05/01/2026
*My (Un)Prepared Blueprint: Reflections on the Dream and Reality of The Muslim Congress, Ogun State Chapter*
O Allah, do not hold me to account for what they say (about me), forgive me for what they do not know (about me), and make me better than what they assume (of me).
*“Say: O Allah, Owner of all sovereignty. You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honour whom You will and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is all good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”*
(Qur’an 3:26)
As a mortal, I consider myself least qualified for the task of steering the ship of The Muslim Congress (TMC) in Ogun State, largely due to my deficiencies and incapabilities. The announcement of my appointment as the new Waali of TMC in Ogun State on Sunday, 28th December 2025 (8th Rajab 1447 AH) truly rattled me.
I least expected that I would be saddled with this responsibility, especially amidst capable hands who have made remarkable sacrifices and demonstrated unwavering commitment to the attainment of the mission and vision of TMC in Ogun State. It was this realization that made me initially ignore the barrage of congratulatory messages that flooded my phone immediately after the announcement was made.
How could I be congratulated for being given a task I feel I do not have the capacity to execute? How should I celebrate a burden that feels heavy for me to carry? Incidents of this nature, however, have often been my lot. I have consistently considered myself overrated. I only try to put in my best in whatever task I engage in. Sometimes, out of divine grace and providence, I attain outcomes and outputs that exceed the quality of my input.
Upon sincere evaluation, I often discover that such results were made possible by remarkable support from mentors, team members, and well-wishers. Yet, I receive the accolades, and as the face of the programmes and projects I superintend, I become the cynosure of all eyes. Conversely, I have also found myself on the other side of the divide - being made to take responsibility for failures I had no input in, unjustly blamed and persecuted for the errors of others.
This new challenge, however, is exceptional. I was asked to aid the cause of Allah. Does Allah require my help for His will to come to pass? Certainly not. Striving in the cause of Allah through TMC is therefore a privilege, not a necessity for Him. His will would be achieved with or without my contribution. The slogan of TMC: “If you aid the cause of Allah, Allah will aid you” only offers me the opportunity to enjoy the bounties of Allah through the platform of TMC.
After an initial inclination to reject the appointment, it took me days of reflection to realize that this responsibility had come to stay. The question then became: how would I navigate this sojourn which I feel grossly incapacitated to handle? I deeply admire my predecessors, Dr. Ibrahim Ogunkoya and Dr. AbdurRazaq Ogunmoye, for their exceptional leadership, vision, and charisma during their tenures. They are embodiments of virtue and exemplary leadership. Reflecting on how they managed TMC during their stewardship makes me tremble. The expiration of their tenure has left a vacuum that I feel weak to fill.
I therefore found myself at a crossroads on how to steer the ship of TMC. After days of reflection and reliance on Allah for guidance and support, I accepted the herculean task of being the face of TMC, recognizing that someone must represent the organization. I consider myself least qualified to head TMC in Ogun State, and I see myself first as a member before a leader. My over ten years of experience in TMC has consistently shown me the exceptional contributions of members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to advance the mission and vision of the Congress.
Despite my inadequacies and the burden placed upon me to serve as the face of TMC in Ogun State, I accept this responsibility with solace drawn from the life of Prophet Muhammad - an unlettered, poor man of moderate social standing when Allah entrusted him with the mission of reforming humanity, beginning from Makkah. Despite these apparent limitations, the unlettered Prophet educated the learned, liberated humanity from servitude to creation, and redirected it to servitude to the Creator. He established a holistic model for the development of all spheres of human life - moral, social, economic, political, and spiritual - one that remains unmatched in the history of civilization.
I therefore declare my incompetence, O Allah, as I take up this responsibility to contribute my modest quota to “guiding, influencing, and setting the agenda for social reformation in line with the Qur’an and Sunnah.” As You blessed Prophet Muhammad with the finest of followers - Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, and the noble Companions - I seek Your help in empowering the present and future members, as well as well-wishers of TMC, to collectively shoulder this burden with me.
O Allah, I declare my weakness so that You may perfect my deeds. Guide my steps, my speech, and my actions. Make my efforts at TMC a source of joy in this world and the Hereafter, and accept them from all of us at TMC as an act of ‘Ibadah.
*5-Point Blueprint for The Muslim Congress, Ogun State*
Our dream for TMC is for it to emerge as a foremost Islamic organization - a model and reference point of ideal Islamic engagement—providing a platform for education, reformation, and collaboration, while setting the agenda for the repositioning of the Ummah.
