* Special dua, Quran recitation and goodwill messages mark beginning of Diamond Jubilee at Bab Salaam Orphanage Home
Religious leaders, senior lawyers, politicians, academics, family members, friends and associates of Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire, SAN, gathered at Bab Salaam Orphanage Home in Lagos on Sunday for a special dua ahead of his 60th birthday.
Muslim News gathered that the gathering marked the beginning of activities for Banire’s Diamond Jubilee, with the main birthday celebration scheduled for October 24.
The special prayer was led by the League of Imams and Alfas, under the leadership of the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, and represented at the gathering by Imam Saaba. Following the dua, the entire Quran was recited for Banire, with other guests who were able to recite joining the Imams.
The choice of Bab Salaam Orphanage Home also gave the gathering a charitable dimension. The facility was established by the late Chief Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo, while a legacy project was undertaken as part of activities surrounding Banire’s 60th birthday.
Sheikh Ahmad: Your tomorrow will be better
Delivering the main lecture, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, anchored his message on Surah Ad Duha, Chapter 93 of the Qur’an.
He described the age of 60 as a period when life begins to rise towards its prime, urging Banire to look to the future with optimism.
“At 60, it’s the beginning of life, so they say,” he said, adding, “Your tomorrow, by Allah’s grace, will be better for you than your todays.”
Sheikh Ahmad said Allah’s guidance could lead a person to a better destination and guarantee joy in this world and happiness in the hereafter.
He recalled how Banire regularly invited people to celebrate his late mother, (who died in August 2019 at the age of 92), and prayed that Allah would grant her mercy and admit her into Jannah.
Describing Banire as a gentle person, the respected Muslim scholar said his character and commitment to integrity had helped him remain guided despite the pressures of life.
“Gentle man, they say, to the core,” he said. “In spite of your being very gentle, Allah sustained you. You didn’t get lost. You didn’t follow the crowd to do anything. Allah guided you to protect your name and your integrity.”
He also commended Banire for choosing an orphanage as the venue for the special prayer and urged him to continue demonstrating gratitude for Allah’s blessings through kindness to orphans and people in need.
Oloyede: Every position has its end
The Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Is-Haq Oloyede, former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, reflected on the temporary nature of positions and material possessions.
“Every position has its end,” he said, urging people to examine their lives and avoid wasting resources on things that are neither religious nor beneficial.
Oloyede, who recently bowed out as Registrar of the examination body after 10 years of exemplary leadership, also spoke about personal shortcomings, repentance and the need for people to confront their own weaknesses.
“If you are stealing, you are lying, you are corrupting… stop dropping one,” he said, adding that lying could become the root of other wrongdoing.
He urged people to spend their resources productively and support those who were suffering, warning that excessive spending and arrogance could create resentment.
Asked whether Banire could be regarded as a role model, Oloyede said there was no dispute about his contribution to Nigeria and humanity.
“Of course, there is no dispute about that. He has made significant contributions to the development of not just Nigeria, but humanity in general,” he said.
Lawal Pedro: Banire is my younger brother
Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, welcomed Banire to what he called the “Diamond League” and “Diamond age.”
Pedro described Banire as his younger brother and confidant, noting that they share the same birthday, October 6.
He also highlighted their common backgrounds as Lagos Island indigenes, Muslims and lawyers who both attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and served in the Lagos State Government.
“He’s a very, very good confidant, a very good friend,” Pedro said, describing Banire as “an energetic, passionate, and forthright person” across academia, government and legal practice.
He prayed for Banire to enjoy many more years in good health and with Allah’s blessings.
Imam Thawfeeq praises his character
The Imam of Shitta Bey Mosque, Lagos, Alhaji Imam Habibullahi Muhammad Thawfeeq, described Banire as a God fearing and compassionate person whose actions are directed towards benefiting others.
“Dr. Muiz Banire is a very good person. He is God fearing,” he said.
According to him, Banire is truthful, patient and compassionate and prefers repairing people’s reputations rather than destroying them.
