Prominent Islamic and political leaders have extolled the virtues of the Executive Chairman of Lagos Central Mosque who is also the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou, as he clocked 100 years.
A special prayer was organised at Lagos the Central Mosque, Idumota on Wednesday for the Islamic personality as he became a centenarian, a rare feat in Nigeria today where the life expectancy rate is said to be dwindling.
Sheikh Abou has seen it all as an Islamic scholar of note, nurtured and brought up in the tradition of Islamic erudition. His father, Late Imam Tijani Faramobi Abou, was a grandson to the Chief Imam of Lagos, Late Muhammad Nolla. His mother, Nusirat Abou, was the daughter of the late Imam Muse of Olowogbowo, a famous Lagos Island community, as well as the first Iya Sunna of Surulere (New Lagos) Central Mosque.
Born at Ita Akanni area of Lagos on August 10, 1922, he started his quest for knowledge at the Lagos Government School and later the Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Alakoro.
He attended the prestigious Al-Azhar University, Cairo between 1944 and 1958, where he obtained Al-Allamiyyah Certificate B.A Arabic and Islamic Studies and Licentiate in Islamic Law from the Faculty of Shariah in the Judiciary section of the university.
Since his retirement in 1972 as a school principal, he has been an active player in affairs concerning Islam and Muslims at the national and international levels.
He was patron of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in the 1960s; a member of the Fatwa Committee of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the National Missioner of the Muslim Association of Nigeria; member, National Committee on Shariah and member, Council of Ulama.
His turbanning as Baba Adinni of Lagos on August 14, 2009 was a crowning glory for his decades of service to Islam.
Dignitaries, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Sultan of Sokoto/President-General of NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad III were at the birthday prayer and felicitated with the centenarian, describing him as an eminent and worthy religious leader.
President Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, extolled the selfless contributions of Sheikh Abou to national development and peaceful coexistence in the country.
“Allah has been so good to him, no wonder, his longevity and success on the face of the earth,” the president said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was earlier represented at the prayer session in Idumota by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, attended the reception later in the day.
He said: “Sheikh Abou is worthy of emulating and has lived his life worshipping the Almighty Allah and serving humanity the best way he could as the Baba Adinni of Lagos.
“He has been a role model to many Islamic faithful including clerics and leaders.”
Sultan Abubakar, who was also represented by the chairman, Sokoto State Zakat and Waqf Commission (SOZECOM), Mallam Lawan Maidoki, prayed to Allah to continue to increase Sheikh Abou in faith.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi Macfoy, said the centenary celebration of the revered Islamic scholar was the first in the history of Lagos Central Mosque since the introduction of Islam into Lagos by the Malians in the 17th century.
Macfoy, who is the Bashorun Musulumi of Lagos said: “He became the Baba Adinni in 2009 and worked closely with his predecessors – the late Alhaji Waheed Elias and the late Alhaji Wahab Folawiyo – since he returned from Cairo, Egypt in late fifties.
“No prominent Muslim leader in Lagos lived up to 100 years. Sheikh has been steadfast in his contribution to the development of Islam in Lagos and Nigeria.”
He added that Sheikh Abou was celebrated because he is acknowledged in Nigeria and abroad as a renowned Islamic scholar.
“He achieved so much in the administration of Lagos Central Mosque since inception as Baba Adinni of Lagos,” he said.
The Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, said the centenary celebration was unique and a divine gift from Allah.
“Baba’s life is worthy of emulation and a source of inspiration for millions of Muslims who undoubtedly hold him as a mentor. I am enthused by his exceptional leadership style and tremendous contributions toward the propagation of Islam throughout the world and most particularly in Nigeria.
“He has groomed some of the best minds and captains of industries in our beloved country,” the chief Imam said.
