Gentlemen and Women of the Press, good morning and welcome to this Press Conference. The purpose of the conference is to intimate the Nigerian public with the various activities being planned by the management of the Islamic Education Trust towards the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of its establishment as an Islamic organization in Nigeria.
The Islamic Education Trust (IET) was established on Friday 17th November 1969 (Ramadan 15, 1389AH) in Sokoto, Nigeria, by three founding trustees – Alhaji Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Lemu, late Hajiya B. Aisha Lemu, and late Alhaji Sani Ashafa; with the vision of instilling the correct teachings of Islam into the present and future generations for peaceful co-existence. Since its inception, the three (3) thematic areas of focus of the Islamic Education Trust have been Da’wah (public enlightenment on the correct understanding of Islam), Education and Human Welfare irrespective of faith.
This is in order to realize its mission of conveying to the people of Nigeria and the wider world the Message of Self-surrender (Islam) to the One God; providing high quality education for Muslims; and developing God-given potentials for good, thereby contributing to the righteous development of the nation and humanity. To achieve these, the organization currently has a staff strength of over 500, comprising both Muslims and Christians across its major departments. The Dawah Institute of Nigeria (www.dawahinstitute.org), an internationally recognized institute for its ground-breaking efforts in research, training, and development of resources and methods for da’wah is the public enlightenment arm of the Islamic Education Trust. The educational programmes of IET are delivered through its established Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools; as well as its Weekend Schools.
These include New Horizons Nursery and Primary School Minna, New Horizons College Minna and Sunrise International School Abuja. As for its humanitarian activities, this is carried out by the welfare department of the IET, which currently sponsors over 100 orphans in different schools, assists in paying medical bills, providing food aid, amongst other forms of humanitarian assistance.
From its humble beginnings 50 years ago, Alhamdulillah, IET has grown into an organisation whose activities and impact have stretched across every region in Nigeria to other countries in Africa and on other continents; with both national and global recognition. Thus, the trustees and management of IET consider it worthwhile to commemorate its Golden Jubilee of existence with a package of activities spanning the months of December 2019 through January 2020, in sha Allah.
The Commemoration activities are as follows:
1. New Horizons College (NHC) Alumni Marriage Workshop: This event is slated for Saturday 21st December 2019, 9am – 2pm, at Sunrise International School Abuja. Co-organized by the New Horizons College Old Students Association (NEHOSA), the expected attendees are alumni of NHC Minna.
2. New Horizons Nursery and Primary School (NHNPS) Alumni Get-Together: This event which is the launch of the NHNPS alumni is a great homecoming for all graduates of the school from 1986 to 2018. The launch of the alumni as part of the event for the celebration of IET @ 50 is arranged to celebrate the contribution of IET in giving qualitative education to Nigerlites. It is slated for Thursday 26th December 2019, 10am – 1pm, at Tafsir Hall, IET Minna, Niger State. The expected attendees are alumni of NHNPS Minna.
3. Interfaith Seminar: This event which brings together Muslim and Christian religious leaders seeks to discuss ‘’Societal Peace and Development: The role of interreligious Dialogue’’. The conference is aimed at exploring divergent views of the religious leaders on the importance of dialogue and collaboration in engendering peace and development in the society. This shall be held at the Tafsir Hall, IET Minna, Niger State, on Saturday 4th January, 2020; from 10am to 2pm.
4. Neighbourhood Children Funfair: This is a fun-filled event for children from the neighbourhood. It shall be held from 9am – 1pm on Sunday 12th January 2020. The venue for the event is New Horizons College Minna, and expected attendees are children living in the neighbourhood close to IET.
5. Interschool Quiz Competition: There shall be an interschool quiz competition involving 12 schools in Minna, The inter school quiz competition also slated as part of the events for the IET @ 50 celebration is intended to foster unity amongst private schools in Minna. The goal of IET with respect to education in Niger state is to ensure that every child in the state has quality education. Through partnering with other schools, ideas and methodologies are shared to better the lives of learners in the state. The program is scheduled for 24th and 25th January 2020, at New Horizons Nursery and Primary School (NHNPS), from 9am to 1pm daily. 6. IET Weekend School Alumni Programme: The IET Weekend school which was launched in 1984 has to date trained over 7000 Muslim students drawn from various schools within Minna in Mathematics, English Language, Islamic Citizenship, Moral education amongst others. This Alumni programme is meant to bring together the alumni of the programme to celebrate its past achievements and consolidate on future plans. The event is slated for Sunday 12th January 2020 at the Tafsir Hall, IET Minna, Niger State, from 9am to 1pm.
7. Visitation to Orphanage: There shall be visitation to the children at the Minna Orphanage on Wednesday 15th January 2020, from 9am to 12 pm.
8. Medical Outreach: This programme, which will be managed by the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) in collaboration with IET will cover Cataract surgery for 25 patients within the Neighbourhood of IET. This is in additional to the screening and treatment for other common illnesses such as malaria, hypertension, diabetes, etc.
9. History of IET Exhibition: An exhibition detailing the journey of the Islamic Education Trust from its humble beginnings in 1969 to date shall be on display at the Tafsir Hall, IET Minna, Niger State, from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th January 2020. The exhibition shall be open by 4pm – 6pm on Friday, 2pm – 5pm on Saturday and 10am – 2pm on Sunday.
10. IET@50 Commemoration Event: This is the highlight of the Golden Jubilee Celebration. The event is scheduled to hold on Saturday 18th January 2020 at Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna Niger State, from 9am to 2pm. The event shall feature lectures, Award presentations to both Muslims and Christian organisations and individuals, amongst others.
The event shall be graced by eminent dignitaries such as His Excellency the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello; the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, The Honourable Speaker and members of the Niger State House of Assembly; and former Nigerian Head of State General AbdulSalami A. Abubakar. Royal fathers of the day include His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III ; their Royal Highnesses Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; the Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR; and other leading Emirs from within and outside Niger State. Also, expected at the occasion are former Governors and Administrators of Niger State, as well as other dignitaries and friends of the IET from across Nigeria.
Besides these activities organized by the headquarters here in Minna, there are other activities organized across the country where we have branches and collaborating partners. These include Leadership Roundtable discussions, Award Presentations amongst others.
In conclusion, we want to use this opportunity to formally invite you the press men and women to the various programs that have been lined up for the celebration.
Long Live IET!Long Live Niger State!!Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
SIGNEDAlh. Arzika Abubakar Rimau
