Follow Us on Google
• Lagos agog as Hamzat, Fashola, Okunnu, Makanjuola, others relive memories with renovated 100-year-old
Wasinmi Mosque
By Kehinde Aderemi
Fond memories of the late Sheikh Aliu Makanjuola Alli-Balogun came to life recently, as descendants of the late Islamic cleric, business mogul and philanthropist gathered to celebrate the iconic life and times of their progenitor.
The event, organised by Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation, came with the official commissioning of the newly renovated 100-year-old Alli Balogun Wasimi Mosque, on Lagos Island.
The re-opening of this modern architectural design is a demonstration of urban regeneration, historical preservation, commitment to the Islamic faith and a celebration of legacy.
The modern architecture of the mosque blends functional spaces for prayers with symbolic, artistic and historical elements featuring domes, pillars, minarets, and courtyards.
The newly refurbished mosque, it was gathered, was built in 1925 by Sheikh Alli-Balogun. But today, the old mosque wears a new look with sustainable materials, glass, steel, and wood as modern designs while maintaining its traditional, geometric and calligraphic ornamentation with sustainable values.
The Alli Balogun Memorial Wasimi Mosque stands as an imposing edifice on Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, (formerly Victoria Street) in Lagos.
This was not the first time the family would roll out the drums to celebrate their great progenitor, in July 2023, the descendants of the late cleric also gathered to launch the Alli- Balogun Memorial Foundation, under the umbrella of the Alli-Balogun Dynasty.
It was their own way of honouring the legacies of a man whose name has continued to resonate in Lagos and beyond, having touched so many lives in his time.
The foundation, the reporter gathered, focuses on three core areas: education, community service and inter-religious harmony.
Prominent Nigerians that gathered at the event included the renowned Nigerian lawyer and elder statesman, Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu, SAN; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; Senator Gbenga Ashafa, white caps chiefs that represented the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, led by the Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose; and Chief Imam of Lagos State, Fadilatul-Shaikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abu-Nollaand, an engineer, community leaders among others.
Also present were Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, Great grand-daughter of Alli- Balogun, Alhaja Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola; her husband, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola; and the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Fadilatul-Shaikh, Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abu-Nolla.
Others were Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Monsur Omokehinde Alli Balogun, Chairman, Alli-Balogun Descendants Union; and Otunba Nurudeen Ojora, among others.
In his remarks, Dr. Hamzat, said the legacies of the late Alli-Balogun would continue to live in the minds of not only his descendants but also those that had benefitted from his impactful life.
“This is legacy- a house of worship for Muslims to pray in. And as our Imams have always told us, there are few things that you can leave behind which will be your reward after death. This is one of them, may Almighty Allah grant Aljana Firdaus to him and all those that are supporting us today.
“Baba has done his own and I am sure he has got the blessings of Almighty Allah. We thank Almighty Allah that we are able to gather here today, and it reminds us as Muslims that we are at the forefront of great things in this state and we should not forget.
Therefore, when you mention Lagos, we should not be behind. We must be at the forefront to say these are the things we have done to foster good relationships. When Mama was talking, she said some of the people that contributed to the newly refurbished mosque were Christians. In our community, we don’t divide ourselves based on religion and may Almighty Allah continue to allow peace to reign in our state,” he said.
Great grand-daughter of the deceased and wife of Mr Aderemi Makanjuola, Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mrs Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola, said the event was about cherishing one’s heritage.
Makanjuola, who is also the chairperson of the Foundation, explained that she was overwhelmed with joy.
“It is pleasing to inherit such an edifice. A house of worship. This is a monument. You cannot quantify a building right in the heart of Lagos Island to be 100 years plus and nothing happened to it. When you look around the pillars, the structures that it holds, including the first floor, the minaret, it is fantastically unbelievable. “They are still intact. We just changed few things.
Initially, we thought it would take us a year or two because of the magnitude of repairs but we were able to do it under one year. This is a historic house of worship that has stood as a beacon of faith and unity for over 100 years. For us as a family, we are very proud to have something that has stood the test of time. A hundred years is not a short period and we believe that the edifice will stand for the next 100 years.
