The league of Imams (LOI) in Lagos State, for almost twenty years, has been responsible for helping the State Government during Hajj by giving lectures to would be and existing Alhajis and Alhajas, whom Allah had chosen to perform Hajj every year.
More than ten of them have worked with different Amirul Hajj in Lagos State, starting from Professor Gbadamosi in the 70’s, who was the Chairman, with the late Alhaji Olatunde and from there to Alhaji Olatunde Balogun, the former Head of Service (HOS). After that, we had Alhaji Kunle Ajanaku; Alhaji Raji, an Honourable member; Alhaji Olatunde Balogun, and Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole after which came the turn of Alhaji Dr. Abdulateef Abdul Hakeem, the incumbent Amirul Hajj and the Commissioner for Home Affairs.
The Imams have worked with these past chairmen because they know the knitty-gritty of Hajj operations. They later formed and registered an association named LAJNAT ULAMAH LIKHDMATIL-HUJAJ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, which would be launched on April 1, 2018, at the Ikate Elegushi Central Mosque Hall. The purpose of the Association, according to them, was to showcase the unrelenting contributions and guidance towards yearly Hajj exercise of Lagos State Hajj Pilgrims Board, not only in Lagos State but nationwide.
In order to create awareness, the group had decided to present Award of Excellence to individuals, who had contributed to the growth of Islam in Lagos and Nigeria generally. The Publisher of Oriwu Sun, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, according to the Chairman, Planning Committee, Alhaji Isa Olowo, had contributed immensely to the growth of Islam, especially on Hajj in Lagos State, having performed the pilgrimage for twenty two years consecutively.
For more than one hour, about nine of them, who visited him at his office at Itoikin Road, Sabo, Ikorodu to felicitate with him, explained the aims and objectives of the group. They appealed to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to tap the knowledge and experience of the Publisher on Hajj exercise. According to them, the Publisher, who is a renowned philanthropist, would always say the truth without fear or favour.
Among the members of the group, who visited the Publisher on February 15, 2018, were Imam Abubakar Raji, Chairman; Imam Olowo Isa, Vice Chairman; Imam Ashimiyu Abimbola, Missioner; Imam Abdulsemiu Oloye, Deputy Missioner; Imam Abdsemiu Oloje, Treasurer; Imam Nuraen Abdulazeez, Member; Imam Nuraen Alfa Nla, member; Imam Abdquadr Oba, P.R.O; Lawal Jamaldeen A., Secretary, and Dr. Abdkabir O. Paramole, member.