With the help of Allah, guided by the vision, mission, and objectives of TMC, and supported by members and well-wishers, we shall, In Sha Allah, pursue the following five-point agenda:
* Enhanced Spiritual Development
* Membership Drive
* Welfare and Economic Empowerment
* Education, Manpower Development, and Capacity Building
* Special Projects, Collaboration, and Unity
*1. Enhanced Spiritual Development*
One of the most fundamental needs of human beings is inner peace, from which all other forms of stability flow. Islam, whose very meaning is peace, provides a veritable instrument for achieving this by guiding humanity toward the purpose for which it was created. This explains why many individuals, despite attaining wealth, career success, political power, marriage, employment, and children, still suffer depression, emptiness, and rising su***de rates. Conversely, the absence of these material attainments has also not spared others from similar psychological distress.
There exists a time-tested model that has illuminated lives with the light of peace regardless of social or economic status, and its foundation is spiritual development. Many lose their moral compass due to spiritual neglect, running from pillar to post in search of salvation that lies within their reach. In this pursuit, some sacrifice their freedom, wealth, health, and most tragically their Hereafter.
Enhanced spiritual development shall be the foundation upon which all other agenda of TMC rest. Islam provides a holistic framework for attaining inner peace and moral balance through tazkiyat an-nafs (purification of the soul). Allah says: “He has succeeded who purifies it.” (Qur’an 91:9).
It is upon this realization that we have anchored the five-point agenda on enhanced spiritual development, which will serve as the springboard for the other four pillars. We envision TMC members and Muslims who are at peace with Allah, themselves, their families, and society. I envision TMC as an abode of spiritual rejuvenation. Alhamdulillah, TMC already possesses a ready-made template for this objective, and we shall, In Sha Allah, prioritize spiritual development to restore confidence in the Qur’an and Sunnah as comprehensive solutions to human challenges.
TMC shall strengthen and expand Tazkiyah Centres across Ogun State as platforms for spiritual purification, moral reorientation, and character development. These centres shall host regular tafsir, ta‘līm, self-accountability, and spiritual counselling sessions.
Spiritual mentorship shall be encouraged by pairing members, particularly youths, with morally upright elders and scholars to promote character formation through companionship.
Through these structured platforms, we envision TMC members who are spiritually grounded, morally disciplined, emotionally balanced, and able to translate Islamic values into personal, family, and societal life.
*2. Membership Drive*
Why are Muslims often more attracted to ideologies alien to their faith than to what truly belongs to them? Why do many hesitate to identify with Islamic values and institutions? Despite the numerical strength of Muslims in Nigeria, to what extent does this population truly identify with Islam and Islamic organizations?
To reverse this trend, TMC will intensify efforts to expand membership across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State. We shall extend our reach to the nooks and crannies of the 236 wards by establishing functional local government structures, branches, and adhkar centres to cater to the needs of members and the wider Muslim community. We have envisioned a renewed willingness among Muslims in Ogun State to embrace TMC as a platform for fulfilling the purpose of their creation.
*3. Welfare and Economic Empowerment*
Spiritual fortification is closely linked to economic stability. Little wonder the Prophet Muhammad sought refuge from disbelief and poverty. History has shown that some Muslims have compromised or even abandoned their faith due to economic hardship and material inducement.
Recognizing this reality, this administration will prioritize welfare and economic empowerment initiatives. We shall collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve the economic well-being of members through structured and sustainable empowerment programmes.
*4. Education, Manpower Development, and Capacity Building*
One cannot give what one does not possess. Before entrusting Prophet Muhammad with the task of societal reformation, Allah emphasized knowledge through revelation. Just as Prophet Adam was elevated through knowledge, the capacity of Prophet Muhammad was developed through the Qur’an to enable him to deliver the divine message.
Guided by this principle, we shall implement capacity-building and educational programmes for TMC members and Muslims, covering both Islamic and contemporary education. The modalities for achieving this, within the framework of TMC headquarters, shall be unveiled in due course.
*5. Special Projects, Collaboration, and Unity*
Leveraging its comparative advantage, TMC shall execute special projects to advance its objectives. Paramount among these is collaboration with sister Islamic organizations in Ogun State to jointly fulfill our responsibility as vicegerents of Allah on earth. We shall prioritize Muslim unity, enabling us to speak with one voice on issues affecting the Ummah.
Other initiatives covering the 8-point agenda of the Alhaji Abdulwasiu Taiwo Bangbala led administration at the national level - covering institutional engagement, political participation, halal investment, advocacy, media platforms, a mini studio, corporate image, secretariat development, da‘wah buses, and more - shall be pursued strategically.
*Modus Operandi*
To implement this five-point agenda, specialized Think Tank Committees shall be inaugurated for each pillar. These committees will comprise experts in relevant fields and will be required to submit reports within one month of inauguration. Clear terms of reference shall be provided.
“O Allah, I ask You for all that is good, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of what You have entrusted me with.”
Jamiu Folarin, Ph.D
Waali, The Muslim Congress (TMC), Ogun State
5th January 2026 (16th Rajab 1447 AH)
“If you aid the cause of Allah, He will aid you and make your foothold firm.” - (Qur’an 47:7)
