By Shakirudeen Bankole
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos State, was a Mekkah of sort on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as Nigeria’s movers and shakers converged to rain encomiums on Nasru-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) for its milestone 30th Anniversary at a commemorative lecture.
The theme of the event was: “Faith, Social Justice and Economic Empowerment: Pathways to a better World.”
The Vice President of the country, Dr. Kassim Shettima (GCON), was a Special Guest of Honour; Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN, CON), who doubles as a former Governor of Lagos State and a former Tripartite Federal Minister for Works, Housing and Power, was the Keynote Speaker; and Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, OFR, Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, the Chairman of the Occasion.
Shettima was represented by Dr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCOFR) on Economic Affairs, in the Office of the Vice President.
Other dignitaries present were the Deputy Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who were both the Chief Host and Co-Chief Host, respectively.
The former Governor of Osun State, and a former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, worn a double cap at the occasion, simultaneously serving as a Member of the Board of Trustees of NASFAT, and as well as one of the dignitaries.
The event hosts, NASFAT President, Alhaji AbdulRauf Ayodeji AbdulWahid, and the Chief Imam of NASFAT, Imam (Engr) Maruf Abdulazeez Onike, led other creme de la creme of the Islamic organisation to the event.
Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, a veteran health evaluation expert, represented the Ogun State Deputy Governor.
The Vice President of the country, in his remarks, said, NASFAT, over the years, has grown to become one of the foremost, intellectual faith-based organisations in Nigeria and Africa, with presence and formations across the nooks and crannies of country.
Shettima acknowledged that NASFAT has truly been making important interventions to its members, the Muslim Ummah, and the general public, helping to change and transform many lives.
His words:
“The stated mission of NASFAT include the development of enlightened Muslim Society, nurturing the true understanding of Islam, for spiritual and social upliftment of members and the welfare of mankind in general.
” To this extent, the vision and mission of NASFAT are commendable and its extension to the growth of humanity in general – magnanimous, kind – are truly remarkable.
“This demonstration reflects the wills of Almighty Allah . No doubt, the contribution of NASFAT in promoting faith and religious coexistence, education and citizen empowerment, can not be overemphasised.
“These footprints of NASFAT, are worthy of emulation, ” he concluded.
In his remarks, Fashola extolled the virtues of NASFAT, saying time has allowed the Islamic organisation to prove itself as a truly needed vehicle for social change.
According to him, “NASFAT is not just about faith as it has shown. It is also a civic society, impacting and nurturing.
“NASFAT has become the moral conscience, social innovator, and a spiritual anchor” upon which many premise the spiritual journey and progress.
Fashola said given the record, organisations like “NASFAT offers stability, growth and hope it connects with them.
“I therefore urge you not not dim your light…,” he added.
In his opening and closing remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Babalakin, said he was one of the early doubters of the success of NASFAT.
According to him, “I had thought it would come as many other Islamic organisations around and go under with time.
He said this made him change his mind and become a staunch supporter of the organisation, thereafter.
“But its commitments to the nobility of its cause, which are perfectly captured in its Mission and Vision Statement, has continued to project NASFAT as a truly transformational organisation.
“And this was why when you came to me for support sometime ago, I told you I would not support better with just one-off financial donation. I assisted you to build a purposeful hotel facility inside your Fountain University in Osogbo. This, no doubt, has helped you to make more money than just a one-off donation,” he recalled.
Historically, from a humble beginning in Lagos in March 5,1995, to a global community of diverse membership that spreads across over 360 Zones in 10 countries and four continents, 30 years after, NASFAT has indeed etched its name in history as a truly revolutionary faith-based Islamic organisation.
According to its President, AbdulWahid, NASFAT’s multi-faceted interventions in nation building, spiritual upliftment of its members, human capital, inter-religious harmony, and contributions to world peace and understanding, are the central focus of the organisation.
In his remarks, AbdulWahid, said through its transformation journey that has spanned three decades now, NASFAT has made significant interventions through the establishment of Zonal and Branch formations in over 360 locations across four continents of the world.
” The question of how peace can be leveraged to promote growth tolerance had led NASFAT To establishing 28 primary schools, eight secondary schools, five hospitals and clinics, one internationally acclaimed and dynamic institution (Fountain University, Osogbo).
” We have also established nine agencies and subsidiaries (NAZAS, TITL, HAVEK, LASIIKIN, TIL, NASHIN, NMI, NRI, and NASLAC), to provide essential intervention that promote economic prosperity for members, inter-religious harmony, human capital development, and the upliftment of the spiritual wellbeing of the Muslim Ummah. This is also not forgetting the NASFAT Islamic Center, our Multi-Billion-Naira multipurpose Mosque Project on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Asese, Ogun State. It is a high capacity center for prayers and Islamic knowledge,” he added.
Also on the list of Dignitaries were NASFAT founding members, led by Alhaji Abdulateef Olasupo, Past Presidents, serving and past Executive Members from the headquarters, zones and branches.
