Justice Begins at Home, Leadership Is an Amanah, WID Tells Nigerians

The 19th National Conference in Lafia closes with a strong message on rebuilding society through justice, trust and accountability, as leaders examine the responsibilities of those who govern and those they serve.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Muslim women have been tasked to take a leading role in shaping a more just and accountable society, as the 19th Annual National Conference of the Women in Da’awah (WID) Organisation concluded in Lafia with emphasis on ethical leadership, responsible citizenship and the role of families in national development.

The message resonated throughout the closing ceremony on Saturday, where representatives of the Presidency, the Nasarawa State Government, traditional institutions and Islamic scholars challenged delegates to ensure the lessons from the four-day gathering extend beyond the conference hall into homes, communities and public life.

PEACE Magazine’s correspondent, who was present at the conference, gathered that beyond the formal lectures, the gathering evolved into a broad platform for intellectual engagement, practical workshops, youth mentoring sessions and policy-focused discussions examining the moral, social and leadership challenges confronting Nigeria.

Across the various sessions, scholars and participants explored the responsibilities of Muslim women in nation-building, ethical political participation, family leadership, peaceful coexistence, youth development, social justice and community reform, with repeated emphasis that rebuilding society begins with individual responsibility before extending to public institutions and government.

HRH, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Emir of Lafia)

The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I, praised Women in Da’awah for sustaining what he described as a gathering devoted to the message of truth and Islamic guidance. Reflecting on the lectures delivered during the conference, he encouraged participants to practise the teachings they had received and extend their benefits to society, irrespective of religious or ethnic background.

The monarch also conveyed his appreciation to the scholars and organisers for fostering Da’wah through knowledge and dialogue, while offering prayers for the safe return of delegates who travelled from different parts of the country. A representative of the Andoma of Wamba similarly commended the organisation’s contribution to the Muslim Ummah and pledged continued support for its activities.

Dignitaries, scholars and guests at the high table

Speaking on behalf of the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Barrister Abdulsalam Mohammed said the conference came at a defining moment for Nigeria, describing justice, trust and accountability as values that must guide both leaders and citizens.

He said leadership does not begin in government offices but in the home, where mothers nurture the values that shape future generations. Referring to the Prophetic teaching that every person is a shepherd responsible for those under their care, he urged participants to return to their communities as advocates of peace, integrity and moral responsibility, while encouraging young people to balance professional ambition with Islamic values and character.

Barrister Mohammed further called on Muslim women to stand against corruption, domestic violence, child abuse and social injustice, saying organisations such as Women in Da’awah have a vital responsibility in strengthening the nation’s moral fabric alongside government efforts aimed at improving economic stability and national security.

Representing Governor Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Aminu Mu’azu Murtala, described the conference theme as a reminder that sustainable development depends as much on responsible citizens as on ethical leadership.

He said justice remains the foundation of peace and unity, while trust and accountability are indispensable to effective governance and strong public institutions. Commending Women in Da’awah for decades of promoting Islamic education, family values and women’s empowerment, the commissioner urged participants to convert the conference discussions into practical actions capable of strengthening peaceful coexistence, national unity and social responsibility.

He also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, religious harmony and women’s participation in leadership, noting that investment in women’s education and empowerment remains an investment in national prosperity.

Hajiya Hasiya Ahmed (Amirah FOMWAN Nasarawa State)

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, the Amirah of FOMWAN Nasarawa State congratulated the organisation for sustaining a platform dedicated to moral development and Islamic enlightenment, urging participants to uphold the values discussed throughout the conference.

In his lecture, Professor Mohammad Tanko Aliyu of the Federal University of Lafia said leadership in Islam is a sacred trust rather than a symbol of power, stressing that every individual carries a measure of responsibility, whether in public office, within the family or the wider community.

He said the examples of the Prophets demonstrate that justice, piety, wisdom, patience and trustworthiness are indispensable qualities of leadership, adding that meaningful national reform begins with personal reform. According to him, both leaders and followers must embrace accountability if Nigeria is to achieve lasting peace and development.

Islamic scholar Malama Khadija Hawaja said Muslim women must recognise their responsibility in addressing the country’s growing social challenges by promoting justice, compassion and peaceful coexistence.

Drawing on the Qur’an and the Sunnah, she argued that women have historically played central roles in nurturing stable societies and should continue serving as voices of wisdom, reconciliation and community development. She maintained that justice creates a sense of belonging, while exclusion and inequality often breed instability, urging participants to work across communities in advancing peace and social harmony.

The National Amirah of Women in Da’awah, Hajiya Maryam Idris Othman, expressed appreciation to the Nasarawa State Government, traditional rulers, scholars, partner organisations and delegates from across the country for supporting this year’s conference.

Hajiya Maryam Idris Othman (National Amirah WID)

She acknowledged the presence and support of representatives of the Vice President’s wife, state first ladies, royal institutions, Islamic organisations and delegates from several states, describing their participation as a reflection of the conference’s growing national significance.

The conference also featured an evening interactive session led by Prof. Raf’atu Abdul-Hamid on “Turning Values into Action: Practical Pathways to Responsible Leadership and Citizenship,”where participants examined how the principles discussed throughout the conference could be translated into everyday conduct within homes, workplaces, communities and public life. The session encouraged participants to move beyond theoretical discussions by embracing accountability, service, civic responsibility and ethical leadership as practical obligations rooted in Islamic teachings.

Faces from the concluding day: