IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL
THE 2009 ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES OF UNIFEMGA, ILE-IFE CHAPTER
Assalam Alaykum,
UNIFEMGA, Ile-Ife is the home branch of the Association. It has an average of 100 members on its list. However, due to low commercial and economic activities in Ile-Ife and environs, coupled with unemployment problem in Nigeria, most of the members are not gainfully employed.
This notwithstanding, the branch has been embarking on a number of useful social, educative and welfare programmes. These are summarised as follow:
Monthly Prayer/General Meetings
UNIFEMGA Ile-Ife Chapter holds regular monthly prayer/general meetings on second Sunday of every month on rotational basis, in the houses of members. The meetings usually take place between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The average attendance of members is about 40.
Efforts are continually being made to encourage more members to attend the meetings irrespective of their working status. In these meetings, many issues bordering on the Association, Muslim Ummah and welfare of members are usually discussed.
Education Programme
a. Hijrah Lecture
Our branch organises annual Hijrah lecture. It is usually public lecture wherein topical and contemporary issues are discussed. Guest lecturers are usually invited for the lectures to enrich the discussion.
This year 1430 Hijrah lecture was titled “Incidence in Gaza: A lesson for the Muslim Ummah”. In addition, this year (2009) lecture was also organised to honour Prof. Fola Lasisi, a professor of structures and environment, who just retired from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife at the end of September, 2008.
The programme was well attended by both members of our Association and other Muslims in Ile-Ife and environs as well.
b. Children Day Celebration
This is a programme usually organised annually to mark the Children Day celebration for Muslim pupils in the primary and secondary schools in Ile-Ife and environs. Activities such as quiz competition, drama sketch, poem and other Islamic activities usually take place during the programme.
As usual, this year Children Day celebration would come up inshallah on the 27th of May, 2009 at the OAU central mosque premises.
c. Occasional Seminars and Workshops
Occasionally, our branch organises seminars and workshops on other important topical issues. The branch had organised seminars on preparation for retirement, stock/share holding etc. In these seminars resource persons were invited and both Muslims and non-Muslims have attended and benefitted from the programmes. We shall continue to organise more of such seminars/workshops.
Welfare Programme
The Association is vigorously pursuing her welfare programme as act of Ibadah. The programme usually affords members the opportunity to visit hospitals, motherless homes, prison yards etc around Ile-Ife and environs. The Association also gives helping hands to the needs as much as it could afford.
It is hoped that these would be sustained and improved on. On many occasions, members have felicitated with others on different achievements such as promotions, house warming, naming ceremonies etc.
Joint Family Iftar
The Association also organises annually a day joint family Iftar during the month of Ramadan. This usually brings together family members of the Association together; everybody breaks his/her fast at the OAU central mosque. It is usually well attended programme. Issues bordering on family matters are usually addressed by an invited guest lecturer before the break of the fast for the day.
UNIFEMGA Preparatory School Project
By the Grace of Allah, the branch established a nursery School in 2002. Its establishment came as part of resolutions at the 1421 Hijrah lecture (in 2001). The School is approved by the Osun State Ministry of Education and it has reached primary four with high calibre of committed teaching and non-teaching staff. The pupils are comparatively doing well.
However, the School is currently facing some challenges. These include inability to secure land for its permanent site. Hence, it continues to operate in a rented apartment and the premises of OAU central mosque. Efforts are being made to raise enough funds for approval for the upgrading of the School to primary school. Interested members are invited as investors in the School.
Obafemi Awolowo University Central Mosque Project
Members of the Association in conjunction with other UNIFEMGA members are playing substantial roles in the fund raising and construction-supervision of the on-going Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) central mosque project. We pray Allah to assist the OAU Muslim Community to complete the mosque very soon.
Also, members of Association, Ile-Ife branch played a leading role in the tree planting and maintenance exercise of the economic trees in front of the new mosque. This is where the OAU Muslim Community usually observes her Eld prayers.
