……..As Fashola,Babalakin,Aregbesola grace the occasion
Emmanuel lkpeama
Former Governor of Lagos State,Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has called on Muslims faithfuls to always allow their faith to manifest in actions,not just words so as to have positive impact in society
Fashola said this during the 30th year anniversary lecture of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), held on Saturday 3rd,May 2025, at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos with the theme “Faith, Social Justice, and Economic Empowerment.”
The Former minister who was the guest speaker at the event,said the theme “Faith, Social Justice, and Economic Empowerment is potentially transformative, especially as a time when faith is being used to disintegrate families, expel people into slavery and perpetrate crimes.
“We are hearing reports of faith being used to break families, to enslave people, and to commit crimes. This is why we must reset the agenda of what faith truly means,”
“Faith is not static. It should inspire renewal, pursuit of knowledge, and service to humanity and it should be a constant source of inspiration for seeking and advancing healthy knowledge.”he said.
He quoted the Holy Quran, describing it as “a light of light,” and stressed that true faith is not just about appearance or routine worship.
“Light is meant to illuminate, to challenge darkness, and to reveal truth,” he said. “Faith should reflect in our deeds, our thoughts, and our hearts. It is not righteousness to simply face a direction or chant words, but to give, to help the needy, and to keep promises.”
On social justice, my intervention here is that social justice is not optional, it is a divine compulsion. It is not a western idea. It is not something of convenience but it’s a divine conjunction. Therefore, we must focus on justice as a national ethic. Imagine if we all agreed that justice becomes our common ethic and that we will do everything in our powers to confront injustice, how great that would be?
“On economic empowerment, I start here by saying that a man cannot pray on an empty stomach and if he prays, it will be hard for him to concentrate. So, we must give our people a means to live with dignity. Nothing best captures the idea of social justice than for a man to wake up in the morning and go to his place of work as against I am going to bed.
“We have seen empowerment in the last few years but let us ask ourselves, have we really empowered? When we give tricycles and motorcycles, have we really empowered? Should we do more of that?
“We must understand that a society that empowers people to earn is a society that protect dignity. The real empowerment is in creating a sustainable source of income and not giving out tricycles and motorcycles. Empowerment should improve quality of lives and living. When we elect people in parliament and we started asking them to come and build a road and all, are we not the one introducing a breach of contract? Because it is the executive arm that should do all those things.
“One of the arguments I’ve made about constituency projects, is for federal lawmakers to limit constituency projects to federal responsibilities because there are state legislators who should also legislate for their small communities. Some of those projects were run in my Ministry and I remember one of them that were so impactful. So, I won’t stand here and say constituency projects are not impactful.”he submitted
In his welcome address, the President of NASFAT, Alhaji AbdulRauf AbdulWahid Ayodeji, stated that NAFSAT has continued to be a critical institute in the protection and advocacy of the local Muslim community across locations and to an extent the broader world Muslim population, stating that the organisation has remained committed to the values of Islam through its efforts in faith-building, justice, and economic empowerment.
“Our 30th year anniversary today is centred on justice,empowerment and faith. Through the collective work of the NAFSAT stakeholders, members and partners,we continue to strive towards our vision of been a pacesetting Islamic organization with global acceptance and develop enlightened Muslims for spiritual upliftment and welfare of mankind fostering and enabling a vibrant Islamic community where Muslims enrich society through the values of Islam”he submitted
Alhaji Ayodeji highlighted the establishment of 28 primary schools, 8 secondary schools, 5 healthcare centers, and one and internationally acclaimed and dynamic university,fountain University, Osogbo, and the NAFSAT Islamic center, multipurpose mosque on Lagos Ibadan expressway as testaments to NASFAT’s commitment to value-driven growth.
“We have stayed true to our mission of peace, discipline, and service to humanity,” he said, reinforcing NASFAT’s vision of non-violence and moral leadership.
The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN),emphasized on the urgent need for Muslims to step into leadership roles with honour and vision.
He urged the Muslim faithful to reflect on Islamic values through competence, integrity, and accountability.
