into rural communities.
Balogun also advised parents to be vigilant for signs of drug use in their children, including reddened eyes, darkened lips, sudden rudeness, aggression, and changes in social circles. She urged families to monitor their children closely and intervene early to prevent addiction from taking root.
“Parents should sometimes enter their children’s rooms unexpectedly, know their friends, and act quickly when they suspect changes in behaviour,” she stressed.
The NDLEA maintains that with community involvement, government support, and sustained awareness, the rising tide of drug abuse in Ondo State can be curbed.
An Islamic scholar, Dr. Tokunbo Abdulsalam of the Islamic Relocation Trust, Dawah Institute of Nigeria, has advised youths to be deliberate and prayerful in choosing life partners, warning that wrong choices could lead to lifelong pain and frustration.
Abdusalam, who spoke on “Game of Love” called on the Youths to Choose Life Partners Carefully, Calls for Modern Parenting Approach
Dr. Abdulsalam stressed that successful relationships begin with self-awareness.
“You must know who you are, what you want, and how you want your marriage to work out. Life is a journey, and you cannot travel it successfully if you are in the wrong vehicle with the wrong person,” he said.
He urged participants to look for partners who share the same vision and mission in life, adding that careful, tactical, and prayerful selection is crucial for a happy marriage.
He also expressed concern over the emotional struggles faced by many young women, noting that they often lack trusted confidants.
“Some of the young ladies bombarded me with personal issues after my session. One even said, ‘Our parents are not helping us.’ Parents must rethink their approach to parenting,” he stated.
He called on parents to update their parenting skills to suit the realities of the Gen Z generation, warning that outdated methods no longer work.
“Parenting strategies have changed drastically. Using old methods for today’s youth will only lead to chaos and conflict. Parents need to master modern approaches to raise balanced children in the 21st century,” he said.
The cleric urged FOMWAN to prioritise regular, intentional seminars for both youths and parents on relationship building and modern parenting techniques at all organisational levels.
“FOMWAN should make it a constant, professional effort, not a one-off event. The future of our young people depends on it,” he concluded.
In the same vain, the Ondo state Chairman of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO)
He Urged the Youth to Harness Opportunities in Climate Challenges tasking them to take the lead in addressing
in addressing climate change by transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
Transforming Challenges to Opportunities” at the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Zonal Youth Camp in Akure, Ogunmola stressed the urgency of equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to combat the climate crisis.
“It is high time we equipped our youth and future generations to understand the realities of climate change, the effects of greenhouse gases, and how to mitigate and adapt to its impacts,” he said.
“We must also help them develop critical thinking, advocacy, and research skills to address the situation, while encouraging partnerships and networking to find lasting solutions.”
Ogunmola identified sustainable development as a key focus, urging participants to explore opportunities within climate challenges such as tree planting, digital innovation for climate solutions, and research on carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere.
He acknowledged that bureaucracy in Nigeria and Africa has often slowed environmental action but encouraged persistence in advocacy. “If the government does not respond the first time, try again and again. Display your solutions and positive attitude until they see results,” he advised.
Commending FOMWAN youths for their commitment and responsiveness during the session, Ogunmola expressed confidence in their ability to tackle national challenges.
In his closing remarks, he appealed to government, private sectors, NGOs, and communities to intensify sensitization on climate change, adopt sustainable living practices, and integrate environmental studies into school curricula. He also urged responsible waste management and prioritization of climate projects in government spending.
“Buy what you can consume, avoid littering, manage your waste responsibly, and support environmental solutions,” he said. “Climate change is our shared responsibility.”
A community mobiliser officer with the Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood (ROTDOW), Mrs Belikiz Yussuf has called for increased awareness on the dangers of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), describing it as one of the leading causes of maternal deaths globally.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme, Yussuf explained that her presentation focused on preventive measures against PPH and the role of young people in spreading awareness within their communities. She stressed that postpartum hemorrhage is highly fatal because it often occurs without warning signs until complications set in during or after delivery.
According to her, prevention involves the use of specific drugs, injections, and equipment such as calibrated drips, tranexamic acid, and other lifesaving interventions during childbirth. She noted that many young people, especially students, lack knowledge of the risks associated with pregnancy and delivery, hence the need to expose them early to maternal health issues.
“This programme is an eye-opener for the youth to understand what goes on in a woman’s body during childbirth. They should also advocate for pregnant women to attend health centres and not stigmatise their peers who find themselves in such situations,” Yussuf said.
She lamented that many deaths result from deliveries handled by traditional birth attendants and faith-based clinics, where facilities and expertise are inadequate. By the time patients are referred to hospitals, she said, it is often too late to save their lives.
Yussuf added that postpartum hemorrhage could occur both after caesarean sections and normal deliveries, particularly when the placenta is not completely removed or when blood vessels fail to contract properly after childbirth.
While citing statistics, she said global maternal health reports estimate that 10 women in every 100,000 live births die from complications related to PPH, accounting for about 35 per cent of maternal deaths worldwide.
She urged women to take responsibility for their health by attending antenatal care regularly, undergoing medical checks, and seeking professional care from recognised health facilities during pregnancy and delivery.
“We only have one life. Women must prioritise their health by going for regular check-ups, attending antenatal clinics from the moment pregnancy is confirmed, and never ignoring signs like prolonged bleeding or dizziness after childbirth,” she advised.
Yussuf emphasised that young people, once equipped with this knowledge, could serve as advocates within their families and communities, helping to break cultural barriers and prevent avoidable maternal deaths.
Speaking at the event, the chief Imam of Akure kingdom, , Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi- Akorede Commended FOMWAN’s Commitment to Youth Development, Saying that moral, spiritual and intellectual investment is priceless
Akorede, hailed the FOMWAN for its unwavering investment in the moral, spiritual, and intellectual development of Muslim youths in the Southwest.
He described the initiative as a “timely and strategic intervention” for a generation in need of strong guidance rooted in knowledge and values.
Akorede lauded FOMWAN’s foresight in creating a platform that not only builds intellectual capacity but also reinforces spiritual grounding and moral discipline, noting that these pillars are essential for nation-building.
“We appreciate the efforts of FOMWAN and commend the wisdom behind organising this camp,” he said. “Our prayer is that Allah continues to guide our youths and bless the leadership of this noble organisation.”
He further acknowledged the Ondo State Government for sustaining a peaceful and enabling environment for faith-based organisations to thrive and contribute meaningfully to youth and community development.
Earlier, the Ondo State Ameerah of FOMWAN, Alhaja Medinat Omikunle, had urged the youths to seize the opportunity to learn, grow, and network with peers who share their values.
As the week-long camp unfolds through lectures, workshops, and group engagements, Akorede’s words continue to resonate , underscoring FOMWAN’s role in raising a generation of morally upright, spiritually conscious, and intellectually empowered leaders for the future.
Participants came from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun ,Ekiti, Ondo and Kwara state respectively.
