The National Association of Proprietors of Arabic and Islamic Schools, NAPAIS, umbrella body of the Association of Arabic and Islamic Schools, AAIS in the South West and their counterparts in the country is sending a resounding appeal to all its members in particular, and discerning Nigerians to refrain from participating, in whatever form, in the planned nationwide protest slated for next month.
The plea was sequel to an emergency meeting held on 16th July, 2024 in Ibadan on the state of the nation and consequent issuance of communiquè.
According to the signed Communique by the AAIS South West Acting President, Sheikh Muhammadu-Jamiu Abdulgafar, who doubles as the National President, NAPAIS and the acting General Secretary of the association, Sheikh Salaudeen Miftau, and the chairmen of six South West states, NAPAIS resolved as follows:
The association has instructed members to begin Qunoot (Special Prayers) at dawn, Subhi prayer and during the midnight prayer, Ishai, for the next seven days in their various mosques.
More so, NAPAIS instructs members to round off the special prayer next Thursday, 25th July, 2024 across all states of the federation to seek Allah’s divine intervention so as to dismantle evil plans against our dear country, as we have no other nation to go while those instigating violence possess dual citizenship with their families.
NAPAIS equally urges members to familiarise themselves with elected council chairmen and strive to secure farmlands for cultivation of food crops to benefit from the ongoing efforts of the association to collaborate with the federal ministry of Agriculture to secure grants for all members across the country.
Furthermore, the association advises President Tinubu to bring on board the crop of his experienced allies in various sectors of national life to proffer workable solutions to myriads of challenges facing the country.
Sheikhs Abdulgafar and Miftau implore security agencies to be at alert and step up surveillance around national monuments, public infrastructure and institutions which may likely be the targets of the planned insurrection, the#EndSARS catastrophe is still fresh in our memories; they should not turn Nigeria to second Libya.
While reaffirming the NAPAIS’s support and solidarity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government, the association commends the latest gesture of yet another 740 trucks of Rice donation to the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, adding that the palliative is an effective soothing balm for hunger in the land.
The leadership of NAPAIS equally urge the federating units to follow suit by ensuring continuous palliatives and just distribution for the grains to trickle down to the deserved needy, with a view to bringing succour to the masses.
NAPAIS executives further appeal to Nigerians to keep faith in positive outcomes of the landmark Supreme Court judgement of July 11th, 2024 which granted financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs in Nigeria.
“NAPAIS expresses optimism that the historic judgement will bequeath fresh air into the third tier of government, thereby fast-tracking development at the grassroots and overall national development.
“Let us be conscious of governance at the local councils, hold our elected chairmen and councillors accountable through active participation now that no one can withhold or tamper with the funds federally allocated to them on monthly basis”. NAPAIS advised.
The association wants the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU to keep eagle eyes on local government finance vis-a-vis cash inflow and outflow for prudent resource management.
Nigeria shall be greater, bi’idhnillah.