Members who are also staff of the University are playing active roles in the maintenance of the mosque premises and utilities. Some of our members are also part of the OAU Muslim Executive members and have been contributing actively in the decision making for the progress of the mosque.
The Association on behalf of the OAU Muslim Community is spare heading the maintenance of the Muslims burial ground located at the religious area of the University.
Participation at the National Level
The branch has been contributing to the National body activities within her available resources. It shall continue to do this. The branch has four of its members as Executive member of the National body. These representatives have been doing their job well. It is hoped that some peculiarities of UNIFEMGA, Ile-Ife branch is understood by the National body for now.
Social-Political Activities of Members
UNIFEMGA being a social, religious, non-governmental and non-political Association, its members in Ile-Ife branch have been playing their roles where opportunities exist to contribute their quota to the socio-political, religious and academic development of Nigeria.
UNIFEMGA Ile-Ife branch maintains good relationship with the OAU Muslim Community and OAUMSSN in particular and the University Community in general. Dr A.A. Sanusi, a medical Consultant at OAU Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, remains the Chief Imam and spiritual leader of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Muslim Community. Other members are also playing active roles in the administration of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
These include Prof Y.K. Yusuf, the current Dean of the Faculty of Arts; Dr (Mrs) L.M. Durosinmi, the current Dean of Students Affairs; Prof. M. Nasar, the current Rector of the Polytechnic, Ibadan; Engr A. Oyinlola, current Deputy Rector of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke; Dr I.O. Aransi, the current Vice Dean of the Faculty of Administration and the branch Chairman of our Association; Dr L.E. Umoru, the current Head of Department, Materials Science and Engineering and one time branch chairman of the Association; Dr K.T. Oladepo, the current Head of Department, Civil Engineering; to mention a few.
It’s also worth mentioning that Dr R.A. Adebayo, a member of the Association and a Consultant Cardiologist at OAUTHC, is the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Osun State branch.
Currently, some of our members are members of the Executive of the home branch of Great Ife Alumni Association. All these members occupying various positions of responsibilities have been enjoining the supports of other members of the Association as much as possible.
Dr I.O. Aransi
Chairman, Ile-Ife Chapter
Engr. A. M. Olajumoke
General Secretary, Ile-Ife Chapter
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL
REPORT OF UNIIFEMGA, LAGOS CHAPTER PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL REUNION OF UNIFEMGA TO HOLD AT OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE BETWEEN 22-24th MAY, 2009
All praise is due to Allah (The Owner of the Universe). It is by His Mercies that we are Muslims and it is our prayer that we should not die except as Muslims, Amin.
The core values of UNIIFEMGA which drive the vision and mission of our great Association remains the flagship that pilot our programme of activities.
Having spent 17 calendar months out of the 24 months of the present executive, our chapter drew the following programmes for the 2 year tenure:
1. Ileya Picnic: This took place in February 10, 2009 at Cool Breeze Resort at Alpha Beach, Lekki, Lagos State. This programme was used to welcome our members who participated in 2007 Hajj as well as entertain our members, non-members and their families. Due to popular demand, the Ileya Picnic is now known as Family Picnic.
The 2009 Family Picnic was held at FUNTOPIA where members received value for their money compared to our former venue, Alpha Beach.
2.1 day retreat for the young: This programme is targeted at newly graduated members of the Association with a view to train them to enable them perform better at their different place of work and/or to succeed in their various business callings.
It comes up once in a year and the year 2008 edition as held as detailed below:
Venue: UAC Training Centre, Apapa, Lagos.
Date: June 15, 2008
Fee: A token
The 2009 edition of the 1-day retreat programme was scheduled to take place on April 26, 2009, but due to unforeseen circumstances on the part of the Capacity Building Committee, the committee will advice members on a new date very soon.
3. Prayer Meetings: We scheduled 4 prayer meetings for the year 2008 but unfortunately, we were able to meet thrice. At the prayer meetings, we use to supplicate to Allah and thereafter hold our general meeting. The 3 prayer meetings were hosted as follows:
Date
Host
Venue
Time
March 30, 2008
Alhaji & Alhaja A. Popoola House
39, Atlantic Beach Estate, Off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
10 a.m.
