* Senator Salis, Oloyede, Ebiti, Yusuf Ali, Alao, others celebrate Oladejo’s legacy at grand finale
Prominent Muslim leaders, accomplished professionals and dignitaries gathered at the Radisson Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos over the weekend for the grand finale of celebrations marking the 80th birthday of Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN).
The event, held on Sunday, June 29, brought together the crème de la crème of Islamic and professional circles, paying glowing tributes to a man widely regarded as a pillar of service to Islam and humanity.
Muslim News recalls that a week earlier, the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria had organised a special prayer session in honour of the octogenarian, during which heartfelt praises and prayers were offered by various speakers.
At the grand finale, the outpouring of accolades continued, highlighting Alhaji Oladejo’s decades-long contributions to faith, leadership, and community development.
The celebration was chaired by Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
In his remarks, Prof. Oloyede lauded Alhaji Oladejo’s enduring commitment to Islamic values and national service.
In attendance were family members, close friends, associates, and mentees of the celebrant. Among the distinguished guests were Senator Shuaib Salis (Ogun Central); renowned legal practitioner, Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN; Principal partner, M.A. Banire & Associates, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN); Deputy President 1, MUSWEN, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti; Deputy President II, MUSWEN, Alhaji Thabit ‘Wale Sonaike.
Others who also graced the reception include the Managing Director/CEO of Qibla International Services Limited, Alhaji Abdulfattah AbdulMajeed; Aare Musulumi of Ijebuland, Barr. Musibau Oyefeso; Executive Secretary, MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya; Alhaji Y.KO.Kareem, Alhaji Juma’t Ali Oluwafuyi, Alhaji Fatai Owodunni.
Leadership of notable Muslim Organisations were also represented. They were UNILAG Muslim Alumni (UMA), led her President, Dr. Mumini Alao; Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) represented by its Executive Chairman, Alhaji Kamor Disu; The Companion Muslim Organisation and their female counterpart, The Criterion; Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), current and immediate past presidents of NASFAT, Alhaji AbdulWahid AbdulRauf and Alhaji Niyi Yusuf, among others, honoured the octogenarian Muslim leader.
Oladejo is privileged with long life: Imam Falomo
A lecture titled, ‘The parable of privilege and responsibility’, was delivered by the Chief Imam, Falomo Lagos Central Mosque, Dr Tajudeen Adebayo, who described the celebrator as being among the few privileged people on earth that Allah has given plenty in life.
“He is privileged because he has been given ‘1’ and several zeros. That 1 is the blessing of Islam. It is the basket which can contain all other blessings. Whoever is not given Islam, no matter how much other blessings he has, he is just gathering zeros. I wonder which bank will honor a bunch of zeros on a cheque leave. Baba, you are blessed,” he said.
“One of the zeros, that adds value to your one is long life. By all standards, 80 is an age of privilege whether in mundane life or spiritual realm. In every society, 80-year-old man/woman is an elder statesman, who deserves all respects.”
The guest speaker who is also a Deputy Director in the Languages Department at Voice of Nigeria said Islam recognises long life as a privilege, citing the Hadith of the Prophet to assert his claim.
He used the opportunity to remind the celebrant that he is a critical stakeholder in the Muslim community, and his leadership position comes with huge responsibilities.
“Leadership is a call to service and a great burden. If only we know the enormity of leadership, we would not be seeing every dick and harry running for this running for that,” he said.
Dr. Adebayo further harped on the unity of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, saying the leadership has the responsibility to unite Muslims with all the resources within their reach.
Alhaji Oladejo admirably combines so many attributes: Senator Salis
Speaking with Muslim News on the sidelines of the event, Shuaib-Afolabi Salis representing Ogun Central in the 10th National Assembly described Alhaji Oladejo as many things rolled into one, saying he had admirably combined so many attributes.
“He is a man that is extremely humble despite his many accomplishments. He is also a man who is deeply religious, being devout in his service to his Creator, and yet being a pillar, a bridge of interfaith conversation,” he said.
“Today, he has made impacts in the society, not just in the socioeconomic development of the country with his role at the Stock Exchange, he has done so in the area of mentoring younger ones, providing pathway to younger people to rise to leadership positions.”
Senator Salis, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, prayed for longer life and many happy returns for Alhaji Oladejo.
“We just started the celebration,” he said. “We will come back 10 years time for midterm, and 20 years time when he is 100 to celebrate again.”
He advised young people to study the biography of Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, who started from a humble beginning in Ibadan and has been able to overcome the challenges of his upbringing, in terms of not having material resources.
“He is a product of scholarship. He became accomplished not through ‘yahoo-yahoo’. He became celebrated not on account of cutting corners. He followed the due process. So, the message for the youths is to see him as a role model, study his path, and then try to find a path that is in that direction,” the lawmaker concluded.
Oladejo has long history of service to Islam, humanity: Yusuf Ali, SAN
Also speaking, the Kuliya of Ilorin Emirate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali, SAN, said Alhaji Oladejo has a long history of service to both Islam and humanity, even before assuming the position of MUSWEN President.
“He has always been a Muslim activist, a jihadist, a philanthropist, and somebody who has the heart of giving, and his humility is quite commendable. Given his age, the way he relates with those of us that are quite younger than him, you think we are friends.
“I wish him longer life and good health. May Allah prolong his life, but even prolong his health and wealth longer than his own life. May Allah endow him more because he will do more for Islam and humanity.”
The respected lawyer encouraged Muslims to emulate Alhaji Oladejo, noting he represents the best of characters.
Alhaji Ebiti lauds Oladejo’s leadership, vision for Muslim inclusiveness
Deputy President I of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, has showered praises on Alhaji Oladejo, describing him as a model of integrity and transparency in Islamic leadership.
In an interview with Muslim News, Alhaji Ebiti, who is also the Pro-Chancellor, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, lauded the celebrant’s commitment to consultation and collaborative leadership, noting that such qualities have driven notable progress within MUSWEN.
“He’s a very transparent, honest and consistent Muslim,” Ebiti stated, adding, “He consults, and that is very important. I appreciate that. We consult, dialogue, and we’ve been able to make so many changes together.”
Highlighting his working relationship with his President (Alhaji Oladejo), Alhaji Ebiti said, “He has a knack for sending me to represent him at some occasions. I think he’s trying to showcase me because I am his deputy.”
Concluding his remarks, he offered heartfelt prayers for the MUSWEN President: “I wish him long life, good health, and happiness.”
Oladejo is people-oriented person, exemplary leader: UMA President
For his part, Dr. Mumini Alao, also corroborated the testimonies, saying Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo is “a very passionate person when it comes to matters of Islam.”
“Not only that, he brings his professionalism and wealth of experience as somebody who got to the top as far as the Nigerian Stock Exchange is concerned,” he said.
Dr. Alao, who is the current President of the UNILAG Muslim Alumni and Executive Consultant at Complete Sports, said he has known the celebrant for close to 29 years.
“That was when he was President of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA), and I was the Public Relations Officer of the Association. I worked with him for four years. Thereafter, he handed over to other people. But he was always with us. After some time, we decided to bring him back to the system to make him the Chairman for our Board of Trustees (BoT).”
Dr. Alao described Alhaji Oladejo as a people-oriented person, an exemplary leader, and a fine professional.
“We thank Allah that He has spared him to clock 80 years, and we pray that Allah will give him more decades for him to continue to serve Islam and humanity,” the UMA President prayed.
Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo’s 80th birthday is more than a celebration of age – it is a celebration of a legacy built on faith, discipline, integrity, and unwavering service to Islam and society. Read his interview HERE and biography HERE
More beautiful faces at the reception
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