President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria as a critical force in the moral and intellectual development of the country, reaffirming the role of the Islamic organisation in shaping responsible citizens and promoting national progress. This commendation was delivered during the 11th Triennial Conference of the Society, held on Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Legacy Hall of the Abeokuta Sports Club, Ogun State.
Represented by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, President Tinubu, in his message, acknowledged the Society’s consistent contributions to national unity, discipline, and educational advancement. He praised Ansar-Ud-Deen’s commitment to nurturing generations of Nigerians who are God-conscious, intellectually equipped, and socially responsible, noting that such values align with the objectives of his Renewed Hope Agenda, which centres on inclusive development, institutional strengthening, and moral revival.
The high-profile gathering, tagged Gateway 2025, was chaired by the Baba Adinni of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, OFR, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. The conference drew an array of distinguished personalities from across Nigeria’s religious, academic, and traditional institutions.
Among those in attendance were former Minister of Works and Housing and ex-Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, represented by Professor Mustapha Olalekan Arikewuyo; Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, FNAL, who also serves as the National Secretary of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; and respected Islamic scholars and traditional leaders including the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Professor Saka Matemilola (represented by the Jaguna of Owu), the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, and the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Sa’adallahi Alade Bamgbola.
Also present were leading female figures within the society, including the National Chairperson of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSON), Alhaja Safirah Abebi Animashaun, and the Otun Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, among others.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Isola emphasized the urgent need for unity within the Muslim Ummah, stressing that harmony among believers is not just a societal necessity but a divine injunction. He urged Muslims to uphold the Five Pillars of Islam—Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj—not only as spiritual obligations but as guiding principles that should influence governance, social justice, and community service.
Professor Arikewuyo, while addressing the audience, spoke extensively on the need for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria’s multi-religious society. He called on Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, to embrace civic responsibility and mutual respect, highlighting that shared cultural values could serve as a bridge for deeper national integration and unity.
Professor Is-haq Oloyede, in his remarks, charged members of Ansar-Ud-Deen to uphold discipline, tolerance, and integrity in their daily interactions. He urged them to lead by example and become ambassadors of peace, compassion, and accountability in their communities.
The Society’s President, Alhaji Aare (Dr.) Abdul-Rafiu Ademola Sanni, in his welcome address, described the triennial event as a time for reflection, recommitment, and strategic planning. He reaffirmed Ansar-Ud-Deen’s unwavering dedication to the upliftment of society through quality education, moral rectitude, economic empowerment, and the promotion of Islamic values.
The 11th Triennial Conference was more than a ceremonial affair—it was a significant moment in the life of a Society that has, for decades, played a pivotal role in the moral and socio-political evolution of Nigeria. As voices of faith, academia, and leadership converged in Abeokuta, the message was clear: institutions like Ansar-Ud-Deen remain vital to the nation’s journey toward a more just, inclusive, and morally grounded society.
