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The Amir of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) branch, Kamoru Sodiq, in this interview with our correspondent, Sodiq Lawal, speaks about his biggest challenge as the leader of MSSN OAU.
Excerpt:
Can you please introduce yourself?
I’m Kamoru Sodiq, faculty of law, 500l. I’m from Iwo.
I’m currently the Amir/President, MSSNOAU.
We heard a report that you were the Amir MSSN OAU in 2017/2018 session and you are also the present Amir in this current 2018/2018 session. How true is that?
It’s very true and correct. I believe it is the wish of Allah not my might. I give thanks and praise to him alone.
What do you think the Shuuroh Committee saw in you in making you the Amir in two different academic sessions?
On what the shuuroh committee saw in me. I think it’s in their wisdom they made Amir for two consecutive time differently. I will say the shuuroh committee is in the best position to disclose that because I wasn’t told the rationale behind it. The shuuroh knows better here.
How did you feel when you were appointed as the Amir?
I felt shocking and undecided. I was in total disbelief because I never envisaged such. It has never crossed my mind for once that I can be an Amir for a day let alone for 2years due to my lifestyle and other engagements I’m into.
Has there been any instance you feel like to quit the position of the Amir?
Yes, there has been. You know, leadership is not as sweet as you may think. In fact, it’s emotionally disturbing. But the beauty in it is that, leadership is an eye opener. It comes with much exposure and experience. I have had instances of quitting but in all these instances, my priority is always to achieve and not to quit. So, I believe quitting is not an option at all, it’s just a temporary heat that requires patience to fade away. Nobody must quit but continue to fire on. That’s the spirit. That’s the magic. Never say never. It’s not over until the end.
As the Amir, how have you been uniting the Muslim students under you together who have come to this university with different ideologies?
On unity among different shades of Muslim students. Actually, when we came on board as an administration last year, 2017/2018 session, the major task ahead of us is to bring Muslim together under one umbrella body of MSSNOAU and give everyone a sense of belonging and inclusiveness which we did to the best of our best.
My second administration, 2018/2019 session, it was called a consolidating team to improve on successes and gains of the last administration. I can explain to you now that the story has changed for better on campus. The unity mission was a success. Students from various departments, faculties, religious affiliations are working in unison and they respect the umbrella body of MSSNOAU that unite them headed by the AMIR. This is a great blessing from Allah he has granted OAU community. Not only unity among students but re-establishing the strong bond and brother between the students and Muslim staff who are the Muslim community. We thank Allah for this and we appreciate all and sundry for this success. You can ask any student around about the impact of MSSNOAU on campus. They will tell you better.
What is the biggest challenge that you have faced as the Amir?
I will say my biggest challenge is in decision making. The reason for this is that, our community is too sensitive. Any slight misdeeds is a news. So, anytime we needed to organize program or take position, you have to think wisely, deeply and considerably. So, the kind of decisions you take carry so much weight and consequence on the image and dignity of the society at large. I will say one must put on his thinking cap well before opening his mouth or taking any decision.
The first primary assignment of any student in this campus is to read and pass. Has there been anyway whereby MSSN OAU empowered the Muslim students towards achieving academic excellent?
Achieving academic excellence is one of the cardinal objective of MSSNOAU. There are plethora of ways in which we promote academic excellence among our members. We organize tutorials, academic talk and lots other. In fact, at the just concluded jihad week program, we designed a day to recognize and reward the brilliant students especially those in first class and second class. We called it Honour’s day. We gave them certificate of excellence and a token to appreciate their efforts and encourage them to do more.
Our priority as a society is to achieve and celebrate academic excellence among our members. I can tell you for free that our members are leading light when it comes to academic excellence and getting best grade in the university. At the last convocation, we have our members getting award as *best student in various faculties. In fact, we had one of our last executive member, Sister Mariam Azeez, who graduated as best student in her department (Economics) with 4.90. This is to show we don’t joke with our academic.
Seeking for Qur’anic and Islamic knowledge is an important aspect for Muslim students. Does MSSN OAU has any means of assisting Muslim students on that?
Yes we do assist our members to grow their Islamic knowledge. We have modrasah, we have Al-Usrah lecture every Sunday where we do invite sound Ustadh and topical issues in the religion. The last Al-Usrah we had was given by Dr Sheikh Rasheed Abdul-Jabar Buwaib from Iwo on Fornication. This is to tell you how important we take knowledge and the kind of Islamic orientation we give to our members. At the last Jihad week, we organized Quran competition to encourage members towards the memorization of the glorious Quran.