“If he cannot fight them, he will not join them; he exercises patience toward them,” he said, stressing the importance of fear of Allah, endurance and patience.
Senator Salisu: Banire is many things rolled into one
Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, described Banire as “many things rolled into one.”
He highlighted Banire’s career as an academic, particularly his contribution to Property Law at the University of Lagos, as well as his public service as Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation and Environment.
Salisu also recalled Banire’s political involvement and described him as a family man, mentor and reliable confidant.
“The nature of Muiz is that he wants to bring value to where he is,” he said, adding that Banire is “an asset to our nation.”
He likened the celebrant to a diamond because of its strength, lasting value and desirability.
Adebule, Oladejo and others offer goodwill
Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, representing Lagos West Senatorial District also delivered a goodwill message at the gathering, joining Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Barrister Musibau Oyefeso; Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Owoyemi, owner of Radisson Blu Hotel, and other guests in commending Banire and offering prayers for his continued success.
The goodwill messages reflected the respect Banire has earned across different professional, religious and social circles over the years.
Legacy project reflects Banire’s commitment to giving
Sulaimon Olokodana, Executive Secretary of the MIND Foundation for Development, said the gathering was an opportunity to celebrate the life, achievements and impact of the foundation’s founder, Dr. Banire, SAN.
“We are here… celebrating the life and times of Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire, SAN,” he said.
Describing Banire as “a man of many parts,” Olokodana said the foundation’s founder had touched many lives through sponsorship, mentorship, guidance and other forms of support.
He said the legacy project at Bab Salaam Orphanage Home was undertaken as part of the activities marking Banire’s 60th birthday and was intended to leave a lasting benefit for the home.
“We wanted to do something in the name of Dr. Muiz Banire to be a lasting legacy for the people that will be using it,” Olokodana said.
Wife: 60 is another beautiful beginning
Banire’s wife, Mrs. Jemilat Olufunmilayo Banire, described his 60th birthday as more than a numerical milestone, saying it represented years of achievements, challenges overcome, opportunities embraced, lessons learned and relationships built.
“For me, 60 years… it’s not just a number. It represents count of successes, countless of blessings, challenges overcome, opportunities embraced, lessons learned, relationships built, and above all, the countless blessings of Almighty Allah,” she said.
The President and Founder of Rhesus Solution Initiative said she had seen “the man behind all these titles,” describing his determination, generosity, passion for Islam, commitment to justice and profession, and love for his family and humanity.
“60 is not the end of the journey; it is another beautiful beginning,” she said.
She prayed for greater impact, stronger faith, wisdom, knowledge, good health, peace and barakah for her husband, asking Allah to make their children the coolness of their eyes and a source of lasting charity.
“Muiz, at 60, you are deeply loved by me and our children. You are well appreciated, you are celebrated,” she said.
Banire: Islam shaped who we are
In his remarks, the celebrant expressed gratitude to Allah for the privileges and opportunities he had enjoyed throughout his life.
He referred to Qur’an 55:13, which has remained particularly meaningful to him: “Fa-bi-ayyi ālā’i rabbikumā tukadhdhibān,” meaning, “Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?”
“That is the premise upon which I operate regularly,” he said.
Banire said being a Muslim was itself a privilege and attributed whatever he had become to Islam.
“Whatever that we have become today, or we are today, is courtesy of Islam, nothing else,” he said.
He acknowledged the influence of mentors and elders who guided him, particularly the late Chief Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo, whom he recalled for his support for Muslim students at the University of Lagos.
Banire recalled that students contributed 50 kobo towards Ramadan suhoor and iftar at the university, while Folawiyo covered the balance.
He said the experience influenced his own decision to continue supporting Ramadan iftar at the UNILAG Mosque.
The Senior of Nigeria (SAN) also recalled Prof Is-haq Oloyede’s influence during his university years and his continued respect for him as a teacher.
Banire said he remained comfortable in the company of Islamic scholars and urged Muslim leaders to return to the basics of the faith.
“Let’s go back to the basics. Let’s tell them who Allah is, the power of Allah,” he added.
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