Olabisi Onabanjo University Muslim Community on Friday, September 2, 2022 commissioned a newly built ultra-modern mosque, named As-Sujood Mosque.
The University’s new mosque situated at the Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, was singlehandedly built by a Muslim philanthropist and the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Alhaja Tamramat Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Muslim News can authoritatively confirm.
The beautiful edifice was commissioned by the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, and saw in attendance dignitaries from within and outside the university community.
In his sermon, Sheikh Ahmad implored the users of the new mosque to sustain its purpose, which is to worship and further stated “the Mosque is not meant only for Salat; it is must be an educational centre, a place to dispense justice, a place for recreation, a place to rest from stress, a place of serenity, a reconciliation centre and a place to bring social justice and ethical orientation to the people”.
Some of the guests included the Pro–Chancellor OOU, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, Vice Chancellor OOU, Prof. Ganiyu O. Olatunde, Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka, The Ebumawe of Ago –Iwoye, Oba AbdurRasaq Adenuga.
Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo and other top officials and members of the organisation, including Vice President, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti; Alhaji Wale Sonaike, Alhaji Zikrullah Alimi, Alhaji Kamal Akintunde, Lekan Bello, among others graced the historic event.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Olabisi Onabanjo University Muslim Community, Professor Mikail Lasun Gbadamosi, who doubled as the chief host, expressed his heartfelt joy for having a befitting edifice as house of worship.
He equally thanked the donor, Hajia Belo-Olusoga, and Emeritus Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, Major-General S. A Awosanya Rtd, Alhaji Safiriyu Araba, Late Oba Sanusi, Barrister Rahman Ajia, Alhaji Tele Ogunjobi, World Assembly of Muslim Youths, WAMY, and a host of others for their prominent roles in envisioning and developing an Islamic Centre for the university.
“Indeed, today is a day of joy and honour for me and the university community for the uncommon privilege to have this very befitting edifice as a house of worship. The name, As-Sujood signifies prostration to Allah. The turning of the sod on July 30th, 2021 was like yesterday.
AlhamduliLlahi, the donor, Hajia Tamramat Mosun Belo-Olusoga, the immediate past Pro-Chancellor fulfilled her promise within the specific time proposed for the project. This is one of the many giant strides recorded during her tenure. I want to immensely thank our VC, Professor Ganiyu O. Olatunde for facilitating the project”, he concluded.
However, the Vice Chancellor solicited for actualisation of the following projects; construction of administrative block and hostels for Muslim students, provision of buses for the activities of the Muslim Community and MSSN, OOU branch, and construction of befitting mosques for Ayetoro and Ijagun campuses.
How the journey began
On Friday, July 30, 2021, Alhaja Belo-Olusoga, turned the sod for the construction of Sujood Mosque at a ceremony attended by members of the university community, where she announced that the project was expected to be completed within 44 weeks.
At the groundbreaking ceremony signaling the formal commencement of the construction of the mosque, the Muslim philanthropist disclosed that she donated the mosque in appreciation of God’s grace and mercy upon her.
She said, though she had always wanted to build a mosque, the dream crystallized after she survived a serious illness a few years ago.
According to the former Pro-Chancellor, Almighty Allah preserved her life for a reason and gave her a chance to rededicate herself to the cause of humanity.
– By Muslim News Nigeria with additional information from Bukola Hameed
PICTURES
