By Biola Lawal
Ede (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The umbrella body of all Muslims in Ede land, the Ede Muslim Council has formally inaugurated its Ede Muslim Scholarship and Education Foundation (EMSEF) to enhance access to quality education by the less privileged children in Edeland.
The chairman of the Council, Dr. Misbaudeen Olatunde Idris formally unfolded the Foundation at a colourful ceremony held on Sunday, during which he also presented detailed achievements of the Muslim Council in the past one year.
In view of the robust vision it contains, FLOWERBUDNEWS hereby presents the Chairman’s address verbatim for record purposes:
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WELCOME ADDRESS OF ENGR. DR. MUSIBAUDEEN OLATUNDE IDRIS, CHAIRMAN OF EDE MUSLIM COUNCIL*
INTRODUCTION
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Verily all praise is for Allah, we praise Him and seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness and we seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and our evil actions.
Whomever Allah guides there is none who can misguide him, and whomever Allah misguides there is none who can guide him, and I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah alone, having no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.
GREETINGS
The Royal Father of the Day, HRM, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, Timi of Edeland
Spiritual Father of The Day, Imam Mas’ud Hussein Akajewole, The Chief Imam of Edeland,
Chief Host, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyy Lawal, Baba Adinni of Edeland,
Special Guest of Honour, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, Chief of Staff, Osun State
Special Guest of Honour, Alhaji Kola Taofik Alimi, CEO, Ekefa Investments, Lagos
Mother of The Day, Alhaja Memunat Aliu
Past Executive members of Ede Muslim Council,
Invited Guest Lecturer, Dr. Mahbub Adekilekun Jimoh (Osun State University)
The Pioneer Chairman of Ede Muslim Scholarship and Education Foundation (EMSEF) Management Team, Prof. Lukuman Adekilekun Jimada
All Islamic Title Holders in Edeland,
The Imam in Council and other Islamic Clerics
All other Guests of Honour
All School’s Proprietors that contributed to Ede Muslim Scholarship & Education Foundation (EMSEF),
The First set of EMSEF Scholarship Award Beneficiaries and their parents,
All my respected listeners, on behalf of the current Executive members of Ede Muslim Council, I say
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
HOMAGE TO THE FOUNDING FATHERS:* I deem it fit to start my speech by paying homage to the founding fathers of Ede Muslim Council, though some of them are not with us today but anywhere they are; here or hereafter, they deserve to be honoured.
The Council was established in 1972 with Alhaji Idris Oyewale as the pioneer Chairman and Alhaji Ibrahim Tijani Adekilekun (The Chief Imam of Ansar-ud-deen Society, Ede Branch) as the secretary. Their tenure which lasted for about twenty-seven year (27 years!) ended in 1999.
Their executive cabinet was succeeded by the executive led by Late Alhaji Jimoh Adebunmi (1999 – 2005). Subsequent executives were led by Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Muhammad Thaani Olagunju (2005-2008), Alhaji Idris Adelakun (2008-2010), Alhaji Asimi Akinade Amoo-Usman (2010-2014) and Alhaji AbdRahmon Babatunde Elesin (2014-October 11, 2023).
If any of these heroes or their executive members are here today I say, Jazakumullahu Khaeran and you are welcome to this novel event. For those that have passed on, may Allah forgive them of their shortcomings.
*WHY ARE WE HERE TODAY?:* This cabinet was ushered in on Thursday 12 October 2023 to oversee the affairs of Ede Muslim Council. It is more than a year today! Courtesy demands we let you know how we have steered the affairs of Islam in Edeland and most importantly seek feedback from you to improve our service delivery.
Let me quickly add that today’s programme is not meant for launching but to create awareness similar of which was created at the last Ileya praying ground where we highlighted about 6 projects for execution. Alhamdulillah, among the thousands of people that heard our call to service that day, three individuals willingly volunteered to execute some of these projects.
