Full text of the address of welcome by the president of Unilag Muslim Alumni (UMA), Dr. Abdulmumin Alao, at the 30th pre-Ramadan lecture

ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY THE PRESIDENT OF UNILAG MUSLIM ALUMNI (UMA), DR. ABDULMUMIN ALAO, AT THE 30TH PRE-RAMADAN LECTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS ON YAUM AHAD, 24TH SHAA’BAN, 1446 AH (SUNDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY, 2025).

Audhubillahi minashaetooni rojeem. Ashiadu anlaa ilaha ilaLlahu. Wa ashiadu ana Muhammadu abuduhu wa rosuuluhu. Bismillahi Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem.

I seek refuge with Allah from satan, the accursed one. I bear witness that none is worthy of worship except Allah, Subuanohuu Wa Taa’la. I also bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the servant and apostle of Allah. I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

On behalf of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, it is my honour and privilege to welcome everyone to this epoch-making 30th edition of our annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture. Thirty years of any human endeavor should not be taken for granted. Therefore, we give immeasurable thanks to Almighty Allah (SWT) for giving us the grace to bring the lecture series this far. We pray also that He gives us the strength to continue doing this for many more decades to come, amen.

The theme for this year’s lecture is “The Transformative Power of Ramadan.” The objective of the choice is to highlight the immense benefits embedded in the holy month so that we can prepare to exploit them in full. The lead topic of discussion is “Islam at the Intersection of Humanity and Religion.” This topic was inspired by the apparent dilemma of Muslims on how to find the right balance between the demands of our faith, and the rights of our neighbours which sometimes might be in conflict.

Our second topic of discussion is “Shari’ah in South West Nigeria.” During the past few weeks, this subject matter has come to the front burner following developments in Ekiti State where a traditional ruler purportedly “banned” the setting up of a Shari’ah Arbitration Panel as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism between and among willing Muslims in his domain. Is it true that the Shari’ah is strange to South West Nigeria? Is there no history, past or present, of its adoption and application in the private lives of willing Muslims in the region? Is it against the Nigerian Constitution for willing Muslims to opt for adjudication of some aspects of their personal lives according to the Shari’ah? Do traditional rulers or government officials have the power to ban private citizens from adopting an Alternative Dispute Resolution instrument of their choice?

We have invited two renowned legal scholars to educate us on these carefully selected topics. Professor Mashood Baderin of the University of London is an expert in Islamic Law and International Human Rights Law, which makes him a perfect fit for our lead topic. He is making a second appearance in our annual lecture series, having delivered our 14th lecture in 2008. Justice Abdur-Raheem Ahmad Sayi of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Ilorin, Kwara State, going by his training and vocation, has the requisite qualification and practical knowledge to answer all the questions raised by the second topic. He is making his first appearance with us, having distinguished himself as one of the charismatic Muslim preachers in Nigeria today. I am confident that we will go home well educated by our guest speakers. I implore us to listen to them with rapt attention.

This Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture is just one of our numerous programmes at the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni. But the only other programme that I would like to highlight in this address is our Scholarship Programme under which we support indigent Muslim post-graduate students to pursue careers in the academia. As an association of intellectuals, UMA decided to focus on this specific area of need when we noticed the huge shortage of Muslim manpower in the sector.

A summary of how far we have gone with our scholarship intervention over the years can be found elsewhere in this brochure. We humbly invite individuals and corporate donors to subscribe to the scholarship scheme as sponsors so that we can produce more PhD holders from amongst the Muslim Ummah. Our desire is to commemorate this 30th anniversary lecture by doubling the number of PhD scholarships that we have awarded so far. We can achieve this objective with generous support of our special guests here today.

In further commemoration of the 30th anniversary of this lecture, we have also  shortlisted for special recognition some of our Imams and scholars who have delivered our Yoruba language lectures in the past. We thank these famous preachers for their contributions to making the UMA Pre-Ramadan Lecture the Number One in the whole of Lagos and environs and we welcome them to this occasion, this time as special guests. May Allah (SWT) reward them both in this world and the hereafter, Amin.

Before I close this address, permit me to express gratitude to our principal guests for accepting our invitation to this lecture. Our Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, graciously accepted to deliver a keynote address at this gathering at very short notice. The Chairman of the Occasion and former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, even was not in the country when he gave his consent that he would preside over proceedings. Our Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Professor) Saka Adeola Matemilola was the first to confirm that he would be present. What they all demonstrated with their responses was great humility, which is a cherished value in Islam. May Allah continue to elevate them.

I will like to thank our Chief Host, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, Vice Chancellor of our great University of Lagos for always supporting the UMA. Indeed, she has been a generous host because she approved our use of this Auditorium at a minuscule fraction of the actual cost of the rent. We pray that Allah will continue to guide her in the management of our great university, the Best By Far! Great Akokites!

Also, I will like to thank members of the UMA Board of Trustees led by the Chairman, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, who doubles as the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN. As the custodians of UMA, our BOT continues to provide invaluable guidance and support for us in the National Executive Council. May Allah reward them for their untiring efforts, amen.

Finally, on behalf of the BOT, the executives and members of UMA, I express gratitude to all our other Guests of Honour and Special Guests too numerous to mention who are here with us today. And to everyone in this wonderful audience, I say a warm welcome to our 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture. Thank you for coming. JazakumuLlahu khair. May Allah (SWT) grant us the full rewards of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, amen.

Assalamun alaikum waramatullah wabarakatuh.

Ramadan Kareem!!! Allahu Akram!!!

Dr. Abdulmumin Alao

National President, UNILAG MUSLIM ALUMNI.