By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

The National President of Ansarul Deen Society of Nigeria, Mr Musedeeq Adeniji-Kazeem, has urged citizens to always strive to make the society better by building lasting legacies.

Adeniji-Kazeem, a former Lagos State attorney-general, said this in Lagos, at a programme to award Honorary Doctorate Degree in Science (Business Administration) to Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila, mother of Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, by Summit University, Offa, Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the honouree also launched a N2.5bn development fund for the university’s College of Nursing at the event.

Adeniji-Kazeem, the Visitor to the institution, owned by Ansarul-Deen, urged the citizens, especially the well-to-do, not to live for themselves alone, but also for others.

“We must strive to live a life of impact, a life that not only impacts the people around us positively, but also the society.

“We should live to be remembered. Let us leave lasting legacies; let us strive to live for humanity,” he said.

Adeniji-Kazeem also said the award was also to recognise the awardee for her principled leadership and service to the community.

“The award is testament of values, Summit University believes that business leadership must be purposeful, women must be empowered as architect development, and philanthropy must be intentional and institutionalised.

“It is based on this we are giving this award to Chief Lateefat Gbajabiamila, a woman with great educational and professional exposure. She has demonstrated principled leadership and dedication to community service,” he said.

Adeniji-Kazeem commended Gbajabiamila’s mother for launching the development fund for the school, saying the move would help provide quality nursing education to students.

He urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the honoree by supporting the institution.

Speaking, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa, Chairman, Governing Council of the university, congratulated Alhaja Gbajabiamila on the award, saying it was in appreciation of her contributions to her community and beyond.

He said the Gbajabiamila family had done so much for Surulere, the state and the nation.

“Today, we are celebrating the renowned family of Gbajabiamila for their outstanding contributions to the progress and development of Surulere and other parts of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“It is no surprise that this family produced the current Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

He also commended Alhaja Gbajabiamila for the launch of the development fund for the school’s college of nursing, saying it would help boost nursing education in the country.

Adisa urged well-meaning Nigerians to support the institution by donating to the fund.

In her acceptance speech, Alhaja Gbajabiamila thanked the university for the honour, appreciating her family for their love and support.

She urged Nigerians to support the institution’s College of Nursing to enable it train a new generation of compassionate leaders and healers.

“I receive this honour with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty Allah and with the tender abiding memory of my beloved late husband, late Alhaji Lateef Gbajabiamila (Chief Magistrate), whose faith, guidance and prayers shaped the woman and servant I have become

“I thank my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who bore my burdens with love, patience and devotion. My soul remains deeply rooted in the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria where I found faith, fellowship and a life of purpose in service to Islam and humanity.

“The Lateefat Gbajabiamila College of Nursing at Summit University, Offa is my prayer made visible and sanctuary where young women and men will be trained to heal, to lead and to serve with compassion. I humbly invite all friends, families and well wishers to support this vision with generous donations, so that this legacy may stand long after I am gone,” she said.

Speaking, the Chief of Staff to the President thanked the university for honouring her mother.

He also thanked guests, including ministers, top politicians and captains of industry, for honouring the family with their presence.

“I want to thank everybody who made this a very glorious occasion. I thank all our fathers that are here today.

“We don’t take this for granted, for anybody to show up here on Saturday when there is so much to do and be seated here for hours, it’s a great testament to the esteem with which you hold our mother and family. God will continue to be with you, Allah will continue to protect and bless you.

“I thank the members of the National Assembly as well that are gathered here, friends, Kabiyesi’s and white cap Chiefs for sitting through this. We thank Allah for this woman seated to my right.

“At 96, been recognised and acknowledged and given a Doctorate Degree by Summit University is not an accident, it is not a coincidence, it is track record and I thank God for her life,” he said.

The chief of staff announced a donation of N200million to the fund, drawing applause from guests.

NAN reports that other guests present also made donations to the funds. (NAN)