The Oki Central Mosque in Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Oki, Lagos, has been a place of worship for Muslims in the community since 1976. The mosque's management has now appealed for help to relocate seven high-tension electricity cables passing directly above the roof of the mosque, which have become a major obstacle to plans to reconstruct and modernise the mosque. The mosque has served generations of Muslims and is used for daily prayers and Jumu'ah.
The Chief Imam of Oki Central Kingdom Mosque, Imam Isa Olushola Sulaimon, has appealed to individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the mosque. He said the mosque had existed for about 50 years, having been built by their forefathers who worshipped and served there. However, the mosque has not recorded tangible development over the years largely because of a lack of funds.
The mosque leadership wants to reconstruct the mosque into a modern, ultra-modern facility that will be suitable for the present generation. Seven high-tension cables currently pass directly above the roof of the mosque, making their relocation a major priority before meaningful reconstruction can take place. The mosque leadership had been seeking assistance to relocate the cables but had so far been unable to secure the required support.
According to the Chairman of Oki Central Mosque, Alhaji Jimoh Lawal, the high-tension cables were not originally positioned over the mosque. The situation arose during the construction of Oki Road leading into the community, when several electricity poles were removed and repositioned directly over the mosque. Lawal described the cables as the main obstacle preventing the community from commencing meaningful development and reconstruction work on the mosque.
The community had approached the electricity company, Ikeja Electric Distribution Company, over the relocation of the cables but had been unable to meet the financial requirement. Amounts ranging from ₦3 million to ₦5 million had been mentioned for the relocation, which the community could not afford. The community had also raised a small amount of money towards the mosque project, but the funds were nowhere near what was required.
Lawal appealed for support to enable the mosque leadership resolve the cable issue and proceed with its reconstruction. He said the current generation wanted to make a positive change and leave behind a modern mosque that would serve the community better than it had in previous generations. The mosque leadership is determined to transform the facility but cannot achieve the objective without substantial support.
The mosque's appeal for support comes as it seeks to raise funds for its reconstruction and modernisation. The community is seeking wider support to enable it to relocate the high-tension cables and complete the reconstruction work. The Oki Central Mosque has been a significant place of worship in the community for decades and its reconstruction is expected to have a positive impact on the community.
Key points
- The Oki Central Mosque requires support to relocate seven high-tension electricity cables and raise funds for its reconstruction.
- The mosque has been a place of worship for Muslims in the community since 1976 and serves as a significant cultural and religious landmark.
- The relocation of the high-tension cables is estimated to cost between ₦3 million to ₦5 million, which the community cannot afford.
