Nine distinguished Nigerian Muslims were today honoured with Awards of Excellence by Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women Organisation) for their contributions to the growth of Islam.
The ceremony, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Lagos State Secretariat Muslim Community Central Mosque, Lagos was the climax of the 9th edition of Al-Mu’minaat Week, held between July 20 and 28.
One of the awardees, Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo, a journalist with The Nation newspaper, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj exercise, was ably represented at the colourful event by his wife, Hajiah Hafsah Badru, family members and friends.
Alhaji Adebanjo, the only male recipient of the prestigious awards, is a seasoned media practitioner and a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the National Secretary, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN).
He is currently coordinating the Motoring and Crime desks of The Nation newspaper, and is also a media consultant to numerous Islamic and secular organisations and corporate bodies.
Another prominent awardee was Alhaja Qudrat Mahmud, one of the two wives of Alhaji Abdulrazaq Abdussalam (Abu Umar Al-Faruq), the renowned Muslim journalist and author of many Islamic literature.
Alhaja Qudrat, a vibrant entrepreneur and seasoned educator is the Director of Salsabil Books and Islamic Materials and a Principal Education Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Education with over 12 years of teaching experience.
Another esteemed personality recognised at the event was Alhaja Baseerah Rabiu, who is the wife to Dr Ismail Badmus, Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Yaba College of Technology.
“In the course of her work, Alhaja Rabiu has made a lot of indelible impacts as a teacher and an administrator in different Islamic schools. Presently, she is the Vice Principal (Hostel Administration) of Vanguards Academy, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State,” her citation read in part.
The former Amirah, The Criterion, Lagos District, Dr. (Mrs) Jameelah Yaqub, who is currently a lecturer at the Department of Economics, Lagos State University was also conferred with an award for her contributions to Islam, both in public and private sectors.
Other awardees, most of whom are successful business women who have contributed in cash and kind to the success of different Islamic institutions and organisations in Nigeria are Alhaja Zulfah Elegbede Ahmed, Alhaja Wasilat Yusuf, Alhaja Lateefah Atanda and Alhaja Sidikat Abiola Suene.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Lagos State Amirah (President) of Al-Mu’minaat, Hajia Khadijah Abdus-Salam said the award of excellence is one of the means the organisation uses to promote excellence in Muslims via hardwork and service diligence, as encouragement to our youth and the elderly alike.
“Today marks our 9th Award of Excellence. Our mothers and brothers have been carefully selected for their great achievements in theirrespective areas of specialization. They have contributed enormously to the growth of Islam in their individual capacities. Indeed, they are all models worthy of emulation,” she added.
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