How do you relate with other executives in discharging the activities of MSSN OAU?
I relate with them with humbleness and pleading. I respect their views and they respect me too. Above all, I see them as partners in progress. We worked among ourselves as brothers and sisters. No superiority whatsoever. We relate as friends and brothers.
How has been OAU Muslim community leaders helping you towards achieving a successful tenure?
OAU Muslim community remain my strongest pillar and support. They really did so wonderful. The support was overwhelming and total. They supported us in all ramification, socially, emotionally and financially. May Allah bless them all.
We heard that the Muslim students have been commending you and your other executives for achieving a successful and great jihad week. What exactly made it unique?
The uniqueness of this year jihad week is the choice of lecturers and topics. This two things actually made it special. People are always attracted to topical/relevant issues and the personality of the person to deliver the talk. Also, our mobilization and publicity was everywhere. We made use of all avenues to let students know about the program. Faculty and departmental level, praying ground (Mosallah), hostels, at our various programs, posters, banners, displaying clothes, handbills, announcement at Juma’h on minbar, short video jingle, broadcast, presentation at Orisun FM, one on one publicity, social media pages and lots more. I will say three things: choice of speakers, topical issues and massive awareness.
We were informed that another Shuuroh committee has been formed to select new executives for 2019/2020 session. Who do you think may take over the position of Amir from you?
I don’t know. Allah knows best. I will rather say we wait till the shuuroh committee decides. May Allah give us the best hand to continue the feat.
What advice do you have for anyone who emerged as the next Amir?
My advice is simple. He should be sincere, humble and responsible. I hope other things will fall in line for him. Allah will always be there for him and relevant stakeholders are there to support him make success. May Allah make it easy.
We heard that you’re now in final year. When did you intend to marry?
I think that is a personal decision. But I can assure you when the time comes, inshallah, people will know. I can’t go underground to have it. May Allah make it possible. Thanks.
As the Amir, how have you been coping your academic activities with MSSN activities? Isn’t it affecting your GP?
Running academics and Amirship together is not easy. But, Allah will always assist you in a way you can’t even imagine. The thing is, just be as responsible as you can as the Amir and don’t be reckless with your academic because people will not forgive for failing as the Amir.
It has never affected my CGPA. I think you must never use Amirship as an escape route to fail. If it affects it, it means you are not fit to take Amirship. It will be in your best interest to step aside as Amir, face your academics and make your contributions in your own little way. It doesn’t affect it at all. I thank Allah for his blessings and grace on me. As I said, it’s not by my power, it’s Allah that made it possible. He is the able God. Thanks.
What advice can you give to the Muslim students on campus?
Muslim students should be focused as regards to their academic excellence and spiritual upliftment, this is what we make them good ambassador of Islam on campus. Nothing succeed like success. If a Muslim is successful, people will respect Muslim and Islam more on campus. May Allah assist them. Aamin
Active Islamic journalism costs huge sums of money. To ensure quality and rich Islamic journalism, the support of readers and friends of the publication is required. Support us by donating via the account details below: Account Name: Standard Bearers Project Account Bank Name: Zenith Bank Account Number: 1014987008 Kindly call or chat; 07031357133 for more enquiry. Jazakum llahu khairan
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Interesting. Well done
Mo shaa Allaah
May Allaah continue to be your guide and protect you sir.
May He also assist the shuroh committee in the appointment of good leaders for the next academic year
It is really a great experience indeed! Working with you as Naibul-Amir Admin and Planning, it is the favour from Allah that really make us recorded all the success.
May the success continue with the next administration we are going to pass responsibility of this society leadership to In Shaa Allahu, amin.
Masha Allah he is a very good leader in my own perspective. Especially when it comes to relating with students. He LL say " sheik faruq this is sheik ____ pls help greet him well for us he is a very good brother".may Allah continue to bless him and Grant him the best in this world and the next
Hmmmm May Allah reward you , and take proper control on next administration
Na'am… That's how he does
Maa sha Allah.. . Barokallohu fihi Our Amiable Amir
As a part one student, with the little i met.. I can testify your tenure was a successful
May Allah reward you abundantly and grant you success fi dunya wal Akhiroh
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Really mind touching. May Allah the almighty catapult you zenith in this globe and the life to come. From Mudathir Abdul Hamid
MaashaaAllah, May Allah reward you abundantly, you continued the good work which we started, it wasn't easy, I can understand as the former amirah, leadership position is amanah, may Allah accept it from us as an act of ibadah, I pray that the next administration should be able to continue the work, Allah will see them through InnshaaAllah
Salam aleykum room, in all ramifications joke apart our Amir has show his iconic leadership stly. As a leader one thing is very crucial, to fight for right of your followers either through violence or dialogues. Surprisingly our Amir always get things done through Dialogue.
