PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS PRESENTED ON THE OCASSION OF THE 2ND NATIONAL GENERAL MEETING OF AL- HAYAT RELIEF FOUNDATION HELD ON SUNDAY JUNE 21ST 2009 AT THE (OGD) OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL’S HALL, TAI SOLARIN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, IJAGUN, IJEBU-ODE OGUN STATE, NIGERIA BY SALAKO TAOFIKI  AJANI.

OPENING:

We give thanks to Almighty Allah for His blessings, guidance and protection over us. May He continue to shower His blessings over us and continue to guide us to His right path and protect us from the evil machinations of our time which we have caused by our own hands. Let me once again on behalf of all Al-Hayat members pledge that our worships, our glorifications, our existence in this world and the hereafter shall be for Allah alone and it is from Him that we shall continue to seek for guidance and assistance.

ORIGIN:

 Permit me to bring back to our memory that the idea of establishing this society Al-Hayat Relief Foundation was moved by a brother, Alhaji Azeez Asif Olatubosun consequent upon his experiences of agonies faced by our Muslim colleagues who are forced to take loans from shylock lenders who charge exorbitant interests and which of course has been the bane for all worldly economic problems resulting into the present economic meltdown which is biting hard on all both the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the well to do and the average ones. Interest has been established to be promoting indolence in any society, encouraging joblessness and opening the citizenry to high risks of inflation, shortage of essential commodities, in-pending famine and high rate of robbery cases and other social vices.

The radical attempt to reduce vices, acquire wealth, take care of our welfare, purge off the poverty biting hard on Muslims and meet other financial obligations without going against the injunction of Allah prompted us to form this association which came into existence on Saturday 15^th March 1997.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. To champion the course of Islamic Economic System.
2. To give out financial relief to registered members on interest free basis.
3. To carry out welfare services on members.
4. To propagate the religion of Islam through dawah and financial assistance to the needy.
5. To carry out different schemes beneficial to members.
6. To observe all the pillars of Islam.

MEMBERSHIP:

Membership is opened to practicing Muslims working class, introduced by any registered member of the foundation. Presently, the foundation has 21 branches spread across Ogun and Lagos States and about 3,000 members. Efforts are on to establish branches in Oyo and Kwara States any moment from now.

MEETINGS:

All the branches of Al-Hayat hold their meetings once in a month. Reports from our Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Engineer Sikrullahi Adeeko indicate that all the branches were doing fine. Members’ attendance and participation were impressive, enthusiastic, highly challenging and encouraging. I use this medium to call on members not to relent on our efforts and also to charge our Monitoring Committee to intensify efforts in ensuring that all branches conform and comply with the laid down rules and principles of our foundation.

REGISTRATION OF THE SOCIETY:

Al-Hayat Relief Foundation is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja. Our registration no is CAC/IT/NO 18559.

ELECTED OFFICERS:

The Shura committee was saddled with the responsibility of selecting the new executive officers for another term of three years. The following people have emerged to steer the mantle of leadership for the next three years. They are:

1. President –     T.A. Salako
2. Vice President –     S.K. Adeeko
3. Secretary Gen. –     Alhaji R.I. Adepoju
4. Sec. Gen. –     Mr. O.B. Bakare
5. Treasurer –     A.O. Azeez
6. Financial Sec. –     F.A. Balogun
7. Internal Auditor –     M.A. Sabitu
8. Chief Whip                      –     A.Y.O. Oladunjoye
9. Social /Welfare Sec. –     A. Adeeeko
10. Publicity Sec. –     Ettu Azeez
11. Missionary –     Kamaldeen Ademolu
12. Business Manager –     R.T.Lekuti
13. One Ex. Officio member –    

COMMITTEES:

BUSINESS COMMITTEE:

Business is the life wire of Al-Hayat. The society relies solely on business since it does not take interests. The business activities of all the branches thrived well in the last financial year and all members who had at least a unit of share will take profit home today. The highest of profit to be taken in some branches is #43,080. This is a challenge to those who are yet to put more money in their share capital. Items of trading include Color Television, Video Tape, V.C.D players, Generators, Handsets and lines, motor cycles, set of chairs, pumping machines, G.P tanks, Stabilizers, Rechargeable lamps, fans, blenders, irons, kitchen items, tyres, Clippers, antenna, gas cooker, mattresses and pillows. Also the society bought lands and building materials for members, and members are now paying back.

