Fawaz Adebisi
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Ogun State chapter, has celebrated its 40th anniversary as well as the 2026 International Women’s Day with a ceremony that featured the commissioning of a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Lodge.
The event, held on Sunday at the organisation’s Secretariat, No. 1 FOMWAN Street, Leme, Abeokuta, was organised in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Featuring Ramadan Lecture, the event was themed; “Women’s Justice, Action for All Women and Girls.”
In her opening speech, the Ogun State Amirah of FOMWAN, Alhaja Zainab Jinadu, expressed concern over rising cases of rape, child labour, child abuse, human trafficking and domestic violence against women, calling for united and concrete action beyond conferences and workshops.
“We have attended conferences, we have held workshops. We have discussed solutions. Now is the time for stronger implementation and united action,” she said, stressing the need for collective responsibility in protecting women and girls at home, in the workplace and across society.
Alhaja Jinadu also emphasised the importance of education, healthcare access and legal support for women, and charged women’s groups to boldly confront barriers including discriminatory laws, weak legal protections and harmful cultural practices.
She also listed several programmes and projects successfully executed by her administration since July 31, 2022, which earned the State chapter a National Award on Humanitarian and Community Service in August 2025.
Delivering the lecture, Alhaja Rasheedah Ibrahim, a Deputy Director at the Medical Laboratory Science Department of the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, drew a clear distinction between the global push for feminism and what she described as the more fitting Islamic framework of justice.
“The society is talking about feminism; we are talking about injustice,” Alhaja Ibraheem said, stressing that Islam, properly understood and applied, was designed to elevate and protect women at every stage of their lives.
She urged women to pursue knowledge, seek financial independence through halal means, prioritise their health and invest in the upbringing of their children through both formal and Islamic education.
Giving hus blessings, the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Sadulahi Bamgbola, lauded FOMWAN members for upholding Islamic teachings in their roles as women and mothers.
Therefore, he announced a donation of N50,000 on behalf of the Ogun State League of Imams and Alfas towards the physical transformation of the State Secretariat.
The event was attended by dignitaries including royal father Alayeluwa Oba Prof Saka Adelola Matemilola and Alhaja Salmot Badru, the Iya Adeen of Ogun State.
The NYSC Lodge, constructed in honour of the late Prince Abdul Jabbar Ajibola, was commissioned by Prince Maruf Adesegun Ajibola, represented by Alhaji Aweda, alongside the Grand Caliph of Tijaniyyah in Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Mohammed Salisu Alao Adenekan, who performed the cutting of the tape at the main entrance of the building.
A total of 22 individuals were honoured with awards of excellence for their commitment to the propagation of Islam and selfless service to humanity. The awardees included Hadjia Tawakalitu Abolanle Kazeem, Alhaja B.A. Ogunbayo, Alhaja Kudirat Azeez, Hajia Jemilah Lawal, Alhaji Fatai Adedamola, Alhaja Hawawu Abeke Adeleke, Hajia Ganiyat Oluyemisi Sanni, Alhaja Hafsat Adekunle, Alhaji Salami Adedokun Kabir, Alhaji Taoheed Olabanji Oladunni, Alhaja Tawakalitu Amope Sowunmi, Alhaja Kudirat Omolara Soyoye, Alhaji Taofeek Idowu Somuyiwa and Alhaja Hafsat Ajoke Adekunle.
Others who received the award of excellence included Alhaja Mujidat Osisanya, Alhaji Taofeek Adebare Shaibu, the family of the late Alhaja Risikat Odekunle, Alhaja Ramota Atinuke Lasisi, Alhaja (Chief) Surura Oyero, Alhaji Agbaje Monsur, Alhaja (Engr) Monsurat Agboola and Mrs Olanike Afusat Lawal.
Meanwhile, the FOMWAN has been urged to embrace Islamic principles rather than feminism in addressing the challenges confronting Muslim women.
The event, which featured a lecture and empowerment programme, was organised in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at the FOMWAN House, Leme, Abeokuta, to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day.
Speaking at the event, the guest lecturer, former Ameerah of Dawah Front Ummu Forum, Abeokuta, Alhaja Ibraheem Rasheedah, said global discourse on women’s rights had been largely dominated by feminism, stressing that Islamic justice provided a more suitable framework for addressing the plight of Muslim women.
According to her, Islam, when properly understood and practised, offers a system that protects and uplifts women at different stages of life.
“The society is talking about feminism; we are talking about injustice,” she said.
Mrs Ibrahim identified discrimination in workplaces due to the use of hijab, poverty, social neglect and health challenges as some of the major issues affecting Muslim women.
She noted that women also endure various physiological and emotional burdens throughout their lives, ranging from menstrual pains to childbirth and menopause.
The lecturer therefore urged Muslim women to prioritise education, describing ignorance as one of the greatest threats to women’s dignity and development.
“A lady must be ready to stand up and struggle to fight against ignorance. Knowledge is light,” she said, adding that knowledge must be accurate, complete and properly applied.
She also encouraged women to pursue financial independence through halal means, warning that poverty often exposes women to exploitation and limits their ability to make independent decisions.
Mrs Ibrahim further advised women to pay attention to their health by undergoing regular medical check-ups and building strong support networks among themselves.
She also urged Muslim women to strengthen their spiritual connection with Allah and avoid relying on intermediaries in their religious devotion.
The lecturer equally charged mothers to invest in the upbringing of their children by enrolling them in both Western and Islamic schools, noting that balanced education was essential for the moral and intellectual development of future generations.
The anniversary programme was held under the theme, “Empowering Muslim Women in Embracing Resilience and Sustainable Community Development in the Face of Climate Change.”
As part of the celebration, FOMWAN commissioned a newly constructed lodge for members of the National Youth Service Corps serving with the organisation.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Sa’adullah Bamgbola; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; and the Iya Adeen of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru, among others.
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