The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (AUD) has conferred national special merit awards on Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Minister of Works, Housing and Power.
Among the 18 awardees are the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Musiliu Smith, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), former Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB) and Mrs. Mosun Bello-Olusoga and 18 others who were also recognised posthumously.
Welcoming guests to the occasion over the weekend, the National President of the association, Alhaji (Dr.) Lateef Olufemi Okunnu explained that the awardees were especially honoured for their immense contributions to the upliftment of mankind, commitment to good governance and as worthy ambassadors of the religion of Islam.
Dr. Okunnu extolled the virtues of the founding fathers of the association since December 1923 by a band of 42 men at the Alawiye compound, Balogun Quarters Lagos area.
He enjoined younger members of the association to show increased commitment to the ideals with which the founders formed the association 95 years ago.
In a lecture titled “A Transaction That Never Fails” delivered by Alhaji (Dr) Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, the National missioner of the association, he urged Muslim faithful to invest in the lives of others and communities as specified by the Almighty Allah, saying that such transactions are recession free and devoid of anxiety generated by share movements and the likes.
He enjoined wealthy Nigerians to invest their earnings in ventures that will make life more meaningful to fellow mankind, reduce hardships in the land, provide quality education for the benefits of indigent students and provide food and jobs for the less privileged in the society.
“Transaction with Almighty Allah is the only treasure that is not driven by inflation or affected by a recession. Allah has not only promised to reward people that followed his dictates abundantly but return all that they have spent,” he added.
He condemned as the height of insanity people who bury ill-gotten wealth in sewage pits, saying that wealth acquired honestly guarantees long life and rest of mind.
Condemning jihad that connotes violence, the Missioner stated that jihad is not by killing and suicide bombings, saying it is bringing about peace, education, improvement in the lives of the masses and making life more comfortable for the citizens.