Community lauds late Prof Balogun’s virtues, service to humanity, calls for enthronement of peace
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Muslim Community within the Lagos State University Muslim Community (LASUMUC), on Sunday lauded late Prof. Ismail Ayinla Babatunde-Balogun’s (I.A.B Balogun) service to humanity, and described him as exemplary humanitarian, worthy to be emulated.
The Muslim Community expressed their appreciation of Balogun’s humanitarian service at the 19th Annual Lagos State University Muslim Community and Prof. I.A.B Balogun Foundation Ramadan Lecture held on Sunday.
The lecture was held in order to make the Muslim faithfuls stick to the tenets of the Ramadan in their daily conducts, and also to raise funds through donations for the construction of the university Mosque.
The event which was held at the Ojo main campus of the University was attended by students, Muslim faithfuls and friends of the university. It featured Quran recitations and espoused the essence of charity, humanitarian works, service and empathy to indigent persons as attributes of the late scholar and the Ramadan which should be adopted as a culture by the people to enthrone peace in the society.
The theme of the lecture “Allah’s Tranquility in the Face of Economic Pressure and Social Tension”
Speaking at the lecture with the theme “Allah’s Tranquility in the Face of Economic Pressure and Social Tension” the Guest Lecturer, Dr Mustapha Ibrahim, said that, humans have diverted from the detects of Allah as written in the Holy Book, saying that it was why the society remains afflicted with challenges.
Ibrahim, who is also the Resident Imam of LASUMUC, said that, Allah’s peace and tranquility (SAKEENAH) will descend on the people if they make intentional efforts to come back to Him.
“To enjoy SAKEENAH in the midst of affliction is what Allah preserve for His true worshippers. The face of tranquility is what Allah grants to His people.
“Challenges must come but you need SAKEENAH to be triumphant, therefore it is your good relationship with Allah that earns you such tranquility,” he said.
The cleric, described late I.A.B. Balogun as an epitome of good service to humanity as taught.by Ramadan.
He charged the people to emulate the good works of I.A.B Balogun who in his life time deployed his time and resources to the service of humanity and to God in every facets.
He urged the people to avail themselves of the reform period of Ramadan and make amends to their lives, relationships with God and positively impact the society.
The Chairman of the event who doubles as Chairman, IBA Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) Mr Yisa Abiola-Jubril, said that, economic challenge was a phase in humanity that needed to be tackled head-on. He said that attaining the state of Allah’s tranquility (SAKEENAH) aids individuals and society to succeed.
The Chairman made donation of ₦1 million on behalf of his family and another ₦1million on behalf of the LCDA in support of the LASUMUC Mosque project. He called on people to approach public service with humility and sincerity.
The LASU Vice Chancellor and Chief Host, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, described Ramadan as a month of fasting, discipline and charity, disclosing that the lecture has become remarkable with the university community.
Olatunji-Bello, represented at the event by the Dean Faculty of Law, Prof. Kareem Adebayo-Olatoye, said that, as a people, “We live in an era characterised by challenges”.
“In moment such as this we need divine intervention and claim to preserve the times.
“As a university community we need the inner peace of the Ramadan to navigate the challenges.
“We must embody tranquility to sustain the achievements that has continued to put LASU on global status of greatness.
“The Prof. I.A.B Balogun service to society and to God, continues to reminds us the need to cultivate empathy and service to the society and others especially indigent among us,” she said.
The late emeritus Prof. Ismail Ayinla Babatunde-Balogun, was born in Lagos on January 24 1930 to the family of Muhammad Bello Bankole-Balogun.
The late cleric was instrumental to the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Mission Schools between 1949 and 1955.
He was the first Nigerian and indigenous West African to obtain Doctoral Degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies. The Initiator, First Secretary and Missioner of Bodija Estate and Environ Muslim Community, Ibadan Oyo State and many more.
He was also the first Head, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ilorin in 1977.
