By Abdul-Mumin AbdulQuadir
* Turbans seven, honours members for contributions to community development
Muslim community leaders and members have been urged to sustain their contributions to the development of the Ummah and society, with a call for greater commitment to selfless service and humanity.
The call was made on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the 40th anniversary celebration of Alhaji Afolabi Oba-Alebiosu Central Mosque, located at 15, Oyewole Street, Palm Grove, Lagos.
The event featured the conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles on seven notable members of the congregation, alongside the presentation of awards to six others in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the mosque.
The anniversary also celebrated two significant milestones: 40 years of the mosque’s existence as a regular Ratib mosque (neighbourhood mosque where Muslims gather for the five daily congregational prayers) and the completion of 1,000 Jumu’ah services since October 1, 2006.
The Chief Imam, Sheikh Nurudeen Jimoh Idera, served as the chief host, while Chief Lecturer, Sheikh Abdulwaheed Afolabi Alebiosu, son of the mosque’s founder, the late Alhaji Afolabi Oba-Alebiosu, was among the principal figures at the celebration.
Chief Imam expresses gratitude to Allah
In his remarks, the Chief Imam, Sheikh Nurudeen Jimoh Idera, expressed gratitude to Allah for the opportunity to witness the milestone, describing the anniversary as a moment of thanksgiving.
“We thank Allah SWT for making us see this day. Today is a day of gratitude. Every other thing is secondary. Forty years is a milestone many do not get to achieve. We have only come this far by the grace of Allah, and over the years, there has been immense growth and development. It is important that we show deep appreciation,” he said.
He acknowledged that the mosque’s journey had not been without challenges but noted that the commitment and support of members had contributed significantly to its transformation.
“The journey so far has not been rosy, but Alhamdulillahi. Over the decades, the mosque has grown in leaps and bounds. It used to be a Ratib mosque, but today, it is a Central Mosque.
“We started with a bungalow in 1986. As I speak, the mosque is a storey building. The congregation has also grown significantly,” he said.
The Chief Imam attributed the achievements to the collective efforts of members and other well-meaning individuals who had consistently supported the mosque’s leadership.
He prayed for the continued growth and prosperity of the mosque and its congregation, while also offering prayers for the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Afolabi Oba-Alebiosu, on whose land the mosque was built.
Alebiosu charges new title holders, awardees
Also speaking, a pioneer member of the mosque, Chief Lecturer Sheikh Abdulwaheed Afolabi Alebiosu, urged the newly installed title holders and award recipients to emulate their predecessors by sustaining their contributions to the Muslim community.
He recalled that similar titles were conferred on some members about eight years ago, noting that their contributions had continued to support the development of the mosque.
“About eight years ago, we conferred titles on some people, just as we are doing today. Everyone can attest to the fact that they have done so well and are still making laudable contributions towards the development of the mosque community.
“I therefore urge the new title holders and awardees to emulate them and work assiduously to foster the growth of the Ummah,” he said.
Sheikh Alebiosu also commended the Chief Imam, Sheikh Nurudeen Jimoh Idera, for his leadership and contributions to the mosque’s development.
“I must commend our father, the Chief Imam, for leading with sincerity. He is indeed a great father and an astute leader. All the progress made at the mosque under his watch cannot be overlooked. He has been leading us for a long time. May Allah SWT continue to preserve him upon goodness,” he added.
Seven members receive Islamic titles
The chieftaincy conferment ceremony saw seven members of the congregation installed into different Islamic leadership positions in recognition of their contributions to the mosque.
They include Mallam Abdul-Ganiy Bola Sanni, who received the title of Osupa Adinni; Mr Sikirullah Owoyemi Lawal, Chief Giwa Adinni; Hajia Naimot Bola Ajibola, Iya Sunnah; and Alfa (Mr) Abdul-Jelil Shokunbi, Balogun Adinni.
Others were Hajia Jelilat Olaide Bolaji Bolanta, Asiwaju Adinni; Alhaja Kafayat Bolanle Olaniyan, Osupa Adinni; and Alhaji AbdulAkeem Abdul Salam, Aare Adinni.
Award recipients appreciate recognition
Six other members were honoured with awards for their contributions to the mosque community. They include Alhaja Sinata Ojukutu, Alhaji Balogun Abdulhamid, Alfa Abdul-Akeem Mahmud, Alfa Abdul-Lateef Adedokun, Alfa Nofiu Salahudeen Opeyemi and Alfa Lukmon Ola Baruwa.
Some of the newly installed title holders and award recipients expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to intensify their contributions to the mosque and the wider Muslim community.
Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Sanni, one of the new title holders, said the honour was a recognition of his participation in the activities of the mosque and would motivate him to do more.
“Alhamdulillahi. I thank Allah for this privilege. I strongly feel that they decided to confer these titles on us because of our participation so far. I must admit that it is very thoughtful. This will actually motivate me to do even more than I have been doing,” he said.
He also urged Muslim youths to become more solution-driven, remain committed to their responsibilities and submit themselves to the worship of Allah.
Similarly, the newly installed Iya Sunnah, Hajia Naimot Bola-Ajibola, described the recognition as a call to greater responsibility.
“It feels great to be here today. I have been saddled with a bigger responsibility, and I will try my possible best to deliver. May God continue to guide the leadership of the mosque,” she said.
Another award recipient, Alfa Abdul-Akeem Mahmud, said the recognition reflected the collective efforts of members who had contributed to the mosque’s progress.
“We have been given these awards because we have been striving for the progress of the mosque. We have been doing it for the sake of Allah and His Messenger. This award is nothing but an encouragement,” he said.
Muslim News publisher recognised for contributions
Among the award recipients was the Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, Alhaji Abdur-Rasheed Abubakar, who was recognised for his longstanding contributions to the mosque.
Despite relocating from the Palm Grove neighbourhood, Abubakar has remained connected to the mosque and continued to play useful and instrumental roles in its development.
His recognition highlighted the contributions of members who have sustained their commitment to the mosque beyond their immediate residential communities.
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