It was a dream come true for members of Olabisi Onabanjo University Muslim Community when the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Mrs Mosunmola Belo-Olusoga, turned the sod for the construction of Sujood Mosque — the University’s new mosque at the Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye. The historic event took place on Friday, July 30, 2021.
The mosque project, which is scheduled for completion within 44 weeks, was donated to the University Muslim Community by Mrs Belo-Olusoga whose tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council ended in May, this year.
At the groundbreaking ceremony signaling the formal commencement of the construction of the mosque, Mrs Belo-Olusoga disclosed that she donated the mosque in appreciation of God’s grace and mercy upon her. She said, though she had always wanted to build a mosque, the dream crystallized after she survived a serious illness a few years ago. According to the former Pro-Chancellor, Almighty Allah preserved her life for a reason and gave her a chance to rededicate herself to the cause of humanity.
“I am an embodiment of God’s mercy. It is not by how hard I have worked or how brilliant I am, but Allah has been so merciful. I’ve truly been a trail blazer and it’s not because of anything extra that I did. So, this is just an avenue for me to thank Allah for what He has done for me,” she declared. While recalling her ugly experience on the sick bed and how she miraculously got healed, Mrs Belo-Olusoga said she was grateful to God for sparing her life and would not relent in contributing her quota towards charitable causes. She said, “A couple of years ago, I went to England for a short vacation. Five days later, I became seriously ill for almost a year.
“The doctors say I’m a wonder because, truly, from what I have gone through to where I am now, they are still in shock. It is only God’s mercy. It is only Allah that has kept me. Allah must have preserved me for a reason. So, when I left the hospital I said to myself that Allah has given me a chance to rededicate myself to Him.” Mrs Belo-Olusoga pledged to do her best in propagating Islam and also urged the Muslim faithful to strive to be good ambassadors of their religion.
She added: “Islam has been tagged with very negative connotations, it is time for us to start changing the narratives. We are a peaceful set of people, we are loving. Islam says we should do charity. But, unfortunately, many are not doing charity as they should. So, let us be ambassadors of Islam. Let people see the beauty of Islam in each and every one of us and Allah will make it easy for us.” When the construction of the mosque is completed, the former Pro-Chancellor expressed optimism that members of the Muslim Community “will really be proud and enjoy worshipping there.”
“I am very happy that everyone is here for the turning of the sod. We are starting with Bismillah. Insha Allah in 44 weeks, in less than a year, we will come and say Alhamdulillah,” an obviously delighted Mrs Belo-Olusoga said to the joy of her audience.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, said he was excited about the mosque project and commended the gesture of the donor. He expressed joy that the turning of sod for the mosque eventually took place after a couple of postponements. He prayed to God to reward the donor. Prof. Olatunde further praised Mrs Belo-Olusoga for her commitment, dedication and exemplary leadership while she served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council in the University. He revealed that throughout her tenure, she never collected any sitting allowance but chose to dedicate the money to scholarship awards for students.
While giving further insights into the mosque project, the Vice-Chancellor said: “When our Mama (Mrs Belo-Olusoga) was about concluding her term, she called me and asked what she can do for the University.
“When I was running around and racking my brain about what she could do, mama said ‘do you have a mosque?’ I made enquiry and leaders of the Muslim Community explained that where we currently use as mosque was originally a hall but it was temporarily converted for worship purposes. I then told her that we don’t have a mosque yet.
“She immediately declared that she would build a mosque for the University. I was so happy and excited. In fact, she taught me another perspective of life because the only property that cannot be sold by your children or family after you have left this world is the mosque.”
“If you build a 10-storey house, your children may sell it. There is nothing you can build that cannot be sold. But a mosque is not like that. And for the location to be in the University, it’s for perpetuity. So, we thank God for you,” Prof. Olatunde submitted. He revealed that he had seen the architectural design of the mosque, and he was enthusiastic that the place of worship would be a cynosure of all eyes on campus when completed.
“By God’s grace, those who started it would finish it and God will not deny the donor of the reward. We have shifted this small ceremony for about three times. But thank God we have now held it. We can’t reward the donor other than to thank her,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, OOU Muslim Community, Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi, appreciated the former Pro-Chancellor for donating the mosque, saying the Muslim faithful have been looking forward to it. He prayed God to reward the donor abundantly.
Apart from the Vice-Chancellor, other Principal Officers of the University in attendance included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Deji Agboola; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Adekoya; Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju; Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole; and Bursar, Mr Semiu Makinde.
Also present were the pioneer Chief Imam of the University, Emeritus Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, incumbent Chief Imam, Dr Abdul Hakeem Akanni, and the mosque project supervisor, Arc. Supo Jagun, among others.