Some bought vehicles of different brands through the society and they are equally paying back. Some members have become proud owners of their homes through Al-Hayat Relief Foundation. Congratulations landlords, we pray that In sha’a Allahu, other members of Al-Hayat will soon join this group of landlords. Be rest assured that we are all potential landlords if we can judiciously exploit the opportunity we have in Al-Hayat. I want to strongly appeal to those who have bought ‘’one item or the other to pay back promptly so as not to deny other intending buyers the opportunity of doing so.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (TAKAFULU) COMMITTEE:

The society operates a Takaful Group life insurance scheme. This is centrally administered by the national executive council under the chairmanship of Alhaj Razaq Adepoju. In the last financial year, the society paid a sum of #120,000 as compensations to the relations of six members who died within the year. May their souls rest in perfect peace. At this juncture, I want to appeal to the branches who are yet to send their insurance premiums for this current year to do so latest by June ending. Don’t forget that the deadline agreed upon in our NEC meeting was April ending 2009.

 ZAKAT AND SADAQAT COMMITTEE:

Al-Hayat has a committee known as Zakat and Sadaqat Committee which is in charge of carrying out enlightenment campaign among members and others. The committee under the Chairmanship of Alhaj Azeez Asif organized a summit on Zakat in August 2008. The Summit was held at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-ode under the chairmanship of Professor Y.A. Quadri, an erudite Professor of Islamic Studies from the University of Ilorin. Other participants were Alhaj Ahmad Abdus Salam Olalekan (Ipamuren) and Shaykh Abdul Rasaq Abdul Rahman from Iwo. The University Librarian Mr. Kadiri Jasiliu was the chief host on that occasion. The committee for the purpose of accountability issues receipts for all monies collected either as Zakat or sadaqat. As at date, the committee which is barely one year in existence has disbursed zakat fund to the tune of #100,000 to about five needy people among members and non-members of Al-Hayat.

MONITORING COMMITTEE:

The monitoring committee is headed by Engineer Sikirullahi Adeko, the committee did a thorough job and gave a comprehensive report on all the branches. Parts of the recommendations of this report have been implemented to bring sanity to the operation of all branches of Al-Hayat. Others will manifest here today.

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE:

This committee is headed by Mr. Oladunjoye A.Y.O. The committee did wonderfully well in mapping out rules and regulations that will guide the smooth running of the society. Their report has been submitted and it is awaiting deliberations and considerations. When approved it will become binding on all members of Al-Hayat without exceptions.

 

HAJJ AND UMRAH SERVICES COMMITTEE:

This committee is headed by Alhaj Yasir Abdullah. The committee was inaugurated about three years ago. In the first year of its inauguration, a member went on hajj with this committee. Last year, another two members went on pilgrimage with the committee. This year, there is green light that nothing less than to ten members will perform this year’s hajj with our hajj committee. I use this medium to inform our members who may be expecting some money in the next two or three months that this year’s hajj is not closed yet even though Lagos, Osun and others may not be willing to take money any longer.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE:

Education committee is headed by Alhaj Lukman Adesanya. The committee has submitted a proposal which is under deliberations. This will be considered and put into action in the current financial year.

AL-HAYAT GOLDEN HERITAGE LIMITED:

The businesses of Al-Hayat has been registered under the name Al-Hayat Golden Heritage Limited under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. Its registration no is RC797275. Apart from the businesses of the branches, NEC body of Al-Hayat has two business committees, one headed by Mr. Alebiosu and the other headed by Alhaj Abdul Samiu Abdul Lateef. The two committees performed well and recorded profits in the last financial year. We use this medium to thank the chairmen and members of these committees, may Allah reward them.

RENTAL BUSINESS:

Al-Hayat has a rental business which took off in the last financial year. A committee was put in charge headed by Mr. Alebiosu. The rental business is doing fine and making good returns.

YAT WATER:

As part of our intention to expand our business, we put up a committee to prepare proposal on Pure Water Factory. The committee was headed by Mr. Aliyu. The committee submitted a proposal which was deliberated upon. Consequently, we agreed to raise funds for the project by selling shares to members. With the support of Allah, members responded well and I am happy to inform this gathering that the Pure Water Factory began production about two weeks ago after NAFDAC’s inspection and approval. This factory was officially commissioned today by our father Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite who is also here to give us words of inspiration. The water from our factory will be served here for all. I on behalf of the Management Board call on all members to book as distributors to help promote our sale. Plans are on the way to establish Al-Hayat Petrol Station and set up Al Hayat estate. May Allah make these tasks realizable for us. Amin.

FINANCE:

The society ‘s financial record as at March 2009 put the total audited asset at #332,217,562 and net asset at #318,519,112. This is a reflection of all the branches account for the financial year ended March 2009. The treasurer of the association shall give the details in his reports.