These projects are; total renovation of Ede Central Mosque, completion of Ede Muslim Council office complex and the office of Chief Imam. My respected listeners, history will never forget these kind and generous individuals; Engr. Abdul Kabir Aliu, Alhaji Sulayman Adebayo and Alhaji Taiwo Olahuntele (Giwa Adinni of Edeland).
Also, Alhaji Bashir Adebayo of Ile Aato provided solar lamps in and outside the central mosque. Today we are making another call to service, seeking executors for the following projects;
1) Re-construction of dilapidated Ede Muslim Council Islamic Centre,
2) Provision of suitable piece of land to serve as new Eid praying ground and Muslim cemetery,
3) Completion of the remaining 3 offices in the Ede Muslim Council office complex,
4) Survey of our landed properties (Ede Central Mosque, Ede Muslim Council Hall, Ede Eid praying ground and Ede Muslim Council Cemetery),
5) Provision of bus for dawah activities,
6) Provision of furniture to Ede Muslim Council Secretariat and Library (to be commissioned very soon).
7) Provision of books (both western and Arabic text-Tira) to Ede Muslim Council Library.
8) Regular and occasional contributors to the Ede Muslim Scholarship and Education Foundation (EMSEF).
*Why are we here today?* We need to remind ourselves that “we are what we are today” because some people empowered us, not with wealth, but through education.
Today, we will listen to an erudite scholar, a son of the soil, from a family whose fathers successfully empowered future generations through education before leaving this ephemeral world. Our lecturer, Dr. Mahbub ADEKILEKUN Jimoh, In Shaa Allah, will create awareness about the importance of empowering the future through education.
He will also inspire us to contribute our part in empowering the future through the Ede Muslim Scholarship & Education Foundation (EMSEF).
Before this lecture, several individuals, schools, and organizations have set a commendable example by empowering the future through EMSEF.
Notably:-
1) Twenty-five proprietors of Islamic schools in Edeland have contributed a three-year free tuition scholarship worth over N20 million (see their schools on page…),
2) – An-Nur Islamic Organisation donated textbooks worth N1.2m to all 56 beneficiaries of the EMSEF-2024 Scholarship Award and
3) Engr. Dr. Musibaudeen Olatunde Idris Sekoni made a generous donation of N20,000 as the first donor to EMSEF’s bank account (First Bank – 2045910843 – EDE MUSLIM SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION). I am optimistic that during or after this lecture, none of us will be left out in following their exemplary lead.
I know it will delight my father, HRM, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, to learn that his sons and daughters working at Osun State University have established a forum to coordinate monthly deductions from their salaries in support of EMSEF.
I believe Baba will encourage all his children working in other institutions, ministries, local governments, and beyond to follow this commendable and sustainable initiative.
Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the children of Late Alhaji Abdur Raheem Abdur Razaq Babatunde from Kitibi compound, who retired as a Chief Lecturer from Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun.
They have generously donated their father’s entire book collection, comprising 532 books (186 Western and 346 Islamic texts), to the proposed Ede Muslim Council Library. May Allah accept this kind gesture as Sodaqatul-Jaariyyah for their father.
*Why are we here today?* Another distinguished Adekilekun son, Prof. Lukuman Adekilekun Jimoda, despite his busy schedule, graciously accepted to be the Pioneer Chairman of the Management Team of Ede Muslim Scholarship & Education Foundation. He will succinctly share with us the vision, mission, objectives, and modus operandi of the Ede Muslim Scholarship and Education Foundation.
Let me add that the doors of the Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Asimi Akinade Amoo-Usman, his board members, and the entire management team are open for; advice, contributions (cash and kind) and support to help the foundation achieve its objectives.
In conclusion, today’s event marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to empower the future of Edeland through education.
As we move forward, we urge everyone to continue supporting the Ede Muslim Council and the Ede Muslim Scholarship and Education Foundation (EMSEF).
Let us work together to empower the future of Edeland through education. Thank you for joining us at this event. May we all benefited from it. Jazakumullahu Khaeran. (Flowerbudnews)
