The office of the First Lady of Kebbi state has hosted the 5th edition of the annual Women’s Ramadan Lecture series in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, 17/04/2021. This year, the lecture with the Theme: Fundamental Role of Women in Islam was presented by 4 prominent speakers including Sheikh Jabir Sani Maihulla, Sheikh Mufti Ismail Menk, Sister Na’ima B Robert and Sheikh Abubakar Giro Argungu who was represented by Dr Attahiru Sifawa.

The Kebbi Women’s Ramadan Lecture debuted in the Year 2016 as a renaissance of the traditional daily lectures during the holy month. The one day lecture focuses on one main theme that captures topical societal issues relating to women via different insights from an array of renowned speakers. It is a brainchild of the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu.

Speaking at the lecture, the Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu commended his wife Dr Bagudu for organising the program and the choice of the theme and its subs which according to him were apt and timely. According to him, the various Speakers, including those who joined virtually, had done justice to the topics.

Bagudu used the opportunity to inform the gathering that his administration has secured a 70 million USD World Bank Grant which will be mobilized to strengthen Girl Child Education. He said that the grant will also aid in the provision of skills to women in the State, especially adolescent girls.

Governor Bagudu also stressed the need to legislate and appropriate more funds for girl child education and other related female welfare schemes saying, women have to be supported to play their societal roles.

In her remarks, The First Lady of Kebbi State H.E Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu said as Muslims, Women contribute a lot not just to their homes but the society at large and a huge part of the success of the Ramadan period depends on them. She however said they can do more to ease the month for many who are not blessed as some by doubling efforts in their homes, sadaqah and community engagements.

Her excellency emphasised that the choice of theme was reflected on the disturbing problems in society that is, the economic downturn as well as the surge of gender violence experienced during the lockdown. “Thankfully Islamic cultural spiritual and theoretical dimensions of Islam offer Muslims myriads of ways to cope”, she said

Dr Bagudu commended the administration of His Excellency Senator Atiku Bagudu for sustaining Agricultural activities in the state which have enabled young women to engage in entrepreneurial trades.

The First Lady added that her office has collaborated with partners such as Nestle, Procter and Gamble, Power Oil, etc to carry out programs targeted at empowering women and has also been very active in advocacy against GBV alongside NGWA-GBV and other CSOs. She thanked the Governor for diligently submitting the laws and the state house of assembly for expressing commitment to passing them.

In his vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Hon. Hayatuddeen Bawa who chaired the organising committee appreciated the presence of the Governor, the speakers for their time, the organising committee members as well as the guests. He prayed that Allah makes it possible to convene the 6th edition next year.

Earlier, the special adviser to the Governor on women and social development, Hon. Zahrau Wali commended Her Excellency for her excellent leadership which has made the program possible. She thanked the Governor for being auspiciously favourable to women in Kebbi state and for giving women an enabling environment to belong in the scheme of things within the permissibility of the deen.

In the course of the lecture, the speakers assiduously expounded topics around the central theme which include; the innovative Islamic ways of home management in the covid19 era, which was delivered by Sheikh Abubakar Giro Argungu who was ably represented by Dr Attahiru Sifawa, Family obligations of wives in times of economic hardship by Sister Naima B Robert, Curbing Gender-Based Violence By Sheikh Ismail Mufti Menk and the Fundamental Role of Women in Islam by Sheikh Jabir Sani Maihulla.

Gov Bagudu specifically asked Sheikh Jabir to expand on Suratul Al-Ahzaab which was of relevance to the theme of sustaining family during difficult economic times like that brought by Covid. The Surah reads: Al-Ahzaab (33:28)

‎يٰۤـاَيُّهَا النَّبِىُّ قُلْ لِّاَزۡوَاجِكَ اِنۡ كُنۡتُنَّ تُرِدۡنَ الۡحَيٰوةَ الدُّنۡيَا وَزِيۡنَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيۡنَ اُمَتِّعۡكُنَّ وَاُسَرِّحۡكُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيۡلًاYa ayyuha alnnabiyyu qul liazwajika in kuntunna turidna alhayata alddunya wazeenataha fataAAalayna omattiAAkunna waosarrihkunna sarahan jameelan

O Prophet! Say to thy Consorts: “If it be that ye desire the life of this World, and its glitter,- then come! I will provide for your enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner.

And the next verse continues:
Holy Qur’an: Al-Ahzaab (33:29)

وَاِنۡ كُنۡتُنَّ تُرِدۡنَ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ وَالدَّارَ الۡاٰخِرَةَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ اَعَدَّ لِلۡمُحۡسِنٰتِ مِنۡكُنَّ اَجۡرًا عَظِيۡمًاWain kuntunna turidna Allaha warasoolahu waalddara alakhirata fainna Allaha aAAadda lilmuhsinati minkunna ajran AAatheeman

But if ye seek Allah and His Messenger, and the Home of the Hereafter, verily Allah has prepared for the well-doers amongst you a great reward.

Dr Jabir Maihula explained that Muslim women and husbands can be guided by these verses. It enjoins on all to adjust according to means and not insist on a life of glitter and gold but rather live by their means and know that the reward of marriage is in hereafter.

Similarly he quoted from the Hadith and Quran whilst enumerating the lives of 5 exalted women who have contributed significantly to the development of Islam. Namely Khadija bin Khuwaylid, the first wife of the prophet(SAW) and first Muslim. She was a successful trader and beacon of economic support. Aisha bin Abu Bakr, his wife, through whom many hadiths and clarifications to the deen was obtained after the Prophets death. Fatima bint Mohammed his daughter remembered for her brilliance and respectability. He also enumerated the lives of Nana Asmau bin Usman Fodio and Rufaydah bint Sa`ad, an Islamic medical and social worker recognized as the first female Muslim nurse and the first female surgeon in Islam. She and her workers were at many of the battles of Islam saving lives.

The Lecture was well attended by many including the former Speaker house of representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Samaila AbdulMuminu Kamba, CoS Govt House, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena and wife of the former deputy Governor of Kebbi, Haj Fati K Aliyu. Others were Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries, Members of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Local Government Chairmen and Members of Female Islamic Groups.

The programme was also interluded with beautiful Quranic recitation and Islamic spoken words performances.

MUKTAR ABUBAKAR BAGUDO
SSA, OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
GOVT HOUSE BIRNIN KEBBI
18/04/2021