Kunle Adelabu
-As celebrant uses birthday to raise funds for NASFAT’s projects
Unlike the common ways of throwing talk -of – the -town parties to celebrate milestone birthdays of affluent and influential individuals, Alhaji Monsur Babatunde Ajenifuja, popularly called ‘MBA’, in a special but powerful way ‘dragged’ the who-is-who in government, political space and private sector in Lagos and Nigeria, to the Nasrul-lahi-il-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), lkorodu branch, to honour him at his 70th birthday celebration.
The event marked the continuation of Alhaji Ajenifuja’s selfless service to humanity, purposeful life, kind -hearted nature and philanthropism, as he solely used the celebration to raise funds for NASFAT Ikorodu branch and propagate the work of God.
At the special celebration held at the NASFAT Ikorodu branch mosque, Kasoleri, Ikorodu, on Sunday, were Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Principal Secretary to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Babajide Sanwo -Olu, Governor of Lagos State, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman, House Committee on Defense and representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, Chief of Lagos State, Dr. Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN and an astute businessman, Mr. Lawal Pedro, (SAN), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, and HRM Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo among many others.
Chairman, NASFAT Ikorodu, Engr. Oladnjoye Shakiru, setting the tone for the celebration of Alhaji Ajenifuja, described the celebrant as a silent philanthropist and builder who has contributed immensely to the development of NASFAT, and assisted many people, a gesture he said earned him the name, “Baba NASFAT”.
He lauded him for celebrating his 70th birthday at NASFAT Mosque, and using it to raise funds in support of NASFAT projects. He assured friends of the celebrant and guests that whatever that they donate in support of Alhaji Ajenifuja, will be put into good use.
Engr. Oladunjoye listed some of NASFAT’s projects to include an ultra – modern clinic, well- equipped laboratory, NASFAT Nursery and Primary School, NASFAT estate for members, NASFAT cemetery which is an ongoing project and also proposed establishment of an operation theatre inside the NASFAT clinic.
Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, congratulating the celebrant, said that his 70th birthday celebration in the month of Ramadan is very significant and carries lot of blessings.
He acknowledged the blessings of God in the life of the celebrant, stating that he has good health, and looking younger at 70 with a good wife.
The governor, who said that he would not have missed the celebration for anything, also added that Alhaji Ajenifuja is blessed with good and influential children, emphasising that their influence have brought who -is -who to the birthday celebration.
Sanwo – Olu commended the celebrant for celebrating his birthday with an islamic lecture and to raise funds for Mosque developmental projects which, according to him, is beneficial to many. He supported the multiple projects being embarked upon by NASFAT with N50million.
Mr Hakeem Muri -Okunola, the Principal Secretary to President Bola Tinubu, congratulated and offered prayers to the celebrant with unannounced contribution.
Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, said that the celebration of 70th birthday by Alhaji Ajenifuja, is worthwhile and a blessing during Ramadan. He offered special prayers for the celebrant and Mr President. His donation was equally unannounced.
Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, the Odofin of Ikorodu who commended the large audience at NASFAT, donated N20 million and a bus.
A lady from Zamfara State who described the celebrant as a father, donated N20 million on behalf of her family and N10milion personally.
Fadeelat Sheikh Sulaimon Obadina delivered the birthday celebration lecture of Alhaji Monsur Babatunde Ajenifuja, while Imam Akinpelu Mustapha led the reading of the Holy Quran to offer special prayer for the celebrant who is currently the Chairman of the Elders Council of NASFAT Ikorodu branch.
There were several other donations from other eminent personalities, families and groups that attended the special birthday celebration.
Profile of Alhaji Monsur Babatunde Ajenifuja
Alhaji Monsur Babatunde Ajenifuja, who has been variously described as a kind-hearted man, a philanthropist and above all a servant of Allah, is not only an ardent worshipper of His Lord, but also one who has dedicated his entire life in the service of his creator.
To different people, he represents different personalities- a father (biological and non-biological), a mentor, a reliable friend, a confidant, an agriculturist, a banker, a farmer and to almighty Allah, an obedient servant.
The celebrant belong to the elite and socialite Ajenifuja-Alejo and Onilere families of Ikorodu. He spent his early life acquiring education from St. John Primary School, Aroloya, St. Finbars College Baptist Academy and Anwar- ul -Islam College (all in Lagos), before proceeding to the premier University of Ibadan, to read Agricultural Economics after which he commenced a banking career with the then Afribank Nigeria Limited where he started as an Agric Credit Officer, and rose to the position of Regional Manager (Kaduna Region) and retire as Group Head (Retail Banking) in Lagos, in 2004.
In his private life, he ventured into core agriculture as a farmer and also involved in importing poultry equipment.
The celebrant, who is an unrepresented promoter of fairness and justices, is married to Alhaja Kafayat Adetounbo Ajenifuja from the Tinubu/ Kotun dynasties of Lagos. The union which can be described as a perfect blend of good morals, kind, loving, upright and Godly fore-parents, is blessed with children that are even higher and more pronounced in the worship and service of Allah.
Alhaji Ajenifuja is a prominent member of NASFAT Worldwide. He served as the Chairman, Council of Elders, NASFAT Kaduna in 2003, before finally relocating to Lagos and joining NASFAT Ikorodu branch with the successful delivery of projects, while his families have equally been agents of change towards the development and growth of the branch.
The celebrant described the secret of his success thus: “When you kneel in prayers for Allah, Allah will stand up to support you”, and also another passage from the Holy Quran, which says: “and whosoever fears Allah, Allah will make a way out for him, and will provide for him from where he does not expect”.
