According to a news report from Voice of Nigeria, the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (NUDS) National Women's Wing has announced a heartwarming initiative to establish an orphanage and a vocational centre for widows in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.

This announcement was made by the National Chairperson of the NUDS Women's Wing, Alhaji Muirat Aribidesi, during their 2nd National Mothers' Day celebration and award presentation in Ilorin.

Aribidesi explained that the event aimed to raise funds for a Muslim orphanage and to support widows and the less privileged through vocational training. She emphasised the significance of honouring mothers and their invaluable contributions to both the Islamic community and society as a whole.

In her address, Aribidesi described devoted mothers as self-sacrificing women who dedicate their time, efforts, and resources to the upbringing of their children.

“As a mother, it is important we understand the generation our children belong and their characteristics, as our roles does not change irrespective to our generation.

“A number of issues we have today starts from the home. A well brought up child makes the family proud and goes to the society to transform the society for better,” she said.

Aribidesi quoted the Holy Prophet Muhammad as saying that: “A mother is a school. If she is well versed, the whole family will be well versed.”

Also speaking, the National President of the Society, Alhaji Rasheed Yusuf, said the global community through the United Nations Organisations has placed great value on Motherhood for their immense contributions to human development.

He commended the women for their efforts and spiritual roles in shaping the younger ones from cradle to adulthood.

The President encouraged the Society’s women’s wing to empower female members in need, and provide skill acquisition workshops, capacity-building training, and material and financial assistance to improve their standard of living.

The Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam) to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Maigoro, called on parents to be role models for their children.

Dan-Maigoro who represented the governor, observed that women deserved to be empowered in various positions in governance.

He also advised mothers to be careful and monitor their children against the negative influence of social media.

In her lecture, Prof. Mulkah Ahmed, of the Department of Science Education, University of Ilorin, emphasised the crucial role of mothers in shaping the lives of their children, families and society as a whole.

In her paper entitled: “Generational Influence: Unveiling the Power of a Devoted Mother,” she pointed out that mothers hold a prestigious and honourable position in Islam.

The Don tasks mothers with raising a righteous generation, saying that children must be entrenched in ethical and moral upbringing in knowing the difference between right and wrong stressing that teaching of Islamic education and morals must start from the home.

She also warned mothers against cursing their children whenever they do wrong, adding that what is recommended by the prophet of Islam is prayers.

Highlight of the event includes presentation of awards to women who have contributed to society.

Some of those honoured include the wife of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaja Rafat Sulu-Gambari, Ambassador Nimota Akanbi, the former envoy to the Netherlands, and Dr Saka Ayinke, the former Kwara Commissioner for Health.

The theme of the programme was “Celebrating Mother’s In Islam.”