Al-Mu’minaat marks 30 years of impact, honours Muslim achievers at grand lecture

* Mentorship, legacy, and service highlight anniversary celebration

The 30th anniversary of Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation was marked in a grand style on Sunday, October 26, at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, with an inspiring lecture and an award presentation ceremony that radiated glamour, class, and impact.

Held under the theme “Nurturing the Next Generation through Mentorship: Al-Mu’minaat Lead,” the event honoured outstanding Muslim personalities for their consistent generosity, compassion, and contributions to community development, Islamic propagation, and national growth.

Distinguished guests, awardees, and leaders of Al-Mu’minaat from across the federation graced the event, with honourees drawn from diverse sectors including law, media, medicine, politics, academia, and private enterprise.

Among the notable awardees were Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN); Engr. AbdulHafis Gbolahan Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing; Pharm. Shakirat Adeosun, Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board; Alhaja Chief (Mrs.) Lateefah Gbajabiamila, a veteran nurse, political trailblazer, and women’s advocate; Hon. Ismail Monsuru Akinloye, Executive Chairman, Eredo LCDA and Dr. Ismail Abdussalam, consultant public health physician.

Others included Dr. Muse Fadeyi, public health expert and CEO of Lekfad Medical Centre Center; Alhaja Shafi’i Busurat Adeola Alli, co-founder of Serenity Steps Counselling; Hon. Rasaq Olusola Ajala, the immediate Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye LCDA; Hajia Nyma Akashat-Zibiri, lawyer and media personality; Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo, senior correspondent at The Nation newspaper; and Alhaji Rasheed Abubakar, publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, among several other distinguished personalities.

Muslim News gathered that aside from the awards ceremony and fundraising for the organisation’s Women Development Centre (WDC), the highlight of the event was a thought-provoking lecture delivered by Hajia Aminah Yahya, Director of Education and Vice Principal at Egbe Junior High School, Lagos.

Hajia Yahya, founder of Aminah Yahya Foundation, said mentorship is both a duty and a lasting legacy, urging Muslim women to raise future leaders with wisdom, intentionality, and love. READ HER FULL PRESENTATION HERE

Awards based on merit, not sentiment – National Amirah

The convener and National Amirah Al-Mu’minaat, Hajia Jelilat AbdulHamid, congratulated the recipients of awards, saying that the selection was purely based on merit and verifiable service to humanity.

Addressing the awardees, Hajia AbdulHamid stated that the process was transparent, thorough, and devoid of sentiment or personal bias.

According to her, “To the awardees who have been selected for this special recognition, I wish to state unequivocally that your esteemed personalities were carefully nominated through a painstaking process. It was devoid of sentiment and personal yardsticks, but based on transparent, accountable, and verifiable contributions in service to Allah and humanity.”

She praised them for their consistent acts of generosity, compassion, and service in the areas of community development, education, support for the less privileged, and overall contributions to Islam and national growth.

“Your actions exemplify the highest ideals of Islamic philanthropy,” she noted. “Truly, your deeds reflect the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): ‘The most beloved of people to Allah is the one who brings the most benefit to others’ (At-Tabarani).”

Hajia AbdulHamid said the awards were a token of appreciation from Al-Mu’minaat to encourage the recipients to continue their good work and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Ex-VON Director congratulates awardees

The Chairman of the occasion and retired Director at Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji AbdurRazzaq Adegboyega Abdul Salaam, popularly known as Abu Umar, congratulated the awardees whose works have advanced Islamic values and community development.

“We are here to honour Muslim achievers who have been performing excellently well in their different callings. The recognition is meant to encourage them to continue impacting lives and also mobilise others to emulate them in doing good,” he said.

Awardees laud Al-Mu’minaat’s impact, say recognition is a call to greater service

Recipients of the awards expressed deep appreciation to the group for recognising their contributions to humanity, describing the honour as a call to greater service.

