PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS NSCIA DEPUTY PRESIDENT-GENERAL, BABALOLA
President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on the passing of its Deputy President-General, Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola.
The President also extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Alhaji Babalola and all Muslim Ummah who are mourning the loss of the accomplished businessman, whose life was defined by service to others.
For his contributions to the Islamic community in Nigeria, particularly in his capacity as the President-General of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), President Buhari affirms that Alhaji Babalola will be long remembered for promoting peace, generosity, and compassion.
The President prays Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourn.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 2, 2019
UMA mourns MUSWEN President, Babalola
The University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) has eulogized the late President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Chief Sakariyau O. Babalola who died on Wednesday morning.
In a condolence message, UMA President and Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ogun State, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salis, described the late Babalola who also was the Deputy National President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) as a colossus of the Muslim community whose commitment and generosity will be sorely missed.
Said Salis: “Chief S.O. Babalola was a pillar of Islam in Nigeria. He was a selfless man who contributed immensely to the spiritual, educational and economic empowerment of Muslims across the country. He was one of the founding fathers of MUSWEN and played an exemplary role as President until his demise. We pray Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with the best of Paradise.
“We also express our condolences to Chief Babalola’s family in particular and the entire Nigerian Muslim community in general. May his soul rest in perfect peace, amen.”
Chief Babalola has been buried in Lagos in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
MUSWEN President, Babalola: A Life of Service, MPAC
With the death, yesterday of Dr. Sakariyau BABALOLA, the President 9f Muslims 9f South Western Nigeria MUSWEN and Deputy President General of Nigeria Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, the Muslim world has lost another illustrious son who dedicated his entire life to the service of Allah, beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Dr. Babalola lived an extremely Spartan life despite the immense blessings of Allah on him. His humility was legendary, and his unparalleled leadership qualities manifest in his pioneering efforts at the formation of MUSWEN, the coordinating body for Muslims in Southern Nigeria, not just the South West.
That Muslim organizstions in Southern Nigeria are cohesive, speaking with one voice and presenting common front on issues of national concerns are due largely to the maturity and magnanimity of late Dr. Babalola.
Though at the Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC Nigeria, we are are sorely pained at the death of this father figure of Muslims, we are console the he lived a life of worthy legacy.
Death is a certainty, because every soul shall taste death. The beauty of death particularly for the Muslim whose covenant of devotion and service to Allah remained sacrosanct till his last breath, is that Allah has promised such Al jannat.
So, we console ourselves as we pray to Allah to continue to raise for our ummah men and women of strong faith and inspiring and exemplary character to provide leadership for the Muslim Ummah and the nation at large.
Abdulwarees Solanke
Director, Media and Strategic Communications Muslim Public Affairs Centre MPAC Nigeria
NASFAT MOURNS THE PASSAGE OF ALH S O. Babalola.
The leadership of Nasrul Lahi l fatih Society NASFAT expresses its shock and sadness over the demise of the Deputy President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA Southwest, Alh Zakariyyah Olayiwola Babalola which occurred in the early hours of today.
NASFAT President, Engr Kamil Bolarinwa described the late business mogul as a great pillar of support for Islam stating that the late SOB Babalola was very compassionate about Islam and was always willing to rise to any demand relating to the deen and the Ummah.
Owing to his exemplary leadership qualities, as the pioneer President of the Muslim Ummah of the Southwest, Islam grew tremendously and rapidly in the Southwest. His tenure promoted unity, harmony and development among the Islamic Stakeholders in the country.
Speaking further Engr Bolarinwa added that Late Alhaji SOB will be fondly remembered for his outstanding philanthropy. which benefitted Muslims and non Muslims as well as Islamic Organizations across the country . A honorary doctoral awardee of Fountain University Osogbo, late Dr SOB Babalola singlehandedly funded the construction of current Senate building of the institution in a record period of 3months , Bolarinwa added
He will also be remembered for his,simplicity, humility and good.naturedliness
Though we are pained by his death we are consoled by the word of Allah in the Quran 3:169–171.We pray that Allah should reward his philanthropic activities as ‘recurring charities’ he prayed
NASFAT therefore commiserates with the entire Ummah , the President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs His Eminence Abubakar Mohammed Sadiq ,Sultan of Sokoto , Muslim Ummah of Southwest MUSWEN , the deceased family and Osun State Government. for the loss of this great Nigerian and a worthy ambassador of Islam’
‘While we mourn the passage of this great icon, we enjoin the stakeholders to emulate the sterling qualities of the deceased for which he endeared himself to many. NASFAT equally advise that the successor of this great icon in his positions should be meticulously selected,’ he advised
We pray Almighty Allah to accept the repose of his soul ,grant him Aljannah firdaos and grant the bereaved the strength to bear the loss.
Banji Busari
Publicity Secretary NASFAT