The College of Nursing Sciences, Muslim Medical Foundation, Saki, Oyo State, has held a special prayer session to commemorate the donation of several infrastructural facilities to the institution, including a 500-seater Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre donated by Alhaji Azeez Adedokun Olowolagba.
The prayer session attracted an array of traditional and religious leaders, academics, professionals, community leaders and other distinguished personalities, who gathered to celebrate the institution’s strides in infrastructural development and pray for its sustained growth, academic advancement and institutional prosperity.
Among the facilities donated to the college are an A Block of classrooms donated by Dr Abdulrasheed Adeyemi Adeniran, popularly known as Gasma; another A Block of classrooms donated by the Managing Director of Al-Jassas Hospital, Saki, Alhaji Mukaila Oluwaniyi; a twin flat donated by the grandchildren of Bakoja Gbogbo Duka Adeleke; and two units of twin flats donated by the Awidere family.
The institution has also benefited from a Vocational Training Centre donated by Alhaja (Chief) Amudalat Arike Mustapha and a female hostel donated by Alhaja Silifat Adeleke Bakoja.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the event and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, expressed delight at the transformation and steady development of the College of Nursing Sciences, Muslim Medical Foundation, Saki.
Olaniyan described the institution as a great citadel of learning, commending its management for its efforts at providing quality education and professional training for its students.
He, however, urged the management to undertake a comprehensive review and reorganisation of the institution’s master plan, stressing that a well-articulated development blueprint was imperative for the orderly expansion and optimal utilisation of the available land.
According to him, the limited expanse of land at the permanent site could soon become fully occupied without deliberate and strategic planning.
He therefore advised the management to revisit the existing layout and ensure that future infrastructural projects were undertaken within the framework of a comprehensive master plan capable of accommodating the institution’s future expansion.
Olaniyan also commended Olowolagba for donating the 500-seater ICT Centre, praying that Allah would continue to enrich him, grant him longevity and reward his generosity.
He similarly prayed for divine blessings and rewards for other benefactors whose contributions, he said, had continued to strengthen the institution’s infrastructural base.
The former deputy governor further pledged to make his own contribution towards the continued development of the college in the near future.
Also speaking through his representative, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Mr Segun Olayiwola, commended the benefactors for their contributions to the development of the institution.
The commissioner urged the management to ensure the judicious use and proper maintenance of the facilities provided by the philanthropists.
He was represented by Mr Adeyemo O.A., Permanent Secretary/Inspector-General of Education, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Saki Zonal Office.
Olayiwola also commended the management for its commitment to the advancement of the institution.
The guest speaker, Prof. Lukman Olateju Alawiye, observed that although the community was blessed with wealthy individuals and philanthropists, only a few had demonstrated the willingness to commit substantial resources to educational and community development.
He noted that many wealthy individuals preferred to channel their resources into ventures such as petroleum and real estate in pursuit of further accumulation of wealth.
Alawiye described the decision by Olowolagba and other benefactors to invest substantial resources in the development of the college as a commendable demonstration of philanthropy and commitment to human capital development.
He noted that interventions directed towards education and the empowerment of students represented investments whose benefits could transcend generations.
The guest speaker prayed that Allah would abundantly reward the principal donor and other philanthropists for their contributions in this world and the hereafter.
He also charged the management to ensure that the newly donated ICT Centre was properly maintained and effectively deployed for teaching, learning, research and other academic activities.
Alawiye further appealed to Muslim leaders to remain united and collectively work towards the advancement of the Deen.
Earlier, the Chief Host and Balogun Adinni of Oke-Ogun and Aare Musulumi of Sakiland, Alhaji Moshood Akinwumi Master, welcomed dignitaries and guests to the occasion.
Akinwumi Master used the gathering to remember those who had passed away but contributed significantly to the establishment and development of the institution.
He urged Islamic stakeholders to regard themselves as members of one indivisible community and shun tendencies capable of engendering division among Muslim leaders and stakeholders.
The occasion was attended by several prominent personalities, including Prince Justice Munta Abimbola, former Chief Judge of Oyo State; Lieutenant Colonel Adamu, Commanding Officer, 244 Recce Battalion, Asabari Barracks, Saki; Sheikh Abd Azeez Jejekunmi Areebo Masojo; Chief Imam of Sakiland, Engr. Yunus Jolaiya Gbadamosi; Chairman, Muslim Community, Saki, Alhaji Abdulwahab Folorunso Ọlọ́run Èrò; and Chairman, NSCIA, Saki, Sheikh Musa Jubril.
Others were Sheikh Abd Wahab Fowewe, Sheikh Muhammad Abd Lateef, Alhaja Idris Sahadah, Hon. Shittu Ibrahim, Sheikh Abdukareem Alaro, Alhaji Ibrahim Azim, Mufti of Sakiland, and other distinguished personalities.
The special prayer session therefore served as both a thanksgiving and a solemn call for sustained investment in the institution, as the management, religious leaders, community stakeholders and well-wishers acknowledged the contributions of Olowolagba and other benefactors to the development of the College of Nursing Sciences, Muslim Medical Foundation, Saki.
The gathering also provided an avenue for prayers for the continued growth, academic excellence and institutional success of the college, as well as divine blessings upon individuals and families whose philanthropy has contributed to its development.