Qur’anic teachings hold key to ending insecurity, says former Permanent Secretary

By Umar Idris Shuaibu

A former Permanent Secretary in Kano State, Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Abdullahi, has identified adherence to the teachings and values of the Holy Qur’an as a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s lingering security challenges, social unrest and declining moral values.

Abdullahi made the submission during the opening ceremony of the 25th Inter-Local Government Qur’anic Recitation Competition (Musabaqa) organised by the Ganduje Foundation in Kano.

According to him, many of the country’s security and social challenges, including violence, poor community cooperation and the breakdown of peaceful coexistence, can be addressed by promoting the moral principles and teachings of the Holy Qur’an.

He explained that Qur’anic recitation competitions help instil discipline, unity and sound moral values among participants, noting that the standards and rules governing the competition encourage mutual respect, fairness and peaceful coexistence.

“If our communities continue to encourage Qur’anic recitation competitions (Musabaqa), they will promote peace, cooperation and unity among the people,” he said.

Abdullahi further stated that the Holy Qur’an teaches respect for human life and discourages all forms of violence.

“The Qur’an teaches us not to kill, not to harm others and not to disrupt the peaceful nature of society. A person who truly understands and lives by these teachings should not engage in violence or any undesirable behaviour,” he stated.

The former Executive Secretary of the Kano State Science and Technical Schools Board stressed the importance of raising children on sound Islamic values, saying such upbringing would mould responsible and law-abiding citizens.

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He also urged Nigerian youths to embrace peace, shun social vices and become ambassadors of harmony and national unity in their communities.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Musabaqa Committee of the Ganduje Foundation, Malam Rabi’u Musa Garko, commended the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for sustaining the Foundation’s humanitarian, educational and religious programmes.

Garko said the Foundation has continued to make significant contributions to healthcare, education, religious development and humanitarian services across Kano State and other parts of Nigeria.

According to him, the Foundation has provided free eye care services to hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries through the distribution of medications, prescription glasses and thousands of free eye surgeries across the 44 local government areas of Kano State.

He added that the Foundation has also invested in the construction, renovation and equipping of Juma’at Mosques, Islamiyya schools and women development centres, while consistently sponsoring Qur’anic recitation competitions and promoting Islamic values.

The committee chairman further noted that the Foundation supports orphans, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable members of society through the distribution of welfare packages and food items during religious festivities. He added that it also undertakes community development initiatives, including the construction of boreholes, agricultural empowerment programmes and grassroots socio-religious activities aimed at improving the welfare of communities.

Garko offered prayers for Dr. Ganduje and his family, describing the Foundation’s interventions as life-changing initiatives that continue to impact communities in Kano State and across Nigeria.

Also speaking, a Director of the Ganduje Foundation, Malam Nuhu Gudaji, urged contestants to maintain the highest standards of discipline and strictly observe the rules guiding the competition.

He said adherence to the guidelines would enable the panel of judges to conduct a fair assessment and determine the overall winners based on merit.

Gudaji announced that the closing ceremony of the competition is scheduled for July 12, 2026, and is expected to be attended by the Chairman of the Ganduje Foundation, the immediate past National Chairman of the APC and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who will present prizes and awards to outstanding participants.

The competition, which attracted participants from the 44 local government areas of Kano State, features various categories of Qur’anic recitation aimed at promoting Islamic scholarship, moral excellence and unity among young Muslims.

Organisers expressed optimism that the annual Musabaqa would continue to nurture future generations grounded in Islamic knowledge, exemplary character and peaceful coexistence, while inspiring greater commitment to the study and application of the Holy Qur’an.