* Launches ₦150m appeal for orphanage, honours past leaders and supporters
The Alimosho Branch of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has marked 35 years of Islamic propagation and community service with a three in one programme featuring an anniversary celebration, fundraising for a proposed orphanage home and an awards ceremony.
The programme was held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Ebenezer Primary School, Egbeda, Alimosho, Lagos State, under the theme, “Nurturing the Next Generation: Strengthening Mothers, Guiding Youths, Preserving Our Future.”
Muslim News gathered that the event brought together past and present leaders of FOMWAN Alimosho, Muslim women, community leaders, youths and other guests to celebrate the branch’s journey since its establishment in 1991.
The programme began with FOMWAN Asalatu before the anniversary activities, fundraising and award presentations.
From 1991 to 2026
FOMWAN Alimosho was established on September 15, 1991, by Alhaja Sidiqoh Adunni Binuyo and other Muslim women following the establishment of FOMWAN structures across Lagos State.
Alhaja Binuyo became the branch’s pioneer Ameerah and led the organisation from 1991 to 1995. She was succeeded by Alhaja Fatimah Abeke Abdul Salam Banire, who served from 1995 to 1999, followed by Alhaja Hairat Asake Jabar from 1999 to 2004.
Other leaders included the late Alhaja Pelumi, 2004 to 2007; Alhaja Suliat Adeola Abolude, 2007 to 2009; and the late Alhaja Idiat Adefunke Alake Adelugba, 2009 to 2014.
Alhaja Sherifat Oluwatoyin Ajagbe served as Ameerah from 2014 to 2017, followed by Alhaja Sherifat Alaba Bamidele from 2017 to 2022.
The branch is currently led by Alhaja Latifat Olanrewaju Bolaji, who was inaugurated as Ameerah in 2022 by the then Lagos State Ameerah, Alhaja Sherifat Ajagbe.
₦150m orphanage project
A major highlight was the fundraising campaign for the branch’s proposed ₦150 million orphanage home.
Speaking with Muslim News, the Ameerah of FOMWAN Alimosho, Alhaja Latifat Bolaji Olanrewaju, disclosed that the branch had already secured land for the project at Papa, in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She said the secured land marked an important step towards translating the long-term vision into a physical project, while the ₦150 million fundraising target would support the development of the site and establishment of the orphanage.
According to her, the initiative is designed to strengthen the branch’s humanitarian interventions and provide care and support for vulnerable children, in line with FOMWAN’s wider commitment to community development.
The project forms part of the branch’s broader community service efforts, which have included support for widows, hospital visitations, assistance to vulnerable groups and programmes for Muslim youths.
Parents urged to monitor social media
The lecture, “Guiding Our Mothers and Youths: Tarbiyah in the Age of TikTok and Drugs: An Islamic Perspective,” was delivered by Alhaji Dr. Abdul Ganiyu Oladapo, FCE, National Amir of Kalmon Islamic Organisation and Chief Imam of Muri International Central Mosque, Omole, Lagos.
Oladapo said the rapid growth of social media had changed the way parents and children interact, warning that physical presence within the same home does not necessarily mean that families are communicating with one another.
He illustrated this by noting that parents and their children could sit together at home, smiling, while each person is actually focused on something on their phones or social media.
The lecturer therefore urged parents to become more deliberate about understanding what their children watch and engage with online, rather than leaving them to navigate the digital space without guidance.
He advised parents to check their children’s phones and online activities, where appropriate, particularly in the morning, to understand the type of content they have been exposed to and identify areas requiring correction or guidance.
Oladapo stressed that such supervision should not be limited to detecting wrongdoing, but should also help parents teach their children how to use technology positively and responsibly.
He further linked the issue of digital exposure to the wider challenge of youth vulnerability to harmful influences, including drug abuse, stressing the importance of early guidance, parental attention and Islamic tarbiyah.
According to him, mothers and parents have a critical role to play in shaping the character, values and choices of the next generation, particularly at a time when children have easy access to information and influences beyond the home.
Honouring past leaders
The award ceremony recognised women who have played leadership roles in FOMWAN Alimosho and contributed to the development of the branch.
Among those honoured were the founder and pioneer Ameerah, Alhaja Sidiqoh Binuyo; former Ameerah, Alhaja Fatimah Abeke Banire; former Ameerah, Alhaja Sherifat Oluwatoyin Ajagbe; and immediate past Ameerah, Alhaja Sherifat Alaba Bamidele.
Also recognised was Alhaja Risikat Orelope, Iya Adinni of Egbeda Central Mosque and mother of Adefulure Orelope, a former deputy governor and the Oba of Egbeda.
The event also brought together members of the branch’s past and present leadership, including Alhaja Latifat Olanrewaju Bolaji, Hajia Taibat Olatundun, General Secretary, and Alhaja Sherifat Alaba Bamidele, chairperson of the anniversary planning committee. Alhaja Sidiqoh Binuyo served as founder and chief host.
35 years of community service
FOMWAN Alimosho also highlighted its community based activities over the years, including hospital visitations, support for widows, visits to a school for the blind in Isheri Olofin and programmes for Muslim youths.
The branch has also distributed hijabs and organised a rally as part of activities marking its 35th anniversary, alongside competitions aimed at encouraging participation among members.
The activities align with FOMWAN’s broader focus on Islamic propagation, education, healthcare, humanitarian services, economic empowerment, advocacy and community development.
FOMWAN national body was formally inaugurated in Minna, Niger State, in 1985 and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission the same year. Its history traces the idea of establishing a national Muslim women’s organisation to discussions among Muslim women in 1983 and 1984.
For FOMWAN Alimosho, the 35th anniversary marked more than three decades of Islamic propagation and community service. It celebrated the women who built the branch, highlighted its interventions and introduced a new humanitarian ambition through the proposed orphanage home.
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