By Kehinde Aderemi
The week-long event marking the 50th anniversary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria elders’ group, Majlis Ansarullah, came to an end with pomp and ceremony.
The annual event brought together delegates from across Nigeria and representatives from Benin Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone.
More than 50,000 Muslim ulamas and members of the Islamic organisation, were present at the Arcade, palace of the Alake of Egba land, to celebrate the special event.
It was the 50th Golden Jubilee National Ijtema tagged: “Olúmọ 2026”, with the theme: “Faith-based Solution to Global Challenges”.
The week-long convention featured key religious lectures, Quranic recitation and speech competitions, a two-day free medical outreach at the General Hospital, Iberekodo, where over 1,000 people benefited from medical consultation and drug administration.
More than 150 people received free eyeglasses, even as leaders of the organisation paid courtesy visits to religious, traditional and political leaders, with special prayers for global peace and national stability.
On Saturday August 22, the event began with a formal procession from Lisabi Grammar School, Idi Aba to the Ake Arcade.
In his opening remarks, Amir (Head) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, expressed gratitude to Allah for sustaining Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria over five decades of service to humanity, noting that the Islamic organisation has fulfilled its mandate.
He also expressed appreciation to the Supreme Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (atba), and the Amir (Head) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for his spiritual guidance.
He thanked all members of the Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria for their commitment and efforts in ensuring that the 50th Ijtema (convention) was successful.
Alhaji Alatoye Folorunso also charged members of the Islamic organisation to remain committed to worthy cause of Allah, pointing out that the best way to impact the society is to ensure peace, by doing everything that is necessary to improve the lives of others.
Alatoye charged members of the organisation to demonstrate practical faith through exemplary conduct, sincere worship, moral discipline.
“Our wealth of experience, wisdom and leadership should continue to inspire younger generations and strengthen the mission of the jammat,” he said.
The guest lecturer, Dr Saheed Timehin, who spoke on the title: “Faith-based Solutions to Global Challenges”, said the 21st century confronts the world with unprecedented challenges.
He noted that wars of varying dimensions continue to devastate communities leaving in their wake both physical and psychological scars.
According to him, economic inequality has also challenged social cohesion, he however noted that apart from science, technology or governance, what matters most is for humanity to be guided by moral wisdom.
“Islam has taught us the enduring truth that power exists to serve, not to dominate, that wealth is trust, not an idol, that leadership is stewardship, not privilege, that difference is opportunities for mutual enrichment rather than perpetual conflict. That every human being possesses sacred worth and that justice and compassion are partners, never rivals. This is the underlying philosophy of humanity,” he added.
He, however, urged members of the Ahmadiyyah to see people of other faiths as brothers, quoting from the Holy Quran, the Holy Bible and the words of the traditional believers.
Representatives from Benin Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone also presented their goodwill messages respectively to the leadership of the organisation
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ogun State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Emmanuel Adekunle said there is need for peaceful coexistence among all the three religions in Nigeria.
According to the cleric, the essence of life is to impact the lives of others by demonstrating peaceful coexistence with everybody irrespective of their religious backgrounds and beliefs.
“I will like to express my appreciation to the organisers of this event. It is good when we see ourselves as brothers and sisters as we serve God, irrespective of our religious affiliation. It is by being peaceful with others that we worship God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth,” he said.
The event also became lively as prominent guests including royal fathers and participants visited the exhibition stand where they see and read about the history and religious perspectives about Ahmadiyah and Islam.
Apart from the royal fathers from across Ogun State, other guests in attendance included former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosu, who was represented by Alhaji Musibaudeen Adeyemi, immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Sarafa Ishola, Sheikh Jinadu Abiola, Major Atoyebi Abdul Lateeef, Prof. Shola Arulogun and Col. Raji Mustapha, among others.
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