MUSWEN is Well Positioned – Oladejo
Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, FCS, a peace-builder, humanist and Islamic worker, holds prominent positions within Islamic circles in Nigeria. He serves as the Deputy President-General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and as President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN). He is also the Chairman of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Education, Social and Health Mission (MESH), Abuja;(an NGO of NSCIA), former President of the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and a patron to numerous Islamic organisations.
In this exclusive interview with PEACE Magazine, to mark his eighty years on earth, this advocate of Islamic causes and icon of Islamic dawah speaks about his Islamic journeys spanning eight decades.
We must give kudos to the foundation members who braved all odds to start her. MUSWEN has also built bridges across the country for the benefit of Muslims in the Southwest, particularly in close collaboration with the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
Excerpts
Can we understand your journey through Islamic organisations and affiliations?Alhamdulillah. I give thanks to Allah, the Most Merciful. It all started with my birth as a Muslim, with parental influences and training as the foundation. Our father made Salat Subh a compulsory routine for us. As early as 5 a.m. daily, we had to be up and prepared for the prayers; a non-performance was with dire consequences. In addition, I attended Islammiyah School, which gave me a push to understand Islam as a religion. Similarly, I studied at the Islamic Mission School, Odoye, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and later attended the Muslim Teachers’ Training College, Surulere, in Lagos for Grade Three and Grade Two Teachers’ Certificate courses. I also taught for a few years at Fazl-Omar Ahmadiyya Primary School in Lagos Island where I became a member of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.. All these prepared me for the journey I never knew would come. At the University of Lagos, I was a member of the Muslim Students’ Society, which was the only organisation for Muslim students at the time, and there we cut our teeth in leadership training. I have journeyed through many organisations.I joined the jamaat of Opeloyeru Mosque in Akoka, near the university where I met Alhaji Ogunfemi who was a prominent member of Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria , Lagos Branch. Later, when I moved to the Nigerian Stock Exchange house in Surulere, I lived near the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria mosque at Ajao Street, where I joined and worshipped as a member. Eventually, when I moved to my home in the Alagbado area, I found myself in the Nawair-Ud-Deen Societyi in 1992 and have remained a member ever since. At one point, I was also a member of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), under the leadership of Alhaji Binuyo. So you can see it has been a journey through many organisations, all of which prepared me for leadership roles.
What were your experiences in leadership positions within the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society that culminated in your presidency?
I became the Chairman of the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alagbado in 1998.. In 1999, I served as the Chairman of the 60th Anniversary Planning Committee with Alhaji Gawat as Secretary and again in 2009 for the 70th anniversary. I was also appointed Chairman of the Building Committee in 2004 under the presidency of Alhaji Ganiyu Adegboyega. These roles prepared me for my eventual presidency at later years.. During my tenure as chairman of the Building Committee, we were able to do a lot of work inthe mosque that had been under construction since 1984. We were able to fix all the windowa and the steel doors. The Lagos Zone of the Society helped to do the ceiling of the Mosque while Ogun Zone helped with construction of the toilets and ablution area.This was the position when I was elected President in April, 2013.The massive ground floor and the upper floor have been touched. The plastering of both inside and outside of the big Mosque were yet to be done. The electrical wiring have not been done as well as the sandfilling of swamps in front of the edifice. We later found that the ceiling was defective and had to be done altogether again. When we factored painting, sinking of a afunctioning borehole and landscaping we realized that we needed a lot of resources to complete the Mosque and commission it before the life of my administration in 2919. Through a micro-financing model and bailouts from committed members as well as donation for mechanical borehole and painting, we completed the Mosque in 2018 and it was commissioned on Friday, 16th November with pong and pageantry by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adAbubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the presence of Muslim Dignitaries including the then Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, CON, FCA and former President of MUSWEN, Dr Sakariyah Babalola, OON..
Why should a society like NUD build a mosque for that long, and what is wrong with us as Muslims?
What is wrong is that some individual Muslims have money but would not want to give for Islamic causes.. Some Muslims are reluctant to support what will not have a direct benefit to them. You may see them supporting worldly causes but hesitating to support Islamic causes because they erroneously believe there is nothing to gain. Whereas, there are countless benefits for them both in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah says in the Qur’an, Surah At-Tawbah (9:120): “Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost.” I think and appreciate that this verse is reflective in my life. At eighty, He has been kind to me; I do not have any major ailments. In the last 80 years, I have been carrying my own kidneys intact, my sight is in order, likewise my lungs, and I still walk unaided. Alhamdulillah. Perhaps it is Allah’s way of rewarding my little contributions here and there.
What other achievements can you recall as President of NUD?
I was able to increase the membership status of the society. I travelled throughout Nigeria to join hands with the branches and mobilise Muslims living in their areas to join the society. Also, at our National Executive Council meetings, we always recorded a large number of executive members attending meetings in Abeokuta. This helped in effective coordination of the organisation’s activities and in implementing decisions taken at the National Executive Council. I am also happy that my presidency was able to execute intervention projects in branches that needed such support. We built and refurbished schools and mosques and constructed boreholes. The completion and commissioning of the headquarters mosque in Abeokuta remains a remarkable achievement. NUD members never thought it was possible within the record time we achieved it. His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, CFR, the Sultan of Sokoto and Amirul-Mu’mininof Nigeria, and the then Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Ibikunle Iskil Amosun, attended the commissioning of the mosque built on expansive swampy land. The mosque, which was started in 1984, remained uncompleted for years, but Allah I and my colleagues completed it within five years of my tenure. Alhamdulillah.
