By Daud Olatunji

Two Islamic Scholars and prominent people in the country have lauded Al-Hayat relief foundation, a non-governmental Islamic interest-free cooperative society for giving out a huge sum of N500 million as loans to Muslims in one year. Some of the Islamic Scholars who include   the Grand Chief Imam of Ijebu-land , Sheikh Abdul-Razaq Ishola Salaudeen and Chief Imam, University of Lagos,  Prof . Bidmus Murtala Adeyemi gave the accolade at the grand finale of  4th annual national general meeting held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

Sheikh Salaudeen who led the special prayers for the foundation,  said the gesture by the body has relieved the Muslim Ummah of financial burden which he said has forced many to obtain loan with interest. In his remarks,  Prof. Bidmus who was a guest speaker at the occasion urged the Muslims  to assist  one another. He commended the foundation for the gesture,  saying,  the huge  amount given out by Al-hayat as loans was unbelievable.

Also speaking,  the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abajo Musa Olabode appealed to the leadership of the foundation to sustain the tempo,  saying,  many Muslims have benefited from the foundation. According to him, the sum of N500 million given out as loans in one year beat human imagination as no bank in the country can do that without attaching interest.

However, the new executive of the foundation led by its President,  Dr. Abdul Razaq Adepoju  which  would run it  for another three years was   inaugurated. The association has a national spread but, has prominence in Yoruba speaking states which include Ogun, Oyo, Lagos,  Osun, Ondo, Kwara states of Nigeria. The association which was founded in 1997  has the membership strength  running into 11,000 while it has increased from 38 branches in 2012 to 60 branches this year.

According to the president,  membership is opened to practising Muslims, working class introduced by any registered member of  the foundation. Dr. Adepoju said the  foundation was able to give out interest-free loans and  Self Development Scheme of N591,248,000 in 2015 as against N517,099,000 in  2014.

The new exco are; DR. Abdul Razaq Adepoju; President , A.Y.O Oladunjoye, Vice President, Mr Abdul Lateef Adeeko- Secretary-General, S A Shuaib; Assistant-Secretary-General,Alhaji Fatai Balogun -Treasurer ,Mr. AbdurRasheed  Dawodu, Financial- Secretary. Others are; Salisu  Jamiu; Internal  Auditor,Mr A G Nurudeen -Chief whip,Mr.Ademola Shafi-Social/Welfare Secretary, Mr. Waheed  Akindele-Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abdul Semiu Abdul Lateef Missioner ,Alhaji Bakare Fasasi -Business manager and Dr, Taofeeq Salako-Ex-Officio