“Our true Islamic religion emphasizes the importance of family and its role in educating young people and promoting values because the nucleus of mankind is premised on family.”
That was the crux of the lecture delivered by Prof. Mahfouz A. Adedimeji at the 18th Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Community on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Islamic Centre, UNILAG.
The Prominent Islamic Scholar and Vice-Chancellor of Ahmed Pategi University, Kwara State, spoke on the topic, “The Muslim Family in the Digital Age”.
He used the forum to highlight aspects of contemporary family life aimed at strengthening value systems and preserving religious and social values.
In a no-holds-barred presentation, he identified technology-related harms due to heavy technology use such as increased inattention, impulsivity, and poor short-term memory, leading to behavioural and learning difficulties mostly amongst younger generations.
The Professor of English was critical of the role of parents particularly in the raising of children. His words “…Our children are quite sensitive, even a one-year-old today grabs a phone and vocalises the world ‘hello’. They passively absorb content that is updated every minute which in most cases disengages the brain from the mechanism of learning”.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, FAS represented by the Registrar, Oladejo Azeez, Esq prayed for Muslims and admonished them to take advantage of the season to fervently seek Allah’s mercy and blessing.
The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Hashim Oyekan, a former Commissioner for Environment and Physical Planning highlighted the important role of a Muslim family. He stressed that every member of the family must dutifully play their roles to deliver the deen to a safe place.
On his part, the former Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Rahman Bello, who was among dignitaries present at the event, appreciated the audience for their turnout at the programme. He commended the University Muslim Community for the Annual lecture as its modest contribution to national discourse.
Similarly, the Chairperson and Member-elect representing Kosofe Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Alhaja Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, corroborated the position of the Guest Lecturer as regards ensuring the proper nurturing of the family.
The UNILAG Alumna enjoined Muslims to be of the best behaviour in marriage for good parenting to happen.
