Oyo FOMWAN Kicks Off 40th Anniversary with Rally, Advocates Hard Work, Responsible Parenthood
The Oyo State Chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) on Monday commenced activities marking its 40th anniversary with a rally, using the occasion to advocate hard work, responsible parenthood, and sustained commitment to the moral and socio-economic development of society.
The rally, which officially flagged off the week-long anniversary celebration, drew members of the association from across the state, who took to major streets in Ibadan to create awareness about FOMWAN’s four decades of service to humanity while promoting healthy living through physical exercise.
Addressing participants, the State Amira of FOMWAN, Dr. (Mrs.) Lateefat Dairo, called on women to continue promoting the ideals of womanhood, motherhood, and responsible parenthood, describing the family as the foundation for building a morally upright and progressive society.
She urged members not to relent in advancing the vision and mission of FOMWAN, noting that the association has remained steadfast in its commitment to the spiritual, educational, moral, and socio-economic empowerment of Muslim women as well as community development.
Dr. Dairo also appealed to Muslims to continue contributing their quota to national development irrespective of the positions they occupy, stressing that collective efforts and selfless service are essential to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Nigeria.
The FOMWAN State Amira particularly admonished youths to shun the growing “get-rich-quick” syndrome, urging them instead to embrace diligence, honesty, perseverance, and contentment as enduring virtues that guarantee sustainable success.
She expressed optimism that the association’s proposed School of Nursing would become operational before FOMWAN celebrates its golden jubilee, describing the project as one of the legacy initiatives aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare education and strengthening healthcare delivery.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the 40th Anniversary Planning Committee, Alhaja Surura Oyero, explained that the anniversary rally was organised to promote physical fitness among members while also sensitising the public to the vision, activities, and achievements of FOMWAN over the past four decades.
She encouraged women, especially young females, to identify with and become active members of the association, noting that although FOMWAN has continued to make remarkable contributions to society, there is a need to groom younger members who will sustain its vision and assume future leadership responsibilities.
According to Alhaja Oyero, the week-long anniversary celebration has been carefully designed to reflect FOMWAN’s commitment to faith, education, humanitarian service, and community development.
She disclosed that activities lined up for the celebration include a Youth Day programme featuring lectures on security challenges, youth development, fear, trauma, Iman (faith), and responsibility; environmental sanitation exercises across the 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State; humanitarian outreach programmes; a Jumat service and special prayers; the final rounds of essay writing, Qur’an recitation, and quiz competitions; a healthcare awareness campaign; and a grand finale scheduled for Sunday.
Founded to promote the spiritual, educational, and socio-economic development of Muslim women, FOMWAN has over the past 40 years remained one of Nigeria’s foremost faith-based women organisations, championing education, healthcare, humanitarian services, advocacy, and family values while contributing significantly to national development.
