The national chief imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS), Fuad Adeyemi, has urged Nigerians to embrace ethical philanthropy as a means of addressing the country’s economic challenges and promoting national development.
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Mr ‎Adeyemi made the call on Saturday in Abuja at a news conference to commemorate the 2025 National Philanthropy Day under the Faith and Philanthropy Initiative of the Society.
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‎He said the theme, “Giving with Purpose: Philanthropy Through a Faith Lens,” reflects AIS’ belief that philanthropy must go beyond financial donations to include meaningful connections, measurable impact, and shared prosperity.
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‎”The theme reflects a principle deeply rooted in Al-Habibiyyah’s mission that true philanthropy goes beyond giving money.
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‎”It is about giving meaning to lives, building genuine human connections, and ensuring that every act of kindness leads to lasting change and shared prosperity,” he said.
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‎The society has, over the past seven months, carried out a nationwide sensitisation tour across selected states to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible giving among faith communities.
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‎The Imam said the engagements revealed that Nigerians were naturally generous, but they sought assurance that their contributions would be applied responsibly to achieve a visible impact.
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‎He said the society had also undertaken study tours in Turkey and Malaysia to understudy effective global philanthropic models, adding that another tour would soon be held in Morocco to strengthen its impact strategies.
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Mr ‎Adeyemi said philanthropy should be seen as a strategic investment in human capital and a complementary tool for economic growth in support of government efforts in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social welfare.
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‎He urged the federal government to officially designate November 15 as National Philanthropy Day, as done in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States, to institutionalise ethical giving as a national value.
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‎The Islamic scholar also called for the creation of an office of religious affairs to coordinate faith-based initiatives, promote interfaith collaboration, and enhance the role of religious platforms in sustainable development.
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‎He appealed to government agencies at all levels to work more closely with faith-based organisations to strengthen social protection programmes targeted at poverty reduction and the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
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Mr ‎Adeyemi urged the private sector to broaden its support beyond the entertainment industry by investing in interfaith programmes that promote unity, inclusivity, and social cohesion.
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‎He said effective data mobilisation and management were essential for poverty-alleviation efforts, calling for closer government collaboration in this area.
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‎“If every Nigerian gives with purpose and heart, guided by ethical principles and clear goals, we can lift millions out of poverty, build resilient communities, and accelerate development in line with the SDGs,” he added.
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The event was attended by Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, NGOs, entrepreneurs, and academics. 

(NAN)