Independence an Amanah, Citizenship a Responsibility – Imam Tajudeen

The Chief Imam of Prince and Princess Estate Central Mosque, Abuja, reflects on independence as an Amanah and the responsibilities of leaders and citizens before Allah.

By Imam Tajudeen Sheikh Oyebanji

Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary on 1 October 2026, having gained independence in 1960.

As we reflect on the meaning of independence, we must ask ourselves: What have we contributed to this nation, and what will we leave for generations to come?

نِيجِيرِيَا فِي عَامِهَا السَّادِسِ وَالسِّتِّينَ

الاسْتِقْلَالُ أَمَانَةٌ، وَالْوَطَنُ مَسْؤُولِيَّةٌ

الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ.

إِخْوَانِيَ فِي اللَّهِ، نَحْنُ نَحْتَفِلُ بِذِكْرَى اسْتِقْلَالِ نِيجِيرِيَا فِي عَامِهَا السَّادِسِ وَالسِّتِّينَ، وَلَيْسَ المُرَادُ مِنَ الاسْتِقْلَالِ الأَعْلَامَ وَالأَنَاشِيدَ فَقَطْ، بَلْ المُرَادُ أَنْ نَسْأَلَ أَنْفُسَنَا: مَاذَا قَدَّمْنَا لِهَذَا الوَطَنِ؟ وَمَاذَا سَنُقَدِّمُ لِأَجْيَالِنَا القَادِمَةِ؟

العَدْلُ أَسَاسُ الحُكْمِ وَالمُجْتَمَعِ

قال الله تعالى:

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ﴾
[النساء: ٥٨]

Translation:
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice.”

Therefore, our leaders must see leadership as an Amanah, not merely an opportunity; and citizens must see citizenship as a responsibility, not merely a right.

كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنَّا مَسْؤُولٌ

قال رسول الله ﷺ

«كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ، وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْؤُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ»
— رواه البخاري

Translation:
“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for those under his care.”

The President, governor, minister, legislator, traditional ruler, religious leader, civil servant, businessman, parent, teacher and ordinary citizen — all have responsibilities before Allah.

الوَحْدَةُ وَتَرْكُ الفِتْنَةِ

قال الله تعالى:

﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا﴾
[آلِ عِمْرَان: ١٠٣]

Translation:
“And hold firmly, all together, to the rope of Allah and do not be divided.”

Nigeria’s strength is not in one tribe, region or religion. We must reject tribal hatred, religious hatred, political violence, ethnic insults and deliberate spreading of falsehood.

النَّصِيحَةُ لِلْحُكَّامِ وَالمَسْؤُولِينَ

The Prophet ﷺ said:

«مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَسْتَرْعِيهِ اللَّهُ رَعِيَّةً، يَمُوتُ يَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَهُوَ غَاشٌّ لِرَعِيَّتِهِ، إِلَّا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الجَنَّةَ»
— رواه البخاري ومسلم

Translation:
“There is no servant whom Allah places in charge of people and who dies while deceiving those under his care, except that Allah forbids Paradise for him.”

Therefore, leaders should fear Allah concerning security, justice, public funds, education, employment, food, healthcare and the dignity of citizens.

وَالنَّصِيحَةُ لِلشَّعْبِ

Citizens should also fear Allah. They should not steal public property, offer or take bribes, destroy public facilities, spread rumours, promote violence, or use religion or ethnicity to create hatred.

Allah says:

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ﴾
[الرَّعْد: ١١]

Translation:
“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.”

كَلِمَةٌ مِنْ أَقْوَالِ السَّلَفِ

A well-known saying attributed to Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) expresses the depth of responsibility in leadership:

“If a mule were to stumble in Iraq, I would fear that Allah would ask me about it: Why did you not make the road smooth for it, O Umar?”

The lesson is that true leadership means accountability and service, not privilege.

الخَاتِمَةُ

O Muslims and fellow Nigerians, let Nigeria’s 66th anniversary be a time of shukr, tawbah, unity and renewed responsibility.

Let our leaders lead with justice.

Let our scholars speak with wisdom.

Let our citizens act with integrity.

Let our youth reject violence and crime.

Let Muslims and Christians live together in peace.

Let every Nigerian contribute to the security, prosperity and unity of our nation.

اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْ نِيجِيرِيَا، وَأَصْلِحْ وُلَاةَ أُمُورِنَا، وَارْزُقْهُمُ العَدْلَ وَالأَمَانَةَ وَالحِكْمَةَ، وَاحْفَظْ شَعْبَنَا مِنَ الفِتَنِ وَالحُرُوبِ وَالإرْهَابِ وَالفَقْرِ، وَاجْمَعْ قُلُوبَنَا عَلَى الحَقِّ وَالسَّلَامِ، وَاجْعَلْ نِيجِيرِيَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا مُطْمَئِنًّا، وَسَائِرَ بِلَادِ المُسْلِمِينَ. آمِينَ.

Translation:
“O Allah, protect Nigeria. Reform those entrusted with our affairs and grant them justice, trustworthiness and wisdom. Protect our people from trials, wars, terrorism and poverty. Unite our hearts upon truth and peace. Make Nigeria a secure and peaceful nation, and likewise all Muslim lands. Amin.”

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