How do you respond to criticism that MUSWEN is not proactive on matters affecting Muslims in the Southwest?
We are open to criticism, and we take it in stride with happiness because we know there is always room for improvement in our goals. But honestly, MUSWEN has made its mark. Today, in terms of advocacy, she is louder and playing her rightful role in society. We must give kudos to the foundation members who braved all odds to start her. MUSWEN has also built bridges across the country for the benefit of Muslims in the Southwest, particularly in close collaboration with the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. There is no time the Sultan visits the Southwest for Islamic functions that MUSWEN is not actively involved in his itinerary. Through that proximity, the concerns of Muslims in the Southwest are listened to and acted upon positively. Being proactive is also a function of the availability of human and capital resources. However, we are gradually overcoming that. We hope that when the new constitution of MUSWEN becomes effective, other Islamic groups, associations, and bodies will start contributing funds to increase our finances. Let me tell you, we have taken steps to shore up our finances. Currently, we are building about 12 shops in the Agbeni area of Ibadan for commercial purposes on a land donated by a brother. We are also preparing to build on our land at GRA, Ibadan, a new secretariat, so that the current secretariat can then be rented out for commercial purposes.
What are the new developments in MUSWEN under your watch?
Alhamdulillah, we have been able to set up dynamic systems of administration for the easy coordination of our activities. The state Muslim councils are functioning better than they were at the beginning of my presidency in November, 2020. .Because of that, we are more visible and impactful. Today, an average Muslim in the Southwest is more aware of MUSWEN’s existence as an organisation, right down to the local government areas of each state in the region, than before. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the finances of MUSWEN have also improved. MUSWEN successfully launched an endowment fund under the coordination of Alhaji Lekan Bello. She now has more than ₦300 million in that fund, and it is still growing. Alhaji Tajudeen Fola Adeola, a seasoned financial guru, heads the Board of Trustees for the fund. Salaries of staff are now streamlined and paid regularly without having to go cap-in-hand begging. Additionally, we have reconstituted the Board of Trustees of MUSWEN to replace the former members, as most of them except two are deceased. The new board is populated by nine vibrant individuals under the chairmanship of Dr Abdulrauf Wale Babalakin, SAN. Other members include Alhaji Fola Adeola, Otunba Lekan Bello, Prof Yusuf Ali, SAN, Alhaji AbdulGaniy Adebiyi, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Alhaja Lateefah Okunnu, HRH Alhaji (Oba) Mashood Arowodoye, and Barrister Kazeem Olanrewaju. Another significant development in MUSWEN is the composition of several standing committees to execute decisions of the Executive Council. We have also advanced significantly in reviewing the old constitution for a new one. Alhamdulillah, MUSWEN is grateful to all stakeholders for these achievements..
What mechanism is there for MUSWEN to check the activities of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest?
Not yet. It would be more or less like usurping powers if we were to put a mechanism in place to check their activities. People should also know there is already a body for the Imams and Alfas in Southwest Nigeria. This is known as the League of Imams and Alfas. It is that body which has direct control over them. However, MUSWEN plays advisory roles and organises workshops or seminars from time to time to update them on topical Islamic issues affecting Islam and Muslims in the Southwest. We use the seminars to advise and appeal to their conscience to be good Muslims and to protect the image of Islam. These seminars are often organised in conjunction with the University of Ibadan, and another one is coming up soon.
How do you describe the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs?
His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, is a gentleman of repute, a good-natured personality, jovial and a man one loves to be in his presence all day. He is firm, principled, and brooks no nonsense. He is the Amir of Nigerian Muslims and the Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, (NIREC), a leader I deeply respect. His style of administration and interpersonal relationships is worthy of emulation by all. He abhors anyone who holds a leadership position in the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and misbehaves.
Is it true MUSWEN is already shopping for a replacement for the current Executive Secretary of MUSWEN?
Yes! But the person we want must be from within the MUSWEN community. From my experience in both private and public sectors, I know that certain positions are better filled by people who are well known for their sterling activities. So, we will only consider a personality who is well known and whose contributions to the organisation are noted by all. Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya’s tenure as Executive Secretary has been eventful and impactful. Whoever is coming to take the baton from him must be ready to surpass him. If not, we do not need such a person at this point in MUSWEN’s history.
As an expert on the capital market, do you not think Islamic groups need to explore the capital market to finance their dawah activities?
Yes, that has always been a concern for me. When I was at the Stock Exchange, I tried to introduce investment ideas to the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society, both at the national level and at branch levels, but unfortunately, many of them did not show interest. Islamic organisations have to look beyond the fī sabīlillāh syndrome and start building real economic frameworks—and investment in the stock market is one of such avenues. That is how lasting development is achieved. Luckily, investment in stock markets is allowed in Islam. The Sukuk bond, for instance, is a veritable tool Muslim organisations can consider. In Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Malaysia and many other notable Muslim countries, they have virile stock exchanges, which further confirms that it is a window for halāl investments. In the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society, we are already operating a micro-investment scheme for members through NUDVEST. Some branches and individuals have bought shares in it. Their investments give them joint ownership, which sustains their interests, unlike sole ownership.
The interview was first published in the PEACE Magazine hardcopy edition Vol.9/No.1
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