The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT)of the Island Muslim Community (IMC), in Lagos State, Alhaji AbduRafiu Adisa Ebiti, has enjoined Muslim philanthropists, corporate bodies, groups, individuals both within the state and outside to support the N5 billion social infrastructure projects of the organization.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Lekki Central Mosque on Tuesday, 25 February, 2025, Ebiti said the proposed projects of the IMC include Shariah-compliant Muslim cemeteries, orphanages, hospitals and which “are currently non-existent in the Victoria Island/Ikoyi and Ibeju-Lekki axis.
“It is rather pathetic to note that such essential facilities as cemeteries, orphanages, women and children hospital, Hala recreation centres, etc, are either non-existent or inadequate in our local jurisdiction. This explains why we are embarking on an arduous task of raising N5 billion for the provision of such essential Islamic social infrastructure for the teeming Muslim population in the aforementioned axis,” Ebiti said.
According to him, it is an open secret that the ancient cemeteries on the island, such as Oke Sunnah, Abari, and Ikoyi are already bursting at the seams
The IMC Chairman also added that, l unfortunately too, the few highbrow cemeteries available hardly meet Islamic standards, quite apart from the fact that their charges are relatively exorbitant.
“In view of the ugly situation, we have made cemeteries our flagship project. While we are already negotiating for expansive parcels of land for cemeteries in the Ibeju-Lekki and Epe areas, we have been gifted a land in Ikorodu,” he said.
Ebiti also announced that IMC has commenced work at Ikorodu cemetery site, while firming up efforts on that of Ibeju-Lekki axis.
On orphanages, IMC BoT Chairman noted that currently, there are less than five Muslim orphanages in Lagos State, even though the state’s population stands at 22 million with a preponderance of Muslims.
While stating that orphanages serve as veritable avenues for shaping the religious future of orphans, Ebiti said “we need to have as many of them as purpose as possible to avoid losing innocent Muslims children to other faiths through non-Muslims orphanages”.
Ebiti, who disclosed that a kind Muslim has donated a block of four flats to IMC for the purpose of an orphanage, added that already renovating and re-modeling the building to conform with the regulations of the Lagos State Government on orphanages.
He said the parlous state of the health care system in the country obviously demands that the IMC also intervenes in the healthcare sector in the community jurisdiction.
“We intend to establish world class women and children hospitals where the dignity of our women will be respected,” Ebiti said, just as he also disclosed that a parcel of land has been donated.
While stating that the projects are just few of the numerous social infrastructures, Ebiti said IMC has invited renowned philanthropists from far and near to come and launch the N5 billion Social Infrastructure fund scheduled to hold at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island on Saturday, 1 March, 2025.
IMC BoT Chairman appealed to all well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies to support this noble cause and donate generously towards the projects, adding that even after the official launching of the social infrastructure Fund, “we expect that the donations will continue till the lifetime of the projects”.