“We must stop waiting for others to define our future. Muslims must lead by example and with excellence,” he charged.
Dr. Babalakin also commended NASFAT for its progressive ideals and its transformation from a modest prayer group into a global Islamic movement.
He pledged total support to NASFAT’s ongoing headquarters project along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“This is a noble initiative that will become a centre of Islamic excellence. I will support it wholeheartedly,” he affirmed.
In his goodwill message, the Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs,Dr.Tope Fasuwa, praised NASFAT for its consistent investment in faith-based education, moral values, and social responsibility.
Shettima emphasized the need for religious organizations to shape ethical leadership and address socioeconomic challenges.
“Islam must not only guide our worship but also inspire bold solutions in governance, entrepreneurship, and education,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President went further to call for synergy between government and credible faith-based institutions in national development, while underscoring NASFAT’s role in promoting peaceful coexistence and youth empowerment, describing it as a “beacon of moral light and civic progress.”
Also,in his goodwill message, former Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, reflected on his personal journey back to Islam and also praised NASFAT’s impact.
“I chose not to be a Muslim at a point in my life, but by God’s grace and my wife’s influence, I returned”.
“We are the ones that began NASFAT, but we need new energy. I am appealing to everyone to support the NASFAT Headquarters project and make it a centre for Islamic excellence.”he said.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat,who was represented by Engr. AbdulHafis Gbolahan Toriola, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing,acknowledged NASFAT’s strong role in fostering peaceful coexistence and urban progress, and encouraged further cooperation with the state on faith-based community initiatives.
His counterpart in Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, represented by Alhaja Nafisat Arogundade, commended NASFAT for championing religious moderation and civic development. She lauded the organization’s educational efforts and pledged continued collaboration to support moral development among youth and women.
Also lending his voice was Alhaji Kazeem Adeniji, SAN, President of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria who emphasize on the importance of Inter society collaboration for the betterment and upliftment of the Ummah.
” Let us recognize that we are instrument in the hands of Almighty Allah, united in our quest to positively impact lives, inspire, hope and contribute to the welfare of the Muslim community through charitable endeavors” he stated.
Others who gave their goodwill message include the Deputy Governor of Ogun State,Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, represented by Alhaja Nafisat Arogundade, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, among others.
Investigator news reports that dignitaries in attendance included former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; legal luminary Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN; and Alhaji Kazeem Adeniji, SAN, President of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria. The Director-General of NIMR, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa and Vice President Shettima Kashim who was represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Dr Tope Fasuwa.
Other notable guests at the event included the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, Muslim Congress, Sisters of Jannah, Al-Muminat, Faozzan,Prof. Mash-hud Adenrele Fashola, represented the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Nigeria,the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele,was represented by Alhaja Nafisat Arogundade, Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, and Dr. Moshood Adenrele Fashola, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Nigeria.
Speaking with newsmen,Dr Muiz Banire applauded the society for attaining the feat and what they have been able to achieve, while encouraging the society to come up with programs that would create more jobs for their members and Muslims faithfuls all over the nation.
Investigator news gathered that the ceremony was streamed live to over 100,000 online viewers,as the celebration brought together some of the nation’s most eminent personalities, Islamic scholars, and thought leaders in an event that was spiritually uplifting and intellectually profound.
Highpoint of the event was presentation of award to some distinguished personalities like the Vice President Shettima, Former Minister of Power,Mr Babatunde Fashola,Dr Wale Babalakin among others.
Anchoring the event were the eloquent Owolabi Oseni, NASFAT’s National Public Relations Secretary, alongside Nymat Akhasat-Zibiri of TVC’s YourView and Kafayat Oyewo of Kiin Media. Together,as they brought elegance and vibrancy to a celebration that reaffirmed NASFAT’s pivotal role in shaping a morally just, spiritually sound, and economically empowered Muslim society as NASFAT’s 30th Anniversary activities were expertly coordinated by Alhaji Tunde Amolegbe, Sub Committee Chairman of the 30th Anniversary Lecture Committee, and Alhaji Kayode Isiak Oshinuga, Chairman Planning Committee.
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