Ich werde weiterhin die Religionsfreiheit garantieren.

President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to upholding freedom of religion during the commissioning ceremony of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN) National Headquarters in Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday. Speaking at the event, Tinubu emphasized that his government would continue to safeguard religious freedoms as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. His remarks were delivered in the presence of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who represented him at the occasion. Tinubu praised ADSN for its longstanding contributions to Nigerian society, highlighting its role in education, moral development, religious services, healthcare, humanitarian work, and community development over the past century. He described the organization as one of the leading Islamic entities in the country and stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and faith-based organizations in achieving national progress. According to Tinubu, such partnerships are essential for building an enlightened, disciplined, and compassionate society. He specifically acknowledged Alhaji Femi Okunnu, the donor of the Secretariat, for his generous contribution to the construction of the facility, which he called a lasting act of faith and generosity. Tinubu noted that the project would serve humanity for generations and commended Okunnu for his integrity, humility, and dedication to public service. He also highlighted the Okunnu family’s reputation for patriotism and selfless service to Nigeria. In addition to Tinubu’s address, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadiri Hamzat, encouraged ADSN to uphold its founding principles by promoting education, moral values, and righteous living. He described knowledge as a critical asset for national development and lamented the current societal challenge of eroded values among youth. Hamzat pointed out that some young people now view education as a scam and others celebrate ignorance, urging Islamic educational institutions to counter these trends. He recalled how ADSN played a pivotal role in changing perceptions around Western education for Muslim children in the past, establishing schools and fostering learning. He added that the benefits of these efforts continue to impact present generations. Hamzat emphasized that no nation can thrive if its citizens lack proper education and warned against the dangers of neglecting intellectual growth. National President of ADSN, Alhaji Mosediq Kazeem, expressed pride in the completion of the new National Headquarters, calling it a realization of a long-standing vision. He framed the Secretariat not just as a physical structure but as a symbol of the society’s enduring values, vision, sacrifice, faith, and service. Kazeem noted that after 103 years of operation, ADSN is poised for an even brighter future by reinforcing its institutions, embracing innovation, empowering youth, and maintaining its tradition of excellence. He reiterated the society’s collaborative approach with government in cultivating responsible citizens and strengthening communities. Kazeem explained that the society’s impact extends beyond tangible achievements like school construction or project implementation, measuring success instead by the generations of Nigerians it has positively influenced.