What makes me respect him is he was able to manage both human and little materials resources available to him to run his administration in unprecedented way.
Lastly he take to correction whenever we advised him economically, politically and socially.
We should also note without crisis things won't move well, whenever their is misconception, or differences in opinion he took us to Quran and Hadith's before thing go out of control.
Masha'Allah. May Allah never leave you and the entire members of this community.
Amir. This is an achievement of you with the help if Allah. Baarakallahu fih
As general secretary of the society I love everyone of us all.
Our incoming executives may Almighty Allah give them wisdom knowledge and understanding to run their administration.
Through Allah's help things go as expected. Alliamdullillah. More success ahead brother in Islam.
Ya Ameer!!
We r gonna miss you..
The best is yet to come in shaa Allah…
May Allah continue to safeguard u on his path + steadfastness all the way
Barakallahu fihi
Ma'shallah ,may Allah reward the interviewer and his guest at least we gain one or two things from dz also barokah lah fihi
To the others excos too barokah lah fihi because behind a successful leader there is always an understandable and supportive followers.May Allah's blessing be with u in all ramifications
بارك الله فيه
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Ya Amir..indeed you have performed excellently wth the Rahman of Allah..Barakallahu fihi in all your endeavour's..The marriage part is the koko ooo..even if u go underground we follow swiftly 😂😂😂…
May Allah in His infinite mercy to continue to shower His blessing upon you and your family.
I'm sincerely humble and really grateful to you all for your love, commendations and good-wishes. I will forever be indebted to you all. I pray may Allah honour you all and grant you your heart-desires. Jazaakumullahu khairan my people. One love keeps us together.
Aaamin… Thanks so much sir
Lol… Sister Fatimoh, we can't go undercover na. We dey together. Inshallah, we will let you know. You belong to our association of friends and well-wishers
I also testify to what this our precious brethenb said about him…I think that's his way of life, he has that good manner of saying, " sheykh! Please help greet our brother"
Apart from that, he still has some good behaviors, as earlier said , good relationship, he truly does, May Allah reward everyone of us abundantly.
Jazaakallõhu khairan
Now, I'm ready to make my own comments, as being captured from my own perspectives, I think he is different in the sense that I've not experienced any form of a generous humanity as he is, he doesn't underrate people, he shows that good character to all, although not everyone will appreciate what he does but to me, he is still the best of those I've been opportune to meet.
My advice as a junior colleague to you sir, I believe they are surely some inner hindrances which are not opened to all, even if you are not appreciated, don't feel depressed sir, for sure, people will later say something about you, whether good or bad, just keep the good work on going.
Baraakallõh fihi.
Our amiable Amir.
Jazaakallõhu khairan
All thanks due to the most wise and benevolent Allah who in his utter clemency blessed us with the indefatigable team that led the administration. I also heap encomium on the entire team for the great deal of good service they have rendered. I must laudably commend the Ameer for his wisdom, dynamism, tolerance, impartiality and tenacious determination to do everything with love to wholly revivify the image of MSSNOAU. Ameer is ineffably amiable, approachable, liberal, calm, dutiful and resourceful. Hence, I do call him AMIABLE APPROACHABLE AMEER.
Our mighty Muslim Community, unanimous UNIFEMGA and all MSSN at large are well acknowledged and extolled for their wholehearted countenance.
Only Allah can appreciate you all well but I must evince my happiness for the resounding success you have accomplished. May Allah accept it as worship for you, forgive your misdeeds and reward you exceedingly on earth and on the day of recompense.
#ONELOVEMSSNOAU
Frank (Englishman).
English man
Indeed there are leaders and there are leaders.The fact has not been gainsaid that the amir is actually different in the world of leaders.You wouldn't know he is the amir,unless you are told.He is congenial, humble and respect students irrespective of their status.
All I would just say is that may Allah in his infinite mercy ease your endeavors and make you successful both here and the hereafter.