SELF DEVELOPMENT SCHEME:

The society operates a self development scheme designed to assist members take care of some urgent needs and help the less privileged members take off micro business. It ranges from #5,000 to #10,000. Beneficiaries are to pay back within 10 months the exact amount collected without interests. A total sum of #3,230,000.00 was given out as S.D.S for the year.

INTEREST FREE LOANS:

One of the strongest aim of Al-Hayat is to give out interest free loan to members. In line with our constitution and with the spirit of Islam, our members enjoyed interest free loans of #71, 012,300.00 in the past financial year. Putting S.D.S and normal loans together, it means our members enjoyed a total sum of #74,242,300.00 altogether on interest free basis.

I want to call on members to always pay back promptly loans taken so as to give other members similar chances. We thank Allah that in the past twelve years, we have not recorded any bad debt. On our part, we are doing everything possible and fashioning out strategies to ensure that whoever plans to dupe Al-Hayat shall be the great looser at the end, May Allah not make any of us instrument of destruction and a cog in the wheel of Al-Hayat Relief Foundation.

SHARES IN JAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC:

Al-Hayat wants to commend the efforts of Jaiz International Plc and to give kudos to the Board of Directors who are making frantic moves to ensure that Islamic Banking flourish in Nigeria. We would like to request that when Jaiz comes into operation, a branch should be opened at Ijebu-ode where we have the National Headquarters of Al-Hayat Relief Foundation so as to satisfy the yearnings of our Muslim brothers and sisters who are longing for Islamic Banking. It is our belief that Al-Hayat members will serve as standby and ready-made customers for Jaiz International Bank PLC here in Ijebu –Ode. Like I said exactly three years ago, the pains and agonies and the enlightenment campaigns which Jaiz will embark upon to attract people and customers have all been undertaken by Al-Hayat in its past twelve years of operation. Al-Hayat membership about three years ago was 450, today, the membership has increased to about 3,000 which is an indication that our Muslim populace has become more enlightened about Islamic financial principles. We are again calling on our father Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite who was the Chaiman of our NGM three years ago to use his good office and influence to make this request a reality in order to satisfy the yearnings of Muslims in patronizing a purely Islamic Banking System.

OUR BANKERS:

Al-Hayat Relief Foundation operates accounts with Wema Bank Plc, Afribank Plc, First Bank Plc, Oceanic Bank and United Bank for Africa Plc all in Ijebu-ode and other banks where Al Hayat exists. Like we did three years ago, it was only UBA that honoured our invitation by sending two of its staff to grace the occasion. We are also doing so again today to enable them know us better, their customer. One strong principle in the banking industry is for the banks to know their customers. We thank our bankers who have sent in their representatives to grace this occasion. It is our belief that our members would receive better services henceforth and that the banks would not hesitate to give us useful advice where need be for further improvements.

WITHDRAWAL:

A couple of members were ejected from the society from different branches including those who were advised to voluntarily withdraw due to their perpetual absence from meetings and constant failure to fulfill their financial commitments.

APPRECIATION:

We thank Allah for His mercies upon us, we thank our legal advisers for their continued supports, we also thank our patron in person of Alhaji Imam Ayanbadejo Eketa Adinni of Ijebu-Land for his spiritual and fatherly support. We also express our sincere appreciations to all our guests especially Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite, Our guest lecturer, our father, Otunba Owoyemi, Professor Tella Sharafadeen, the Moyegose of Itele Engineer Kasali, the Chairman of Ijebu-ode Local Government Giwa Muftau Oseni and others. May Allah assist you in all your endeavors.

I specially want to express our appreciation to Dr. Abayomi Arigbabu the Dean Students Affairs for his support and assistance anytime we call on him. He facilitated the use of this hall for our ceremony with no cost at all. He did a similar thing in December 2008 when we organized the Zakat Summit in the University here. We pray that Allah will continue to bless you and He will lift you to higher heights. Amin.

On behalf of the executive body, I commend the efforts of all Al-Hayat members for their understanding and maturity, encouragement and positive attitudes during monthly meetings. If you have not cooperated to bring your money to Al-Hayat’s pool and created time to serve at different levels of one committee or the other, we would not have achived this success thus far.

May the Almighty Allah create a more conducive and convenient environment and more suitable opportunities for us as Muslims. May He save us from the shambles of this economic meltdown. May He grant us sound health in sound body, and all the good things of this and that of the hereafter.

T.A. SALAKO

(President 2006 to 2009).