One of the awardees, Pharm. Adeosun,a Director praised the organisation for its selfless work, stating that though she is not yet a member, the honour has inspired her to join the fold.

“I am not a member, but I told them I shall become a full member of Al-Mu’minaat,” she declared during her acceptance speech.

Pharm. Adeosun described Al-Mu’minaat as a group of devoted Muslim women committed to community development, welfare services, and faith propagation.

According to her, “When they see someone in need, they come to cushion the effect. They do well. You see it in their actions and how they sell Islam to those who may be low on faith. It makes you want to be part of them.”

Ex-LCDA chairman dedicates award to service and humanity

Hon. Ajala, popularly known as “Chairman Emeritus” appreciated the organisation for honouring him with an award of excellence in recognition of his humanitarian service and contribution to societal development.

Hon. Ajala stated that the recognition was not just an award, but a renewed call to service. “I do not see this honour as a reward for wealth or position, but as a call to deeper responsibility,” he said.

He reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to serving humanity beyond the sphere of politics. According to him, “Although I now operate in the private sector, my commitment to making meaningful and sustainable impact on the lives of our people remains unwavering.”

Recalling how he received the award invitation, Ajala said, “I got a letter from Al-Mu’minaat informing me that they would be honouring me. I immediately knew it was important, and I had to reschedule my other engagements to be part of this great programme.”

Publisher dedicates award to Allah, oppressed Muslims worldwide

In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Abubakar extolled Al-Mu’minaat for the recognition, describing it as a special honour from a group of “Muslim mothers” he holds in high esteem.

“I am truly delighted to receive this honour. What makes it even more special is that it comes from our mothers; Al-Mu’minaat, the Believing Muslim Women Organisation of Nigeria. I am deeply grateful. Jazakumullahu Khairan,” he said.

He dedicated the award to Almighty Allah, the oppressed people of Palestine and other regions where Muslims face persecution, his beloved family, and esteemed readers and the dedicated team behind Muslim News Nigeria.

“This award is for all of us. It is a reminder that the work continues and we remain committed to upholding our values as Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic newspaper,” he added.

The Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria and a guest of King Salman for Hajj 2024, also spoke on behalf of the awardees, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the honour and the widespread support it symbolises.

“We deeply appreciate this recognition and the broad support it signifies. It represents not just an individual achievement, but a collective acknowledgment and general acceptance of our shared efforts,” he added.

Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation was founded in 1995 as a faith-based, non-governmental organisation with the mission to empower Muslim women and build a strong Muslim community through education and welfare projects that promote self-actualisation and sustainable national development.

The registered, law-abiding organisation is well-established across many states in Nigeria, with a clear vision to propagate pristine Islam through various impactful channels while fostering moral, spiritual, and socio-economic growth.

PICTURES: Awardees, Families, and Friends in Pictures: Moments of joy and pride as award recipients pose with their families and friends during Al-Mu’minaat’s 30th Anniversary Grand Lecture and Award Ceremony — celebrating excellence, service, and legacy.

Others:

* BLDR. (Mrs) SIKIRAT ADENIKE SAID
FNIOB, FIMC

* ALHAJA CHIEF (MRS) LATEEFAH OLUFUNKE GBAJABIAMILA

* ALHAJA IDIAT FUNKE ADEWUNMI

* ALHAJA I RAHIM BUSURAT ADERONKE

* ALHAJA PEJU MUJIDAT BAKARE

* ALHAJA SHUKURAT ADEFUNMILAYO ALAGABI ABDULLATEEF

* ALHAJA HUMUANI OLAYINKA AGORO

* HON. AJALA RASAQ OLUSHOLA (HRA)

*’ALHAJA OSENI AISHA AJOKE

* ALHAJA RUKAYAT OLAYIDE IDOWU

* ALHAJI ABDULGAFFAR AKOLAWOLE BABATUNDE (MBA, FIMC, AMNIM)