LEMU holds 8th AGM, reaffirms commitment to education, welfare, community development

* Lekki Muslim Ummah reviews annual performance, records ₦161.8m in Zakat and Sadaqah disbursements, sets four priorities for new administration

By Bamiro Adejoke Maryam

The Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) has reaffirmed its commitment to education, Islamic propagation, welfare and community development at its 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at the Admiral Jubrila Ayinla Multipurpose Hall, Lekki Central Mosque Complex, Lagos.

The meeting, which began with an opening prayer led by the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Dr Imam Ridwan Jamiu, provided an opportunity for members to review the organisation’s activities and achievements during the 2025 financial year, as well as discuss priorities for its next phase of development.

Presenting a summary of the committee reports, LEMU President, Engr. Ibrahim Kayode Akiode, highlighted progress across the organisation’s educational institutions, Ramadan activities, Zakat administration, youth and women’s programmes, Da’wah and facility management.

He explained that the new Executive Committee, under his leadership, assumed office in August 2026, while the AGM provided an opportunity to review the previous accounting year, during which he served as Vice President.

Engr. Akiode highlights progress across LEMU institutions

The President described LEMU as a work in progress, noting that its achievements were the result of the contributions of successive generations of members, leaders, volunteers, donors and staff.

He expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, elders, Executive Committee, Imam, scholars, staff, parents and members for their support, while paying tribute to the immediate past Executive Committee.

“Our approach is guided by consultation, accountability, prudent use of resources, and care for people,” Engr. Akiode said.

On education, he reported progress during the 2025/2026 academic session, including the completion and equipping of the secondary school building, provision of new furniture, renovation of primary school furniture and establishment of a three-in-one Biology, Physics and Chemistry laboratory.

Other improvements included replacing the old dry-battery inverter with a lithium-powered system, installing a 30KVA generator, providing an independent water supply at Lekki Qur’an Memorisation College and acquiring a new school bus.

The President also highlighted teacher training, STEM and coding activities, football and cricket programmes, and the controlled use of tablets by younger pupils.

He disclosed that five indigent students benefited from scholarships funded by Alhaji AbdulRazaak Adeola.

Engr. Akiode added that salary increases were implemented in January 2026, with another increase approved for the 2026/2027 session. However, he identified additional classrooms, boarding facilities and science laboratory equipment as areas requiring further attention.

Ramadan, Zakat and welfare activities record significant impact

The President also reported on the activities of the Ramadan Committee, which was reconstituted and inaugurated in January.

He said the committee coordinated worship, learning, feeding and welfare programmes during Ramadan 1447 AH, including the daily provision of meals to more than 1,000 less-privileged people.

According to him, 67 donors, comprising members and non-members, supported the feeding programme with food, fruits, water and soft drinks. The Ramadan activities also featured a well-attended Family Iftar and an Itikaaf programme involving 157 participants.

The committee’s medical clinic assessed and treated 109 people, while Zakat-ul-Fitr contributions amounting to ₦2,311,000, alongside foodstuffs, were distributed to needy beneficiaries within and outside LEMU.

The President disclosed that weaknesses in the registration and payment process allowed scammers to defraud two participants, adding that LEMU refunded the affected individuals and would strengthen verification, official payment channels and beneficiary screening.

On Zakat and Sadaqah, he announced that the organisation disbursed a combined ₦161,853,987, benefiting more than 400 families and individuals.

“Zakat is an amanah,” he said, stressing the need to protect the integrity of the process through proper beneficiary identification, sound records and accountability.

Youth and Women’s Forum sustain community outreach

The LEMU President highlighted the contributions of the Youth Committee, which organised weekly potluck Iftar gatherings and online Qur’an Tadabbur sessions during Ramadan.

He said the committee also visited the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, and Randle General Hospital, where it provided supplies for mothers and children and supported the medical bills of three indigent patients.

Other activities included an Eid Funfair attended by more than 300 children and the distribution of ram meat to university students who could not travel home for Eid al-Adha.

He announced plans for the December Youth Convention and LEMU Health Week.

The Women’s Forum, he said, sustained its outreach to two orphanages and an Old People’s Home in Yaba, providing food, clothing and financial assistance, as well as organising Eid celebrations.

The forum also conducted eye screening for 120 people and held awareness sessions on breast cancer and fertility. Its future plans include visits to widows, children’s homes and prison inmates, as well as adopting a home for quarterly visits.

LEMU sets four priorities for next phase

Looking ahead, Engr. Akiode outlined four priorities for his administration: maintaining existing facilities to a high standard, ensuring fair staff remuneration and training, expanding digital services, beginning with a digital membership register, and expanding the school to address overcrowding.

He urged members to take greater responsibility for the maintenance of the mosque complex and other facilities, drawing attention to issues such as faulty taps, damaged public toilet doors and the misuse of facilities.

The President said digital tools could improve membership administration, communication, payments and record-keeping, while emphasising the need for appropriate safeguards, training and accountability.

“Digital tools can improve membership administration, communication, payments and records,” he said.

He also stressed that LEMU’s development ambitions must remain aligned with available resources, with projects properly prioritised, supervised and documented to ensure value for money.

BoT chair commends outgoing and new executives

The Chairman of the LEMU Board of Trustees, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla, was represented at the AGM by a member of the Board, Engr. Adeniji Raji.

In a message delivered through his representative, Vice Admiral Ayinla commended the various organs of the Ummah for their performance during the last financial year.

He congratulated Dr AbdulGaniy Olusola Labinjo, whose second term as head of the outgoing Executive Committee ended in August 2026, and appreciated him and his team for their contributions.

The Board Chairman also congratulated Engr. Akiode and the new Executive Committee, urging them to maintain and surpass the standards established by their predecessors.

He particularly commended the Da’wah Committee for its creativity and energy, describing the Zakat Committee as a leading Zakat institution in Lagos State.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Women’s Forum, Welfare, Youth and Publicity committees.

Vice Admiral Ayinla further identified the need for additional classrooms, laboratory and other educational equipment, teacher training and improved staff welfare.

Alhaji Saliu attributes progress to quality leadership

Also speaking, Alhaji Yunus Olalekan Saliu, a member of the LEMU Board of Trustees, attributed the organisation’s progress in membership, Da’wah, the Women’s Forum, Zakat and welfare to the quality of people serving in its various leadership positions.

He said the Ummah was blessed with people who willingly contributed their time, resources and talents to its development.

“We are blessed with outstanding and exceptional leaders,” Alhaji Saliu said, emphasising the importance of knowledge, experience, sincerity, integrity and the fear of Allah in leadership.

The AGM provided an opportunity for members to reflect on LEMU’s activities and contributions while setting priorities for the organisation’s continued growth and service to the Muslim community.

FACES AT THE AGM