The pursuit of education and a commitment to philanthropy took centre stage at Imam Comprehensive College (ICC)’s 20th Anniversary, 16th Valedictory Service and Prize Giving Day, which was marked by the highly anticipated launch of a new book authored by a former Lagos State Director of Education.
The event, celebrating two decades of the institution’s commitment to both Western and Islamic learning, was crowned by the unveiling of a book by Alhaja Ramota Olaniyan.
The author, whose personal journey is a powerful narrative of resilience, revealed that the central inspiration for her writing was seeing herself as someone coming from mud and being able to rise up.
Speaking at the event, Alhaja Olaniyan, captivated the audience with the story of her early life. She recalled losing her father at a very tender age and the subsequent societal pressure against her and her siblings, particularly as a female child, to not succeed.
“I put my feet on the ground that I must make it in life,” she stated emphatically. She hopes the book will teach readers that with determination, anything is achievable. Beyond personal grit, she stressed the importance of communal support.
“Even if you don’t have money, a word of encouragement is enough. As a mother, as a parent, you need to strive hard to make your child become something better in life. ”
Furthermore, she advised that a supportive spouse who marries for the love of Allāh, not just ordinary love, is vital for success.
Also, Alhaja Olaniyan announced a significant philanthropic effort tied to her new work. Drawing on her own painful experience as an orphaned girl, she has pledged to dedicate all the money generated from the book’s sales to support orphans.
“I really suffered as an orphan, this suffering motivated me to dedicate part of my salary to orphan girls even when I was a school principal and a Director of Education.”
She appealed to the governments to provide robust assistance for all orphans, both boys and girls.
“The government should find a grant or loan or even push support for all the orphans to get quality education, because without education no one can reach where they want to reach.”
In his address, the school leader, Alhaji Ishola Lemomu Tajudeen A., reflected on the school’s origins, which began with very humble beginnings at the Arao Odom Community Central Mosque. He lauded the founding fathers, past and present board members and pioneering staff for their contributions over the past two decades.
“The true measure of our students is to see how they are thriving in different settings after graduation,” Alhaji Tajudeen stated.
He expressed pride that graduates have not only gained admission to their first-choice institutions but are also excelling in their various professional careers.
The Principal, Abubakar Dauda, lauded the graduating students for their courage, curiosity and resilience, emphasising that the school has prepared them not just in knowledge but in character, wisdom, empathy and integrity.
