Lekki Muslim Community (LEMU) has commissioned N200 million classrooms and hostel accommodation for the students of Lekki Qur’an Memorization College.
The commissioning which held on Sunday at the school premises inside the Lekki Central Mosque, Lagos saw in attendance, executive members of the community, special guests, Ulamah (Muslim scholars), including the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Babafemi Hamzat, ably represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Hon. Jebe Abdullahi.
The College, founded in 2015 and became operational in 2016 runs a daily Hifz-ul-Qur’an (Qur’an Memorization) programme for both children and adults, with weekend classes that hold separately between 9 am and 1 pm every Saturday and Sunday.
Muslim News gathered that the first set of students – numbering five, graduated in 2019, while the second set, seven in number, are set to graduate on Sunday, September 12, after they have completed the memorization of the Noble Qur’an.
The President of LEMU, Dr. Kamoru Omotosho, while welcoming guests to the historic occasion said one of the objectives of his administration is to improve on the existing administrative structure and ensure the sustainability of the Ummah to make the beautiful religion of Islam lead by example.
According to him, we are not too shy to admit that we have not gotten the wherewithal to achieve these lofty objectives singlehandedly. We rely on the participation and support of the best minds in our Muslim community to assist us in realizing these dreams promptly.
“With utmost humility, may I express our appreciation to the chairman and members of the Board of Trustees and previous members of LEMU Executive on whose shoulders we stand upon to achieve what we are witnessing today.
“We have benefitted immensely from members of the Muslim community as a whole and profusely thank you all,” he added.
Alhaji Omotosho specially singled out few names due to time constraints, for what he described as their unique contribution towards the completion of the project.
He said, “The BOT Chairman, Retired Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla made the chunk of the contribution at the first fundraising exercise. Funding projects in this Mosque is virtually in his DNA! Alhaji Razack Adeola, the Chairman of the Special Project Committee and his members exceeded our expectations in raising funds to accelerate the speed of execution of the College Hostel project. Our Chief Imam and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, who has been passionate in his vision for a world-class Arabic and Islamic Institute has been ever consistent in his efforts to make it a reality.
“Engr. Lekin Adedo, the CEO of Diamond Engineering Company, who is never tired of saying yes to our requests with unparalleled generosity with his resources. You will never lack by God’s grace. Finally, the Chairman of the Project Committee, Vice President, Dr. Labinjo who has consistently put in all he has got in time, talent and treasure, just to make sure that this will not be an uncompleted or abandoned project. It is only Almighty Allah that can compensate you. He will make it as acts of Ibadah for you and your wife, who has been assisting directly and remotely,” he added.
Sustaining the Project
On the sustainability of the structure, the Chairman of the Special Project Committee, Alhaji Razack Adeola said the leadership of LEMU has formed a strong governing board with members consisting people of unquestionable characters, who will be dedicated and committed to the project.
Muslim News learnt that the members of the Governing Council, headed by Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State was also inaugurated at the commissioning.
In his speech, Alhaji Adeola said, “Most of the people that gave us money for the building kept asking the same question, ‘would you be able to sustain it?’ This is because they have seen so many cases where multi-million naira structures will be built and within a year or two, they would have become decrepit. ‘What are your plans for sustainability?’ They asked us.
“And what we kept telling them is that we will have such a strong board of governors that will be dedicated and committed. We’ll also not leave them alone, as we’ll work with them. We’ll ensure they’re accountable. That persuaded some of them to donate. We must make this institution a sustainable one.
“Second message is for members of the board of governors as well as LEMU executives to realize that management, especially finance is a field, different from reading and understanding the Qur’an. We must know when to bring in experts to assist us in applying sustainable models. We don’t want a situation whereby in the next 12 months, we’ll have to call some people to come to donate again. Let us run it like a proper school, let us know how to manage funds”, he noted.
The Chairman, Special Project Committee, therefore, called on the students whose goals of enrolling at the College is to become Hufaadh – complete memorisers of the Noble Qur’an – to study, master, and understand the Qur’an.
“My third advice goes to the students who want to become Hufaadh. You don’t know how lucky you are. Most of us have advanced to some extent in age and are always happy when we see you reciting the Qur’an. We wish we could be like you. We envy you more than you envy us.
“In fact, you don’t envy anyone because the knowledge of Qur’an would have taught you that this life is meaningless, because we come with nothing, we go with nothing. Please, study the Qur’an, master and understand it so that you can become worthy and dedicated leaders,” he added.
Meeting Global standards of excellence
In his remarks, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the College, Mr. Adeniji (SAN) expressed joy for the privilege of being invited as a special guest of the occasion and his new position.
According to him, “When I received the invitation letter, I was extremely joyous. It is not because I was invited as a Special Guest, but upon realization of the immense benefits and development that this Qur’an memorization College will bestow on the Muslim Ummah in Lagos State and Nigeria.
“This wonderful and rare project will serve as an outstanding platform for numerous Muslim children in Nigeria to develop a real interest in Qur’an memorization. It will also serve as a precursor to growing Islam in the State and beyond.”
The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State appreciated the people who contributed and committed their funds and time to ensure that the project was successfully achieved and became a reality.
He said, “As Allah has promised that, whoever spends and takes his time for the cause of Allah would be rewarded here and in the hereafter. I pray and beseech Allah grants you the abundant reward and blessings you hope for, both in this life and in the hereafter.
“I must confess that when I was first approached, I was worried about being able to cope with the responsibility, considering my very busy schedule and I am sure that was the same for many other board members.
“However, after listening to Dr. Omotosho and Dr. Labinjo and learning of the contributions and sacrifices of selfless Muslims towards this building, I was sold. I asked myself that if people can make these sacrifices, who am I to run away from my own contribution to the cause of Allah. With your support, we shall, in sha Allah make it a success.”
Adeniji (SAN) noted that the Governing Council aims to ensure that the College meets global standards of excellence in its teaching and discipline so that the entire Ummah will be proud of this Institution.
“We aim to set high standards for the college and will ensure they do not drop in any way. We will also ensure that the aims and objectives of establishing this College are not misinterpreted by the un-informed and so we will be very vigilant in ensuring compliance with our rules and regulations.
“We understand that this College and other educational institutions under the Board of Governors oversight are meant to key into the broader vision of the Lekki Muslim Ummah Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies and in shaa Allah, I predict that this vision will come to fruition in our lifetime for the greater benefit and glory of Lekki Muslim Ummah and the entire Muslim community,” he added.
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