The NASFAT Youth Wing recently convened a pivotal dialogue and partnership meeting with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the IOM Southern Regional Office in GRA, Ikeja. The meeting was led by the National Youth Secretary, Brother Olasupo Tajudeen Olalekan, alongside the Executive Secretary of the Society, Alhaji AbdulRahman Adogie.
The session focused on exploring potential partnership opportunities between the NASFAT Youth Wing and the IOM. The National Youth Secretary expressed sincere gratitude to the IOM for its support during the NASFAT Youth Conference held in Badagry, Lagos. He proposed the establishment of a formal partnership to advance their shared goals, emphasising the Society’s mission and its policy framework known as LEAD. Brother Olasupo elaborated in detail on the activities of the Youth Wing, outlining its programmes one by one.
The Executive Secretary also expressed appreciation to the IOM, specifically acknowledging Mr Ibrahim Ali and Sister Fateemah Adeyemi. Citing Islamic teachings on gratitude, he reaffirmed NASFAT’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the IOM for mutual benefit. Alhaji Adogie further noted that following the initial engagement with the IOM, several sister organisations had approached NASFAT to explore collaborative opportunities. He encouraged the IOM to ensure that the partnership extends its reach to the West African coast, highlighting the community’s dedication to positive change and the far-reaching potential of joint initiatives.
Mr Ibrahim Ali, Regional Head of IOM Southern Nigeria, provided an overview of the IOM’s role as one of the 30 entities under the United Nations. He outlined the IOM’s core mission of facilitating safe migration and travel for communities and organisations. He also detailed the IOM’s operational presence throughout Nigeria, with its headquarters located in Abuja.
Expressing strong interest in partnering with the NASFAT Youth Wing, Mr Ali identified key areas for collaboration, including Skills Acquisition, Youth Engagement, and Social Development. He affirmed the IOM’s readiness to support youth-oriented Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) initiatives such as Youth-Up and NASGA. Additionally, he underscored the importance of sport as a vital tool for engaging young people.
Representatives from the NASFAT Sisters’ Youth Wing, Sister Ummulkhayr Adeleke-Lawal and Sister Rashidat Yusuf, emphasised that the sisters are an integral part of the Women’s Wing. They expressed the Women’s Wing’s readiness to collaborate on gender-based initiatives, particularly those aimed at empowering women.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to pursue partnership opportunities and collaborative projects. This dialogue marks a significant step towards fostering a productive and enduring relationship between the NASFAT Youth Wing and the IOM.
As a token of appreciation, the NASFAT team presented souvenirs to the IOM office.
Other members of the NASFAT delegation included Brother Sulaimon Alebiosu, Brother Soile Toyosi, Brother AbdulRahman Agboola, Brother Azeez Babatunde, Sister Mariam Salaudeen-Rauf, and Sister Tawakalt Hammed.
Alhaji Shamsideen Owolabi Oseni
National Public Relations Secretary
Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society
