Crescent Bearers Celebrate 85 Years: A Legacy Of Vision, Education, Service

• Lagos, Ogun States Dep Govs Attend Milestone Outing

Crescent Bearers, also known as CB39, marked its 85th anniversary on November 17, 2024, at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, celebrating a rich legacy of vision, commitment to education, and social impact. Founded on November 11, 1939, the association was born out of the desire to provide greater educational opportunities for Muslim children from less privileged backgrounds in Lagos.

The Birth of Crescent Bearers
In the Lagos of the 1930s, a group of 16 young Muslim men from elite, indigenous Lagos Island families came together with a common purpose: to address the socio-economic disparity faced by Muslims in accessing education. At a time when colonial society heavily restricted opportunities for Muslim children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the group sought to change the status quo. Their goal was simple yet profound: to promote the acquisition of Western education among Muslims for their collective advancement.

Among the founding members were notable figures such as Mobolaji Odunewu, S.M. Onigbanjo, I.A.S. Adewale, A. Fatayi-Williams, and many others, who were united in their determination to improve the status of Muslims in Lagos through education. Over the years, Crescent Bearers has remained committed to its founding objectives, fostering unity among Muslims and promoting education as a means of social mobility.

Celebrating 85 Years of Impact
The anniversary event was attended by a distinguished group of individuals, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; and other dignitaries such as Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi, a historian at the University of Lagos, who chaired the occasion. The anniversary lecture, titled “Islam and Family Values: Building a Nation of Citizens,” was delivered by renowned Islamic motivational speaker, Mrs. Maryam Lemu.

In his welcome address, Crescent Bearers’ Chairman, AbdulWasiu Ayodele Martins, reflected on the association’s enduring legacy: “This event is to commemorate and celebrate the 85th anniversary of the founding of the association, which has been committed to the education of Muslim children of Lagos State origin. Our primary purpose is to facilitate, promote, and support the acquisition of Western education for Muslims, while ensuring that the teachings of Islam remain central to our mission.”

A Trans-Generational Movement
Over the decades, Crescent Bearers has grown into a trans-generational movement, with 28 active members today. Some of the group’s prominent members include elder statesman and legal icon Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, SAN; businessman Aderemi Makanjuola; and boardroom magnate Akin Kekere-Ekun, whose wife, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is the current Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, paid tribute to the group’s founding fathers, acknowledging the immense challenges they overcame in their pursuit of educational equity for Muslim children. “At the time, it was not easy for a Muslim child to go to school,” Hamzat said. “But these men came together to help others gain access to education, following the words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to seek knowledge even if it meant going to China.”

Hamzat also highlighted Crescent Bearers’ key achievements, including the establishment of the first Muslim secondary school in Nigeria in 1948, the creation of the first multi-purpose mosque in Lagos in 1955, and the introduction of an Islamic education curriculum in Nigerian schools. The association has also provided scholarships, medical services, charity, and played a key role in fostering unity among Muslims.

Reflections on the Legacy
In her keynote address, Mrs. Maryam Lemu emphasised the importance of keeping one’s mortality in mind, reminding everyone that all gifts—whether financial, intellectual, or spiritual—are bestowed by Allah for the benefit of mankind. “We must be kind and generous, and remember that we are all here for a purpose,” she said.

Among the attendees, the oldest member of Crescent Bearers, Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu, SAN, expressed his pride in the association’s impact: “I am thrilled to see an organisation that began with a small group of young men from Lagos Island continue to thrive and fulfill its mission of educating the Muslim child,” he said.

Other members, such as Professor Adele Jinadu and Bearer Olusegun AbdulQuadri Williams, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of Crescent Bearers in shaping their personal lives and the broader Muslim community. “This organisation is not elitist, but it is highly dedicated,” said Jinadu. “It has made a remarkable contribution to the Muslim community, particularly in Lagos.”

Continuing the Mission
Bearer Mustapha Abiodun Jaji, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 85th anniversary, noted: “I have been privileged to play a role in organising several of our milestones, and I am proud of how far we have come. The Crescent Bearers continues to be a beacon of hope for the Muslim community in Lagos.”
Also speaking, Hakeem Olusegun Oki emphasised that the core mission of Crescent Bearers remains unchanged: “The founding fathers were children of well-to-do Lagosians, but they saw the need to help the less privileged. This mission continues today, with a focus on educating those who are less fortunate.”