Celebration of Foresight as Crescent Bearers Mark 85th Anniversary 

Bennett Oghifo

Young, vibrant, visionary and forward-looking, they were the children of the elite in Lagos of the 1930s. Despite being from privileged backgrounds, they were alert to the socio-economic happenings around them, particularly as it concerned the less privileged Muslims whose education and path to a better life seemed somewhat remote due to their backgrounds.

Spurred by the necessity to change the status quo and with the milk of humanity flowing ceaselessly in their hearts, the group of 16 young Muslim men whose families were indigenous to Lagos Island, sprang into action by forming Crescent Bearers on November 11th, 1939.

With unbending determination, they pursued their objective – to promote the acquisition of western, secular education by Muslims for the collective improvement and upward social mobility in the colonial society of that era. With an outline of the aim to bring an end to the discrimination Muslim children faced and the lopsided standing of Islam in the mainstream cultural, political and socio-economic state of the evolving modern Lagos of the era, the young men approached the objective with vigour.

With the late Mobolaji Odunewu, S.M. Onigbanjo, I.A.S. Adewale, A. Fatayi-Williams, M.R.B. Ottun, M.N. Ola Aboaba, M.O. Ekunsumi, N.A. Kekere-Ekun, R.A. Gbajumo, Ade Thanni, A.W. Williams, K.B. Shomade, T.A.B. Oki, K.A. Fashola, S.A. Fashola (died as Olorunsola) and Hamzat O. Balogun listed as the founding members, the objective of educating Muslims has remained at the core of the Crescent Bearers activities.

Also known as CB39, since it was founded over eight decades back, the purpose has enabled the group bridge the sectional divide and competing tendencies not only among its members, but also between the various Islamic sects in Lagos, while upholding and propagating the lofty and fundamental principles of Islam as a philosophy of life and social organisation.

Founded on November 11, 1939, the association turned 85 years old last week and the members, along with friends, family members and some well-wishers, celebrated the milestone on Sunday, November 17. At the event, which was held at MUSON Centre, Lagos, it was not difficult to see why the CB39 continues to foster the lofty ideals of Islam via mutual understanding, interest and cooperation among members to promote the total education of the Muslim child.

Having become a trans-generational movement, the beat goes on for Crescent Bearers which now has 28 members. Some of the group’s oldest members include elder statesman and legal icon, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu; successful businessman and founder of Caverton OffshoreSupport Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola; boardroom magnate, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun whose wife. Justice Kudirant Kekere-Ekun, is the current Chief Justice of Nigeria; erudite scholar, Prof. Adele Jinadu, among others.

The event celebrating the legacy, foresight and pedigree of 85 years was attended by dignitaries including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirant Kekere-Ekun; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as well as the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele. Others include Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi, a professor of History at the University of Lagos who chaired the event while a renowned Islam motivational speaker, Mrs Maryam Lemu delivered the anniversary lecture with theme: Islam and Family Values – Building a Nation of Citizens.

In his welcome address, chairman of Crescent Bearers, Bearer AbdulWasiu Ayodele Martins, said: “This event is to commemorate and celebrate the 85th anniversary of the founding of the association that has been committed to the education of Muslim children of Lagos State origin at any given time. The primary purpose for existing is to facilitate, promote and support the acquisition of Western education by Muslims and foster an environment that does not compromise the teachings and deeds and of Islam that the association holds dear.”

According to him, the roll call of members of the group would be the envy of any association anywhere in the world. In his address, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Gbadamosi, who paid tribute to the founding fathers and current members who have kept the ball rolling without deviating from the overall objective, said he felt truly honoured to chair an event of that magnitude. He further noted that he would have been content and happy to just be present as a guest.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat, who also paid tribute to the founding fathers, listing their names one after the other, saying: “I think it’s appropriate to mention them individually because they started something that is fantastic, great, because at the time, it was not easy for a Muslim child to go to school. And they came together and said, we will be Muslims and then we will help many others to go to school and Almighty Allah granted them the wherewithal.”

According to the deputy governor, the group is not just an association but a collective response to a need for guidance and support for knowledge.

Speaking further, the Deputy Governor said: “And they were following in the ways of the prophet who said, ‘Seek knowledge even if you have to go to China.’ That’s because at the time, China was probably the farthest place to Saudi Arabia. So, the notable achievements of Crescent Bearers are not limited to the establishment of the first Muslim Secondary School in Nigeria.

“In 1948, the establishment of the first multi-purpose mosque in Lagos State in 1955 and introduction of Islamic education curriculum in Nigerian schools, provision of scholarships, organising conferences and lectures, which at the time was very difficult. I’m sure they sacrificed a lot to make sure that happened. They have also been providing medical services, charity to the needy, fostering unity among Muslims, and playing critical roles towards the development of Islam. So, I think the theme of this event, which is Islamic and Family Value: Building a Nation of Citizens, very compelling at this time.”

Extolling the association, the oldest member and legal luminary,  Bearer Lateef Femi Okunnu, described the Crescent Bearers at 85 as fulfilling the mandate of educating the less-privileged.

He said: “I feel over the moon. I am happy because it is like going on outer space to see an organisation of a few young boys from Lagos Island who left school about 11 years earlier with very Muslim backgrounds. They were good friends in school who have gathered under the late Alhaji Mobolaji Odunewu to form the Crescent Bearers to help and the group has been doing that over the decades – educating the Muslim child.”

Liasu Adele Jinadu, another member, also said: “I am very, very happy that I am part of it, because it has had an impact on my life, on my understanding of Islam and on the value of working to strengthen the Muslim World, particularly in Lagos State. And I think it’s been a remarkable group of members. It’s very restrictive. It’s not elitist, but it’s restrictive. And members are of high integrity. And we are making a little contribution to propagate the Islamic faith within our own little communities. This is an organization of dedicated Muslims, who are pursuing a mission.”

General Secretary of Crescent Bearers, Olusegun AbdulQuadri Williams said: “I am deeply humbled and extremely honored to be part of this organization that is leaving a lasting legacy in the path of philanthropy in Lagos State. I think it is a privilege that we are able to continue the noble work that was started by the visionary founders of Crescent Bearers. They were extremely selfless, dedicated and passionate for the education of the Muslim child in Lagos. So, being part of this association is a responsibility that I cherish and I stand to uphold the values that have defined the organization for the whole of 85 years.”

Chairman of the Organising Committee for Crescent Bearers at 85 and Chairman Crescent Bearers in 2007, Mustapha Abiodun Jaji, having spent 17 years on membership, said, “I thank God for being a member. I have been the planning chairman for a number of years now. I have been able to organize the 80th anniversary, 83rd anniversary, and also the 85th that we are doing now as chairman of organizing committee. So, I have played my little part in the development of the very small number association. Usually 30 maximum, but we are currently about 28.”