A respected financial expert and seasoned educationist, Alhaji Otun Ishaq Ajibola, has lauded the ongoing Islamic Training Programme – Economic Emancipation and Capacity Development Conference (ITP-EECDC 2025) as a transformative response to Nigeria’s deepening socio-economic challenges.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, which is themed “Reviving the Hearth: Strengthening Faith in a Challenging World” and sub-themed “Prosperity Through Faith, Knowledge, and Skill – Anchored on a Sound Creed,” Alhaji Otun commended the organizers for blending spiritual revival with practical economic empowerment.
A Chartered Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Director of Finance and Human Resources at Al-Qalam Schools, Ibadan, Alhaji Otun emphasized that the programme is strategically positioned to nurture a generation of resilient, skilled, and ethically guided Muslims.
“In a nation grappling with unemployment and economic instability, ITP-EECDC 2025 is meeting urgent needs by integrating modern skills with Islamic values,” he noted. “It is cultivating a resilient, informed, and ethically conscious workforce.”
Alhaji Otun, who also serves as Chairman of Leadership & Development at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (University of Ibadan Chapter), said his assessment of the programme is informed by years of professional experience in education, finance, and human resource management.
He fondly recalled his role as a facilitator at the inaugural edition of a similar training hosted by the Ologuneru Muslim Community Youth Wing in 2017, describing its impact as long-lasting and life-changing.
“The people of Ologuneru and its environs are still reaping the benefits of that effort,” he said, “with many individuals advancing in their careers and contributing meaningfully to their communities.”
As co-founder of Al-Qalam Schools in the Eleyele-Ologuneru axis of Ibadan, Alhaji Otun revealed that the institution’s vision aligns with the objectives of ITP-EECDC 2025, especially in the area of capacity development rooted in Islamic principles.
“This initiative is a testament to The Muslim Congress (TMC)’s unwavering commitment to building an empowered and self-reliant Ummah,” he affirmed.
He also expressed profound appreciation to the facilitators and sponsors of the programme, praying for divine rewards for their selfless investment in community advancement.
“May Allah reward the facilitators and sponsors of this noble initiative,” he stated. “Their commitment is laying a solid foundation for a future of dignity and self-reliance.”
Referencing Islamic teachings, Alhaji Otun highlighted timeless Hadiths and Qur’anic verses that promote the virtues of hard work and economic independence:
“The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: ‘It is better for any one of you to take his rope, go to the mountain, and bring a bundle of wood on his back and sell it, than to ask someone who may or may not give him anything.’” (Bukhari and Muslim)
“…And say, ‘Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger and the believers…” (Qur’an 9:105)
He emphasized that these teachings are the bedrock of sustainable empowerment and serve as guiding principles for programmes like ITP-EECDC 2025.
Encouraging all participants to take full advantage of the sessions, he expressed optimism that the insights gained will spark local and national transformation.
“May Allah (SWT) bless this programme, unite and prosper the Ummah, and guide us all toward lasting success in this life and the hereafter,” he prayed.
Alhaji Otun concluded by urging the Muslim Ummah to support and sustain initiatives of this nature. He underscored the importance of consistent backing, strategic leadership, and communal ownership in ensuring the long-term success of empowerment-driven efforts.
