It stood out among the buildings along the Nmandi Azikwe Street, Lagos Island because of its architectural design. It was therefore not surprising that the Alli Balogun Wasimi Mosque, Lagos Island was constructed over 100 years ago, 1925 precisely. But unlike many of its pairs that reminded those who lived in Isale Eko and its environ in the early 1900s about the master piece architectural designs, the Alli Balogun Wasimi Mosque is still standing.

But in order to preserve its history, heritage and unique design as it has become a masterpiece for spiritual cleansing as well as tourist attraction, Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation decided to renew the structure rather than tear it down when it mobilised to refurbish the mosque to elevate its ambiance once again.

The foundation is led by great-grand children of the Sheik Makanjuola Alli-Balogun a.k.a Alli-Oloko, who was blessed by God, but committed large chunk of his resources to humanity and service of God including funding the building of the mosque. So, last week, the renovated mosque was commissioned with virtually who is who in Lagos and Muslim community in attendance.

For many present, especially those who grew up in Lagos Island in the early 90s, it was a flashback as they reminisced their experience visiting the mosques or passing through the corridor.

The excitement on the faces of the dignitaries including Alhaji Femi Okunnu, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, former Governor Babajide Fashola, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and others, underscored the commitment to worthy cause by the late Muslim philanthropist.

Known for immense wealth, Islamic faith, and philanthropy, the Alli-Balogun family remains influential in Lagos and beyond, especially as a prominent, historical Lagos dynasty originating from the late 19th-century merchant and philanthropist, Sheikh Alli Makanjuola Balogun (Alli-Oloko) who lived between 1830 and 1933.

Born in 1830 to a Nupe Prince of Tapa ancestry and an Awori lady of Isale Eko extraction, Sheik Aliu Alli-Balogun was reputed to be one of the wealthiest in his era. A religious and affluent man, Alli-Balogun was renowned for his business acumen and opulent lifestyle and his humanitarian gestures touched many in his domain and beyond.

Based on his level of impact, it is not so surprising that nearly a century after his transition, he remains iconic, revered and honoured personality, not just by his descendants but the entire Lagos Muslim community.

Although the event featured prominent Nigerians from different walks of life, it was not the first time the family would roll out the drums to celebrate their progenitor. In July 2023, in commemoration of his 90 years remembrance, the descendants launched the ‘Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation under the umbrella of the Alli-Balogun Dynasty.

In his short remarks before the reopening of the mosque, Hamzat said: “This is legacy. A house of worship for Muslims to pray in. And as our Imams have always told us, there are few things that you can leave behind which will be your reward after death. This is one of them, may Almighty Allah grant Aljana Firdaus to him and all those that are supporting us today.

“Baba has done his own and I am sure he has gotten the blessings of Almighty Allah. So, it is for those of us that are here now to continue to pray in a good environment. So, we thank Almighty Allah that we are able to gather here and it reminds us as Muslims that we are at the forefront of great things in this state and we should not forget. We should never forget. And therefore, when you mention Lagos, we should not be behind. We must be at the forefront to say these are the things we have done to foster good relationships. When Mama was talking, she said some of the people that contributed for the renovation of the mosque are Christians. In our community, we don’t divide ourselves based on religion and may Almighty Allah continue to allow peace to reign in our state.”

In her welcome address, the great grand-daughter of the deceased and wife of Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mrs. Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola, who was overwhelmed with joy, said: “It is pleasing to inherit such an edifice, a house of worship. This is a monument. I mean you cannot quantify a building right in the heart of Lagos Island to be 100 years plus and nothing happened to it.

“When you look around the pillars, the structures that it holds, including the first floor, the minaret, it is fantastically unbelievable. They are still intact. We just changed few things. Initially, we thought it would take us a year or two because of the magnitude of repairs but we were able to do it under one year.

“This is a historic house of worship that has stood as a beacon of faith and unity for over 100 years. For us as a family, we are very proud to have something that has stood the test of time. 100 years is not a short period and we believe that the edifice will stand for the next 100 years.”

On what inspired the refurbishment, Makanjuola said it is about cherishing one’s heritage. “To carry on the legacy, this is why we are here today and we want to continue. This is 100 years plus now and I put it in my prayer that almighty Allah will let it stand for another 100 years and for upcoming generations.

