* Erects three-storey building for missioners
* Empowers 100 vulnerable members with N10m
*Honours members for years of dedication to society
To enhance the delivery of the responsibilities vested on its mission board, one of Nigeria’s foremost faith-based organisations, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), Lagos State Council has commissioned a new house purposely built for its missioners.
The house, a three-storey building with nine flats, located at Fagbile in the Ijegun area of Lagos was unveiled on Sunday, which climaxed the activities marking the 100th anniversary of Nigeria’s foremost Society.
The commissioning saw in attendance members of the national executive council led by its president, Aare Dr AbdurRafiu Ademola Sanni; and members from all the 39 branches across the state, who beautifully adorned white and green attires.
At the 3-in-1 event which was also attended by Imam/Missioner, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Northern States Council, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, no fewer than 100 vulnerable members of the society were empowered with N100,000 each to assist their businesses.
Some of the aged members of Ansar-Ud-Deen also received centenary honour for their selfless efforts and contributions to the growth of the society in Lagos State.
The Chairman of Lagos Council, Alhaji AbdurRahman Olabode Salaudeen welcomed members and guests to the event that climaxed the centenary celebration in Lagos, which began in August during the press briefing held to announce activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Society.
“We are here to celebrate our centenary anniversary. As you are aware, Ansar-Ud-Deen will be 100 years old on the 21st December 2023. We started the programme three months ago. Today’s event marks the climax of the centenary celebration for the Lagos council with this three-in-one event,” the Chairman said.
Centenary Celebration: Ansar-Ud-Deen commissions Mission House in Lagos
The unveiling was held on Sunday, Nov. 19, as part of its activities marking its 100th anniversary. The three-storey building located at Fagbile, ijegun area of Lagos, was built for the clerics of d Society. pic.twitter.com/Zm51xHieMb
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) November 19, 2023
He said, “Today, we would be commissioning a three-storey building, about nine flats of two-bedroom apartments built for our missioners. It’s located in the Fagbile, Ijegun area of Lagos. it was completed last month.
“When you see a cleric who is well taken care of, he’ll have enough time to do research. In Nigeria today, we lack spiritual awareness. People go to churches or mosques but they aren’t spiritually inclined and this is responsible for many social vices in our society. But when you’re religiously inclined, you will be morally sound to know what is good from what is bad. That’s why we have chosen to give our missioners shelter to live comfortably and take charge of the spiritual aspect of the assignment.”
The council chairman urged the missioners to make good use of the facility, envisaging that the gesture would encourage the society to do more for them.
Speaking on the empowerment, Alhaji Salaudeen said, “Today at this event, we would be empowering 100 vulnerable members of the society with N10 million. Each of them will smile home with N100,000 each.”
He said the N10 million took the council three months to raise among members from the 39 branches across Lagos.
He appealed to the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring the money is used towards enhancing their way of living, particularly in their businesses.
“The last part of today’s celebration is to reward members who have worked hard to ensure the organisation is always on the move. Few among the elders will be honoured today. We are doing this not just to reward our members but to complement the government’s effort in eradicating poverty in the country.
“We believe the government alone cannot do it. That’s why Ansar-Ud-Deen deems it fit to complement the government’s effort through our empowerment programme.
“There are so many ways to tackle poverty in society but the major one is empowerment. It is one of the solutions to poverty eradication. Someone who has something to do will not be engaged in negative activities. That’s why we came up with the initiative to encourage our members, especially the vulnerable among them. This is the first step. We hope to continue on an annual basis to ensure that we take people out of poverty.”
The chairman Lagos chapter called on the government to channel its poverty alleviation programme through religious institutions that know the vulnerable among their members.
Ansar-Ud-Deen empowers 100 members with N10m #AnsarUdDeen Society of Nigeria Lagos Council has empowered 100 of its members with N10 million to engage in businesses. The initiative was part of its activities marking the 100th anniversary of Nigeria's foremost Society. pic.twitter.com/RoFPuXjz82
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) November 19, 2023
“We must commend the government but I think, they should partner with religious institutions in the distribution of funds for empowerment. We realise that most of the government money for empowerment goes into the wrong hands in most cases. We know the poor of the poorest among our members. We can easily identify those who need the empowerment the more.”
Also speaking at the event, the president of the society worldwide, Aare Dr. Sanni, who graced the occasion with members of the national executive council, thanked Allah for sparing the lives of every member to witness the centenary anniversary.
According to him, In order to show gratitude to Almighty Allah for this great favour, we decided to empower 100 people with N100,000 each. As a start-up programme, this is our contribution to the young ones who have the ideas but no money to kick-start whatever business ideas they have.
He noted that assisting the poor is one of the exemplary characteristics of Muslims, which is based on the teaching of the Islamic religion adding, “We all know the situation of the country today, especially with the removal of petroleum subsidy. Things haven’t been easy with many homes and we believe that it’s our responsibility as a religious organisation to assist our members with these funds.
He lauded the initiative of the Lagos council for building a house for the missionaries to make them live a comfortable life.
“The purpose of our creation is to worship Allah. And to be able to know how to worship Allah, we need to guidance of our Ulamaa (scholars) who are vast in the knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith. Consequently, we believe strongly that we must make them conformable in terms of their remuneration, accommodation and peace of mind, among other good things of life.”
The president commended the Lagos state government for the palliatives given to the society, saying that they were well-distributed among the members even though not enough.
“The fact remains that it’s too little, a little too late. This is because our membership strength in Lagos alone runs into millions but we were given 40 bags of rice. Still, it shows the government’s good intentions. Hence, the government should allow religious organisations to handle palliatives distribution to the poor among their members,” he added.
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