“To carry on the legacy, this is why we are here today and we want to appreciate everybody for being there for us. It is 100 years plus now and it is my prayer that almighty Allah will let it stand for another 100 years and for upcoming generations”.
She expressed her gratitude to prominent Nigerians who contributed to give the mosque a new facelift.
“To every hand that contributed to the restoration of this mosque through great financial support, skilled labour, wise counsel, or heartfelt joy, we are grateful. We only shut this mosque for just three months, and going forward, we have set a committee that would oversee the maintenance of the mosque,” she stated.
Former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, described the Alli- Balogun mosque as not just a mosque but a very important piece of the history of Lagos in the pre-colonial era.
“This newly renovated mosque should last beyond that. Just as you have seen, buildings last hundreds of years in other parts of the world. Instructive also as the Management Committee and Board of Trustees told us, this was an initiative that was supported not just by Muslims, but also by Christians. And if you read the brochure and leaflet you will see the history of Lagos in the colonial era.
“There are lots of positives. You can see the beauty of the architecture of that time.
“So, instead of bringing it down, they actually refurbished it, preserved and restored it,” the ex- minister of Works and Housing stated.
Meanwhile, elder statesman, Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu, SAN, noted that there are lessons to be learnt regarding the event.
“I feel very happy for the descendants and his great grandchildren who have done this. May Allah reward them abundantly. The lessons learnt here is that what is in your pockets is not yours. Give generously and always assist the poor.”
Chairman of Crescent Bearers, Mr. Dele Martins, said the event represents a true testament to excellence.
“You cannot be in here and not have a feel of being in the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, and I think those who designed it were trying in their own little way to replicate that Masjid.”
In his remarks, Chairman Alli-Balogun Descendants Union, Otunba Nurudeen Ojora said : “We thank God that we are part of that history now. A hundred years and still counting, this mosque is here. Under the support of our Chairperson, our sister, and the Iyadini, Alhaja Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola.”
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Jamiu Alli- Balogun, who is also one of the great great-grandsons of Sheik Alli-Balogun said the move is about taking charge of God’s property which was built by his great-grandfather.
“I am very happy for the descendants of Alli-Balogun. It is his great grandchildren who have done this, may Allah reward them abundantly. We came together to come and assess the situation of the mosque and then God gave us that strength, the resources to rehabilitate the mosque. This is the result. It is a common effort of the family and friends of the family who came together and rallied round to give the mosque a new look.”
He added that plans are underway to sustain the legacy.
“Maintenance is the essence of those donations. We have capable hands that are in charge of those resources. We have ex-bankers in the family who know how to manage resources, along with seasoned administrators. They are all part of those that will take charge and maintain the mosque.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of the foundation, who is also one of the great grand-daughter, Mrs. Lola Ogunbambi, explained that the turnout of dignitaries was great and overwhelming.
“The funds that we got and the turnout of dignitaries was a huge blessing to us .It is a big honour to us that Alhaji Okunnu came, at his age. He promised to come and he made it happen. If I look back at my great-great-grandfather, the late Sheikh Alli-Balogun, one of the ideals that he lived for were religion and community and we got the support of community today. I am happy to be part of history as a descendant of Sheikh Alli-Balogun”, she said.
One of the members of the foundation, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, expressed gratitude to Allah for the success of the project.
Chief Imam of the Mosque, Alhaji Monsur Omokehinde Alli-Balogun said he was elated as the first descendant to occupy the high office.
“I am the first descendant of the deceased to be appointed Imam of this mosque, which to me is a call to service. It is now 101 years this year but seven years ago, it was in a bad shape.
“But through the efforts of my people and people of like minds, we were able to put it back to this envious position and restore the structure. I am happy and I promise to keep the legacy alive,” the cleric explained.
Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola, who is also one of the great-grandchildren of the late Alli-Balogun, described the newly renovated mosque as their heritage.
“It is so wonderful to be here, looking at the legacy that has been preserved. My mother has worked very hard to carry on from her grandfather. We will continue to maintain our heritage and keep it for generations to come,” he stated.
