The lawmaker representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Bamidele Salam, says the reconstruction of Mubarakah Islamic School in Awo was aimed at sustaining the legacy of his late father.
Salam made this known on Saturday during the 2026 Annual Ramadan Lecture and the commissioning of the reconstructed Mubarakah Islamic School organised by the Abdulsalam Olapade family in Awo, Egbedore Local Government Area, Osun State.
According to him, the project was inspired by the spiritual life and humanitarian contributions of his late father, Malam Abdusalam Olapade, who established the Islamic school in the early 1980s.
“My father was a very spiritual man. He founded many Islamic charities not only here in Awo but even as far as Sokoto when we were very young,” Salam said.
He added that the original structures of the school had become dilapidated, prompting him and his siblings to come together to reconstruct the facility in order to preserve their father’s legacy.
“We decided that we were going to come together with my siblings to reconstruct this school so that his legacies will live on. We are glad that during this holy month of Ramadan we are able to commission this project and also hold the annual Ramadan lecture,” he added
Salam also advised parents to combine Islamic teachings with Western education in raising their children, noting that both systems complement each other.
“Like my father gave us both Islamic and Western education, they actually go well together. One prepares you to live a life of impact and service, while the other equips you with the skills needed to thrive in modern life”, he noted.
Speaking at the event, Timi of Ede, His Royal Majesty, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, described Bamidele Salam as a man of the people who values community development.
The monarch noted that the lawmaker had continued the legacy of his late father through initiatives that promote education and humanitarian service.
“He is a man that cherishes life and his people. His father started this Islamic school and he has continued the legacy. I pray that Almighty God grants him wisdom to continue well,” the monarch prayed.
Also speaking, the Alawo of Awo, Oba Abdulrasaq Taiwo Adegboye, hailed the commissioning of the project while commending Bamidele Salam for remembering his father’s legacy.
“I appreciate Honourable Bamidele Salam for remembering the legacy of his late father. I pray for long life and good health for him and his family,” he stated.
Delivering the Ramadan lecture on the topic “Family Harmony in Modern Times: Challenges and Islamic Remedies,” Dr. Morunsudeen Ajibade Adebiyi, who represented the Chief Missioner of NASFAT worldwide, Abdul-Azeez Onike, emphasised the importance of maintaining harmony within families despite modern challenges.
He however, described the reconstruction of the Islamic school as a significant contribution to knowledge and community empowerment.
“When you contribute to knowledge, it is a form of jihad. Jihad is not about violenceand fighting, it is about developing people and empowering communities through knowledge,” he said.
Dignitaries present at the lecture include traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, the Chairman of Egbedore Local Government, Hon. Sanya Okunade, the Chief Imam of Awo, Alhaja Atinuke Oyawoye, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others.