She thanked all those who contributed in bringing back the structure to life. “To every hand that contributed to the restoration of this mosque through great financial support, skilled labour, wise counsel, or heartfelt joy, we are grateful.”

On his part, former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, said it is not just a mosque, but a very, very important piece of history of Lagos. “So, instead of bringing it down, they actually refurbished it to preserved and restored it. This is urban renewal, urban regeneration, historical preservation and so many more and of course commitment to faith and Islamic brotherhood.”

Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu, SAN, felt very happy for the descendants and great grandchildren of Alli Oloko for renovating the mosque. “May Allah reward them abundantly.” For him, the lesson to take away from the event is to give generously because what is in your pockets is not yours.

Also, speaking, Senator Gbenga Ashafa congratulated Mrs Makanjuola for the honour done to one of her forebears. “I congratulate my sister, Mrs. Yoyinsola Makanjuola, for calling all of us to witness this. To the children and grandchildren of Aunty Yoyinsola, you have something coming, and that is remembering Islam when they have long gone by establishing your own stamp too, maybe through this same mosque or through another mosque.”

According to the chairman of Crescent Bearers, Mr. Dele Martins, the event represents a true testament to excellence. “It is indeed a true testament to excellence. You cannot be here and not have a feel of being in the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, and I think those who designed it were trying in their own little way to replicate that Masjid.”
Otunba Nurudeen Ojora, Chairman Alli-Balogun Descendants Union, echoed the same feeling.

“We’re happy. We thank God that we are part of that history now. A hundred years and still counting, this mosque is here.”

Praising the commitment of those who have donated generously, one of the great great-grandsons of Sheik Alli-Balogun and Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Jamiu Alli- Balogun, said the move is about taking charge of God’s property which was built by his great-grandfather.

“I feel great. I am very happy for the descendants of Alli-Balogun. It is his great grandchildren who have done this, may Allah reward them abundantly.

“We came together to come and assess the situation of the mosque and then God gave us that strength, the resources to rehabilitate the mosque. This is the result. It is a common effort of the family and friends of the family who came together and rallied round to give the mosque a new look. That is what you are witnessing here today. A lot of money has gone into renovating this and in the course of the programme, a lot was donated for its maintenance.”

Another great grand-daughter, Mrs. Lola Ogunbambi, who acts as Secretary of the foundation, said: “We are immensely blessed because the pool of funds that we got was a blessing and then the turnout of dignitaries for the event was overwhelming.  You can imagine that Alhaji Okunnu came, at his age. He promised to come and he made it happen.

“If I look back at my great-great-grandfather, Sheikh Alli-Balogun, one of the ideals that he lived by was religion and community development and we got the support of community today. And then, we see that a lot of people still value religion.

“Apart from the Islamic clerics, scholars and faithful that donated, we had some Christians that donated money to support the project. I am happy to be part of history as a descendant of Sheik Alli-Balogun.”

Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, a member of the foundation, thanked almighty Allah for the success of the project. “This mosque is over 100 years old. Papa was a very good businessman, very good customer of First Bank. He was a legend and it’s a big lesson and we should learn to keep our heritage intact. We should learn to serve Allah and I will be honest with you, all these things we are striving for in life, we must also create something for the hereafter.”

The Chief Imam of the Mosque, Alhaji Monsur Omokehinde Alli-Balogun said he was elated as the first descendant to occupy the high office. “I am the first descendant of the deceased to be appointed Imam of this mosque, which to me is a call to service. I am happy and I promise to keep the legacy alive.”

Also speaking, one of the great-grandchildren of the Sheik Alli-Balogun, Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola, said: “It is so wonderful to be here, looking at the legacy that has been preserved, that mum has worked very hard to carry on from her grandfather. It is very impressive, looking at the details. In many areas of Lagos, you find that, unfortunately, historical buildings are simply torn down when they’re falling apart and it’s so important to imbibe this culture of maintaining our heritage and keeping it for generations to come.”

Other dignitaries at the ceremony were Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, representative of the Oba of Lagos/Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose; Great Grand-daughter of Alli-Balogun, Alhaja Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola; her husband, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola; and Chief Imam of Lagos State, Fadilatul-Shaikh, Engr. Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abu-Nolla.