A group of Nigerian Muslims based in the United States,Canada and Europe recently unveiled their plan to build a N500 million educational facility in Epe,Lagos State.
The group is a faith-based, not-for- profit organization that is made up of some eminent Nigerians that are devoted Muslims.Their mission is to propagate Islam by deploying their resources to helping out in areas of education and sports.
Speaking on the new initiative,the visioner of the the project, Ustaz
Ahmed Lasisi, said the proposed Peace Centre for Culture and Knowledge is an educational facility that will serve as incubator to train and nurture the minds of young Muslims from their kindergarten age to adulthood.
Lasisi stated also that the proposed educational project located at Ini- Iraye in Epe area of Lagos,will be useful for both the school and the community with various facilities like a befitting hall for knowledge- based seminars and lectures, event centre for Walimot, Wedding and other social Islamic functions.
Lasisi, the Canada- based Nigerian told a story of a 30- year- old named Abdullah, born to a devout muslim parents,with basic and elementary education at a Catholic school.But later found grace with the advice of his uncle who taught him about the oneness of Allah.
He added that today,many young Muslims face the same fate as that of Abdullah and the vision to rescue lies in the establishment of the Peace Centre.
” We are registered both in Nigeria and Canada as a not-for- profit organization.Two years ago,we acquired ten plots of land at Ini- Iraye in Epe,with all the necessary documents intact.
“The proposed facilities to be built on the land include the mosque for 700 males and 500 females,the school including libraries,Imam’s quarters, dormitories,court yard and event centres and artificial turf for various sporting events.
“The idea is to focus on ways to protect our young muslims from going astray.We want to capture their minds when they are young.
“We have so many of our brilliant minds that have been lured to other religions, because there is no better facility that will take care of their educational needs, especially now that we are in a highly contested environment, where people prey on their vulnerability and change the course of their lives.
Lasisi explained further that the project is in four stages, stressing that the first stage, which is the acquisition of the land had been completed and that there is a timeline of about 18 months from the ground breaking to the completion of the project.
” We seek donations from Muslims from all over the world to complete this project.It is not about us but about the future of our young ones.
The Peace Centre is encompassing because it is integrating some of the Yoruba culture that is fused directly with that of Islam into the school system.
One of the Board of Trustees of the organization,Ustaz Ibrahim Balogun said the construction of the project will start in earnest.
“By the special grace of almighty Allah,we are not going to dither.We
have our account details both here and in Canada and I want to assure all donors that every single amount of money contributed for this project will go directly to what it is meant for.
“We have those with fear of Allah and men of integrity as board of trustee members and their job is to monitor the whole of the project from the beginning to the stage of completion.
” When completed,the Peace Centre for Culture and Knowledge would be a legacy project and the young generations of Islamic ulamas graduating from the school will make positive impact that will transform the world”,he said.
Other members of BOT of Peace Centre for Culture and Knowledge include Ustaz Isiak Okusi,Ustaz Abdul Akeem Buhari,Ustaz Abdul Fatai Tunde Lawal,and Ustaz Abdul Roheem Olayemi among others.