May 11, 2008
Alhaji & Hajia Abdul-Waheed
Odeyimka 17, Kolawole Shonibare Close, Off Coker Road, Ilupeju, Lagos.
This year, we intend to have only 2 prayer meetings and these prayer meetings are to be held as follows:
Date
Host
Venue
Time
22nd February 2009
Alhaji & Alhaja Toye Bamiduro
33, Association Avenue, Off Magodo Road, Shangisha
10 a.m.
June 2009
Alhaji & Hajia Munir Animashaun
To be advised
10a.m.
The prayer meeting hosted by Alhaji & Alhaja Toye Bamiduro on 22nd February 2009 was successful. Despite tThe fact that attendance was not poor with a lot to be desired in our attendance at programsbut it was not satisfactory.
4. Annual Public Lecture / Luncheon: In year 2008, our annual public lecture / luncheon was sacrificed for the launching of the Network Project for the Disabled (NPD) which came into being in one of our public lectures held in 1998 at UNILAG. The launching was a big success as well as a great landmark for UNIIFEMGA. The report of the committee was submitted and it is under review.
This year, we intend to hold our purposefully sacrificed annual public lecture between July and August 2009. Venue and other reliable information relating to the event will be made known to members soon.
Worthy of mention is the fulfillment of pledges made by Lagos State Government by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. A sum of NGN3.5million was received from LASG and applied as follows:
i. NGN 2million to the O.A.U. Central Mosque, Ile-Ife under construction. ii. NGN 1million to UNIIFEMGA, Lagos Chapter aimed at rehabilitation of its Secretariat and iii. NGN 500k to National UNIIFEMGA
5. Ramadhan Joint Iftar: The blessed month of Ramadhan comes only once in an Islamic calendar. In 2008, the Ramadhan Joint Iftar was hosted by Dr. Kunle Oderinu at Anwar Islam Mission Hall at No. 8-10 Eric Manuel Crescent, Off Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos on 20th September, 2008.
Insha-Allahu, this year’s Ramadhan Joint Iftar has been fixed for 5th September, 2009 after considering some of our members who may be observing Umrah.this year.
6. Residential Retreat: Due to circumstances beyond the Capacity Building Committee’s control, the year 2008 edition of the residential retreat could not be held in 2008 but was successfully held between 13th – 15th March 2009. We commended the efforts of the committee and its members.
7. Retreat for the Elders: It is a pity despite the fact that we have been singing this song even before the advent of our tenure, we are still unable to fulfill our promise. Insha-Allahu, we have decided to hold one on October 11, 2009 because of its importance to our members especially the Elders.
8. Biennial General Meeting: This comes up once in 2 years. This programme serves as the end of one executive as well as the birth of another executive. We hope to hold the programme on 20th December, 2009, Insha-Allahu.
9. Mosque Project: The O.A.U. Central Mosque, Ile-Ife, under construction, has assumed another dimension of fund raising towards its completion. UNIIFEMGA National is spearheading the fund raising exercise this time around. Brochures and covering letters were produced and distributed to donors before, during and after the funtopia fun of our family picnic. It is our prayer that we should get it right this time, Amin.
10. Humanitarian Project: Our humanitarian project which metamorphosed into Humanitarian Committee is facing serious challenges because members failed to fulfill their promises. We appeal to members to help this committee, be it financial or otherwise, with what it needs to record a success.
11. Annual Due: Our annual due is NGN 6,000 per member. Only few members paid regularly while majority did not. We sincerely urge members to pay their annual due to enable the Chapter finance its programmes and obligations.
May Allah shower His Blessings on our Noble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and crown our efforts with Al-Jannah, Amin.
Maa Salam
ARC. M. A. AKINLUSI
Chairman, UNIFEMGA,
Lagos Chapter.
