…launches IBILE Muslim Foundation.

By Chris Onuoha 

Lotus Bank has partnered with the Muslim Community in Lagos to kick off a poverty alleviation initiative tagged, “Empowering Communities Through Zakat, Sadaqah and Waqf” with the official launch and public presentation of a people oriented common wealth project called ‘Ibile Muslim Foundation.’

The event held Saturday, July 6, 2024 at the Main Auditorium,  University of Lagos attracted influential muslim personalities with the Lagos State Governor,  Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as special guest.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Dr.  Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, commended the organisers and enjoined Muslims to reach out to the less-privileged and create lasting impacts that will be felt for generations to come, adding that through the payment of zakat, sadaqat, and waqf, poverty eradication and empowerment to the needy in the society will be reduced.

Described the collaboration between Lotus Bank and IBILE Muslims Community Foundation as a significant milestone in the collective efforts of the government, religious bodies and the financial institution, the Governor also charged the Board of Trustees to ensure transparency and accountability in their operations. 

Earlier in his address, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Oluwatoyin Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, stated that the Foundation is not just an organisation but a beacon of hope and symbol of collective responsibility towards one another and the development of the community.

Abou-Nolla emphasized that Zakat and Sadaqah were integral to faith, stressing that the Foundation hoped to extend assistance to those in need, support the vulnerable, and foster solidarity within the community.

“Calling it ‘IBILE’is just a nomenclature of togetherness among people in Lagos. The State operates in a five division of Ibile cluster that include Ikeja, Badagry, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Epe. It is a format we work with. It is not politics, but a pure Islamic project with no segregation. The main aim is to create impact in the society,” he said. 

Sheik Abou-Nolla explained that it is not about religion, noting that it is about rendering service to humanity regardless of the structure the Foundation is using. 

Mrs Kafilat Araoye, the Managing Director, Lotus Bank and member, Board of Trustees,  IBILE Muslim Foundation, said,

“Our role here is too broad. One is to support the Foundation itself financially and another is giving administrative support that includes helping to get office space. This is where we play a big role because we are experts in Islamic financial standards.

“We will also give them technical support to ensure that the Foundation is set up properly, and to follow sharia and Islamic principles of managing such funds. In our sponsorship role, we do this to empower people and to take beggars off the street,” said Araoye.

She noted that the initiative is not a palliative gesture but  permanent solutions to eradicating poverty in the society. 

“As a member of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, we will ensure that we abide by the Islamic principles of accountability. We will also engage in sourcing supports from multinational companies to raise fund for the sustainability of the Foundation. As far as there is governance and accountability, there would be sustainability,” said Araoye, as she enjoins other States to key into the initiative.

Also speaking, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa commended Lotus Bank and Chief Imam of Lagos for spearheading such alleviation programme.

Obasa explained that the benefits of Zakat and Sadaqah is very essential to eradicate poverty from the society. “It is well stated in Holy Quran that we must always give. If you are blessed by the almighty Allah, you must reach out to your family members and by extension, to every other member of the society.”

The Speaker disclosed that the Lagos State House of Assembly is already considering a law to ban street begging with considerations to a more organised and decent way to support the less privileged.

“We are coming up with a law that will regulate such menace in our society. We will empower the government and foundations to collect the donation on behalf of the people, and people can in turn reach out to them, instead of being on the streets. 

By doing that, anybody who goes against this law by putting people particularly, children on the street to beg, will face the consequences,” Obasa added.

The guest speakers, Prof. AbdilRasaq Alaro and Sheikh Sulaiman Onikijipa alongside other speakers stressed the significance of Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf in eradicating poverty and empowering the needy and less privileged in the community.

The Secretary, Steering Committe, Ibile Foundation, Engr, Nasir Giwa in his words of appreciation thanked the royal father of the day, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, Oba of Lagos for opening the floodgates of donation with N100 million donation. He also commended other influential personalities, such as Senator Abiru, Yemi Lawal, Chief Tijani Folawiyo and other House of Representatives members present who donated to the foundation.

Others include Grand Imam Chief Olowooribi of Ikorodu division; Sheik Sadallah Abdul-Rahman Abiola Aliru of Epe division; Sheik Abdulhakeem Isola Akewushola of Badagry division and Sheik Al-Imam Qomorudeen Adeola of Ikeja division.