The national leadership of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria has called for unity, good governance, and social progress, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to education, community service, and national development.
The National President, Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, and National Missioner, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, made the statement on Thursday, March 26, on the sidelines of the Society’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) for the adoption of an amended constitution.
Muslim News gathered that the meeting brought together Missioners from branches across Nigeria, members of the national executive council, women and youth leaders, and other dignitaries, reinforcing the Society’s reputation as a premier and dynamic faith-based organisation.
Held at LCCI Conference Hall, Ikeja, Lagos, the gathering provided a rare opportunity to address governance anomalies and ensure proper legal and institutional expression for the Society’s administration, which has served the Nigerian Muslim community for over a century in education, social development, and national engagement.
Missioner warns of global hardship, seeks strategic policies and security reforms
National Missioner warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East is driving up global energy prices and worsening economic hardship across the world, including Nigeria.
Speaking with media outlets, including Muslim News, Sheikh Ahmad said the conflict is eroding the modest gains made by the government prior to the war and called for policies to shield citizens from these external shocks.
“To be fair, the hardship is global. We live in a highly interconnected world. The modest gains achieved by this government prior to the war are being eroded by sharp increases in gas and petroleum products. The impact is biting hard,” he said.
He urged the government to adopt measures that would reduce inflation, increase employment opportunities, and ensure the security of lives and property.
Addressing the issue of national insecurity, Sheikh Ahmad noted that Nigeria has the ideas needed to address its challenges, but the problem lies in implementation.
He expressed support for the decentralization of policing, endorsing state and community policing as critical to improving security. “We expect the government to be more innovative in combating terrorists, who are becoming bolder and more daring. There must also be proper coordination, not competition, among security agencies,” he said.
Ansar-Ud-Deen Society’s commitment to education and social services
The respected Muslim scholar also highlighted the Society’s efforts to provide quality education and social services. “For more than 100 years, the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society has been committed to improving the quality and accessibility of education, from primary to tertiary levels, providing opportunities without discrimination,” he said.
He noted the establishment of a world-class university in Offa, which focuses on Information Technology, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence, to meet the demands of the 21st century. Beyond education, the Society has recently launched AnsarCare, a health service initiative to supplement government efforts and improve healthcare delivery.
Reflections on Ramadan
Speaking on the spiritual significance of the just concluded Ramadan, Sheikh Ahmad described it as a training ground and “a reset button for piety, discipline, altruism, and generosity.”
He expressed hope that these qualities have not only been learned during the period of fasting but also renewed, and that they continue to be carried into everyday life.
Society at 103 leads in education, healthcare, and social initiatives, says national president
In his submission, the national president emphasized the need for unity, good governance, and responsive leadership, while highlighting the Society’s role in supporting community development and government initiatives.
Speaking on the significance of EGM, he said, “This extraordinary general meeting sends a strong message of unity in our society and demonstrates our commitment to due process and proper procedures.
“Our councils from both the North and South are present, making this a truly representative gathering. At 103 years old, the Society remains vibrant, relevant, and dynamic, continuing to lead as the premier Muslim organization in Nigeria.”
Prince Kazeem (SAN) explained that the meeting, recognised under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, provided an opportunity to deliberate on long-standing suggestions and approve measures to guide the Society forward.
“The world has changed, and we must operate with dynamic processes rather than static ones. Over time, we have become a formidable organization that supports the government in disseminating its programs, while also providing direct support to communities,” he said.
With 187 branches nationwide, Prince Kazeem, who was the former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State, noted that the Society has produced countless members who contribute to education, healthcare, and community well-being.
He announced plans to venture into farming to address food security, while continuing healthcare efforts through AnsarCare, emphasizing the Society’s commitment to being a strong partner with the government.
On government policies and social justice, the national president said the Society actively participates in interfaith activities to promote religious harmony.
“While we cannot dictate government policies, they must always have a human face. Feedback from the grassroots shows that some policies have harsh effects on ordinary people. The government must carry the people along,” he said, citing the impact of global events, including the US-Iran-Israel conflict, on prices of goods and transport.
Addressing calls for a Muslim governor to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Prince Kazeem, SAN, emphasized that the Society’s interest is in good governance.
According to him, “Whether Muslim or Christian, what matters is fairness, equity, and visible dividends of democracy. Citizens will celebrate effective leadership that ensures regular power supply, clean water, affordable food, good roads, and accessible healthcare.”
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