The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) [STATE/CHAPTER] brought together young Muslims for its 2026 Youth Camp, a multi-day gathering that combined lectures, practical skills training and recreation under the theme of building resilient, responsible young people.
The camp opened with a welcome address by the Ameerah, who set the tone for the programme by charging participants to approach the days ahead with open minds and a readiness to learn. She urged the young attendees to see the camp not merely as a break from routine but as an opportunity to strengthen their faith and their sense of duty to family and community.
One of the most closely followed sessions of the camp was “Fear, Trauma and Iman,” delivered by Barr. Orolu-Balogun. Speaking to a full hall, the legal practitioner examined how fear and unresolved trauma shape the choices young people make, and how faith can serve as an anchor rather than an avoidance. Participants were encouraged to name what frightens them instead of burying it, and to understand that seeking help — spiritual and professional — is not a weakness of iman.
The theme was carried forward by Dr. Iyanda in a session titled “From Fear to Responsibility: Practical Steps for the Youths.” Moving the conversation from diagnosis to action, the facilitator walked participants through concrete steps for turning anxiety into accountability, covering personal discipline, decision-making and the responsibilities that come with growing into adulthood. The session drew active participation, with campers raising questions on schooling, career choices and family expectations.
The camp also devoted time to practical competence. A first aid session, facilitated by one of the medical doctors among the sisters, took participants through emergency response basics — what to do before help arrives, how to keep a casualty stable, and the common mistakes well-meaning bystanders make. Campers took turns practising the techniques, an exercise that several described as one of the most useful parts of the programme.
Organisers were careful to balance the intellectual weight of the sessions with room to breathe. Between lectures, campers took part in games and dance moments that filled the venue with laughter and gave participants a chance to bond across schools, neighbourhoods and age groups. The lighter periods proved as memorable as the formal sessions, and were widely credited with helping the young attendees settle in and open up.
The 2026 edition closed with participants expressing appreciation to the organisers, facilitators and the FOMWAN leadership for a programme that addressed the realities of young people without lecturing at them. Organisers thanked the resource persons who gave their time, and indicated that the camp would return, with plans to build on this year’s emphasis on mental wellbeing and personal responsibility.