The immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Mrs Mosunmola Belo-Olusoga, has officially handed over As-Sujood Mosque to Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, with a charge to the University Community to utilise the place of worship for intended purpose. She said the newly built ultra modern mosque was a dream come true just as she expressed delight that it would further inspire Muslims.
Belo-Olusoga, who recently donated the 1,200-capacity mosque to the University, gave the admonition in her remarks at the handover ceremony held on Friday, 11th November, 2022 at the mosque’s premises within the Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye.
At the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, who was accompanied by some Principal Officers, staff and members of the University Muslim Community, received the symbolic key to the mosque from the donor. He, in turn, handed over the key to the leadership of OOU Muslim Community represented by its Chairman, Prof. Mikail Lasun Gbadamosi.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the immediate past Pro-Chancellor for her kind gesture to the University. He noted that OOU will continue to appreciate her exemplary leadership, selfless services and uncommon philanthropy.
Prof. Agboola said, “On behalf of the Council, the Management and staff, we are very grateful for what you have done for us in this University. Long before now, we’ve known you to be someone that is selfless. There is nothing you cannot give and this is probably why the mercy of God continues to follow you. Anybody that does this kind of thing, there is no way God can depart from such people. I pray God to spare your life so that you can also do more to humanity.” “We thank you very much for this gesture. We want to say that the University Community appreciates you and will continue to appreciate you. The time you served us as the number one of this University, we have not forgotten and we’ll continue to look up to you as our mentor,” he added. The Vice-Chancellor further urged well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Mrs Belo-Olusoga by committing their wealth and personal resources to causes that would collectively benefit humanity. According to him, anyone who spends in the way of God will surely earn abundant reward.
“I do say that God always tests people with the little that He gives to them. If you use it well for mankind and His own glory, He will do more for you. Anybody that comes here now to worship will definitely pray for the donor,” he stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, OOU Muslim Community, Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi, expressed gratitude to the former Pro-Chancellor for her landmark donation and prayed God to reward her in abundance. He said members of the Muslim Community were excited about the new place of worship and would ensure its regular maintenance. Prof. Gbadamosi equally thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his unflinching support to the Muslim Community. He commended him for approving the land upon which the befitting mosque was built. He also assured that Muslims in the varsity would support the current Management in achieving its lofty goals.
“I want to thank the Vice-Chancellor for all the support he has been giving OOU Muslim Community. As a Christian, he still finds it wise to always pay into the account of the OOU Muslim Community. May Almighty Allah always be with you and ease your task in this University,” the Chairman said. On her part, the donor who was full of smiles, appreciated everyone that contributed to the successful completion of the mosque. She prayed Allah to grant her and other Muslims the ability to do more “to earn Allah’s mercy and pleasure.”
The ceremony climaxed with a special prayer session for the donor which was conducted by the Chief Imam of the University, Dr Abdul Hakeem Akanni. It will be recalled that the construction of As-Sujood Mosque commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, 30th July, 2021 while it was formally commissioned on Friday, 2nd September, 2022. The specially built mosque, with unique architectural design and features, is equipped with all the necessary facilities to enhance worshipping and sundry spiritual activities.
