In the spirit of religious unity and stewardship, the Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, Old Muslim Students (LASMOCOL OMS) celebrated its 15th anniversary since its establishment in 2010.
The event, held in Agege, Lagos, was attended by the Monarch of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, along with a host of other dignitaries.
Expressing delight in the vision of the Alumni and its leadership, the Monarch disclosed that the organization won his heart during their initial familiarization visit to his palace. He emphasized that it was a great pleasure to witness such remarkable individuals, who graduated from a school in his community, contributing significantly to their alma mater and the world at large.
In his words, “I am so elated to be here today. I prayed to Allah to spare me until this day, and He did. Today is a testament to your commitment to give back to your juniors and strengthen the bond among you as Muslims. For the past 15 years, I have been proud of you. I reviewed the profile of your president, and all I could say to Allah is Alhamdulillah. I am confident of a brighter future for the teeming Muslim youths of Civil Service Model College with you visionary leaders at the helm. I pray Allah continues to strengthen you all. Congratulations!”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the president of the Muslim Alumni, Engineer Yusuf Majolagbe, recalled that the Alumni’s 15-year celebration would not have been possible without the commendable sacrifices of the pioneering Muslim teachers who nurtured them during their school days. He noted that the Alumni will forever be grateful for their guidance and sacrifices.
“Today is a day of joy, especially for our great teachers and mentors who shaped us into who we are today. I am grateful to you all for honoring us today. Fifteen years ago, we came together as a community, bound by shared experiences, values, and aspirations. As we gather to commemorate this journey, we reflect on the theme of our celebration: Nurturing Hearts, Strengthening Bonds, and Growing Together. This theme encapsulates the essence of our alumni association and the spirit of unity that has guided us over the years.
“As we celebrate this remarkable 15-year milestone, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity. Let us continue to nurture hearts, strengthen bonds, and grow together, not just for ourselves but for future generations. Together, we can create a legacy that reflects our values and commitment to one another. I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank the Kabiyesi for holding us dear. To our beloved teachers, we appreciate you always. You are our heroes. I thank the sponsors, and the entire Alumni community for making this achievement possible; it will remain a beautiful memory,” Majolagbe emphasized.
Speaking on the theme, “Nurturing Hearts, Strengthening Bonds, and Growing Together”, the Guest Speaker, Mr. Abimbola Abdul Lateef Idowu, CEO of VAV Nigeria and the first Amir of the OMS, discussed the importance of constantly purifying the heart through dhikr and positive thoughts. He stated, “The heart of a believer is the core of faith. The heart is the foundation. Without the heart, there is no foundation. Fellow brethren in Islam, the theme before us serves as an admonition for us all. Achieving this great feat today is a result of the hearts we nurtured fifteen years ago.”
“In everything we do, there must be a basis of intentionality. When we maintain a positive attitude towards propagating Allah’s cause and are intentional about it, it strengthens our bonds and relationships. I implore all alumni to continue doing everything possible to maintain the ties of the Muslim Ummah and our families, as we will all be accountable on the Day of Qiyamah,” Idowu added.
Also speaking, one of the special guests and an alumnus, Barrister Olayinka Ajenifuja, expressed gratitude to their former teachers for the invaluable lessons they instilled, describing their sacrifices as second to none.
Goodwill messages were delivered by all the former Muslim teachers and representatives of the junior and senior school principals.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the inaugural magazine publication produced by the Alumni, titled Hearts in Harmony, documenting the achievements of the Alumni since its inception.
The event also featured award presentations to the Kabiyesi of Igbogbo Kingdom, the former Muslim teachers, other dignitaries, and the pioneering executives of the Muslim Alumni.
