Seven Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officers have been awarded diploma certificates after training to become Islamic priests by the Kwara College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) in Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the college?s Centre for Degree and Professional Programmes (CDPP) trained the officers, with the graduation ceremony held on Tuesday in Ilorin.

Dr Sa?ad Hadi, Kwara CAILS Provost, said during the ceremony that their graduation marked the beginning of their journey to becoming leaders in the Muslim community of their respective military bodies.

Hadi said the role of ?Imam?, the prayer leader in mosques or priest, was one that carries immense responsibility and the call goes beyond leading congregational prayers in the mosque.

?An ?Imam? is a beacon of guidance, counsellor, teacher and a role model for those who look up to them.

?These officers have undertaken a rigorous and diverse programme designed to instil in them the knowledge, wisdom and spiritual discipline necessary to serve their fellow officers, communities and nation at large,? he said.

The Provost noted that the programme had equipped the new ?Imam? with more abilities.

?These are the abilities to lead prayers with a deep understanding of Islamic teachings, ethics and principles of compassion, justice and unity that form the bedrock of Islam.

?It is through these values that they will contribute to the moral and spiritual well-being of their peers and to the peace and cohesion of the society,? he added.

Hadi commended the efforts of the instructors, mentors and all those who contributed to the success of the programme.

He advised the graduating officers to uphold integrity, serve selflessly and inspire others through their actions, saying the title of ?Imam? is a life-long commitment to service, humility and leadership.

?I encourage you to remain steadfast in your faith, to be pillars of strength in times of adversity and to always strive for excellence in both your professional and spiritual endeavors.?

Malam Afolabi Suleiman, the CAILS Registrar, later presented the certificate of diploma to the graduating officers.

NAN reports that the event was marked with activities, such as recitation from the Holy Quran by Yusufiyan Khalid, one of the graduands.

Other graduands and their locations include Yahaya Muktar from NAF Camp in Abuja, Tijani Adamu from Agarju camp in Makurdi, and Halidu Sufyan from NAF Headquarters in Abuja.

The rest are Attahiru Mustapha from Makurdi, Yusuf Harunan from NAFCON in Kaduna, Umar Yusuf from CRG Camp in Gombe and Ahmad Suleiman from 7 Life camp in Minna. (NAN)