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The Propagation of Islam which is one of the Aims and Objects
of the Movement is vested in the Missionary Board whose main
function is to direct effectively the religious, moral, spiritual
and social well being of the members of the Movement.
The Missionary Board which is headed by the Chief Imam as
the Chairman of the Board is always Constituted by the National
Executive Council every 4 four years.
Duties of the Missionary Board include amongst others to act
as Advisers to the National Executive Council on spiritual
matters.
To maintain and review periodically, a uniform mode of worship
in all Missions of the Movement subject to the approval of
the National Executive Council.
The Chief imam is the one who is to lead Jumat and Eid Prayers.
To deliver Sermons and to perform all State Services organised
by the Movement.
He is to supervise and exercise general control over the activities
of the Missionary forces and other functions which may be
referred to him.
The Second Chief Imam Alhaji Ashafa Bokini Tijani whose tenure
was noted in the religious activities of the Movement.
He was personally responsible for the training of those who
later became Imam for instance Brother Nabulele who later
became the first indigenous Imam of our Mission at Benin City.
He was also responsible for the establishment s of some Missions
outside Lagos. For example the Ijede Mission. On the 10th
September 1964 Chief Imam Ashafa Bokini Tijani died.
The Third Chief Imam of the Movement was Late Alhaji Abdul
Lateef Sodiq Akodu who succeeded, Aihaji Imam Ashafa Bokini
Tijani was after his death on 10th September 1964.
His tenure was from 1964-1980.
The Late Alhaji Chief A.L.S. Akodu will always be remembered
for the great contribution he made and the progressive achievements
by the Movement during his time.
He had the singular honour, that the mode of worship was
prepared and published during his life time. In the controversy
for the change of name of the Movement, he played a great
part. He was who suggested the new name Anwar -ul Islam Movement
of Nigeria. The part he played in the construction of the
new Headquarters Central Mosque was unique and great.
Alhaji Chief Imam Abdul Lateef Sadiq Akodu will always be
remembered as a great learned and respected religious scholar
and leader in his time. He had the courage of his conviction
and was ready at any time to express his belief, no matter
whose horse is gored. He passed away peacefully on Saturday
22nd March, 1980 without bidding up goodbye. But as a man
of Allah one would see that he had unconsciously became aware
that his time was near if one remembers his last two Friday
sermons
preceding his death, that is on 14th and 21st March, 1980. by
his death, the Movement missed a great Arabic and Islamic
Scholar, a great renowned and devoted religious leader.
Before the death of Chief Imam Alhaji Akodu, the Movement
had appointed Ahmed Babatunde Yoosuf as its Itinerary Missioner.
Alhaji Yoosuf as a trained teacher with very wide experience
also underwent a 7 years training in Cairo University on Islamic
Religious Theology where he graduated B.A.
When Chief Imam Alhaji A.L.S. Akodu passed away on 22nd March,
1980, Alhaji A.B. Yoosuf was on tour. He returned to Lagos
immediately he heard the news of the death of Chief Imam Alhaji
Akodu, a man who was hale and hearty when he left Lagos on
Thursday 20th March, 1980.
Chief Imam Alhaji Abdul Lateef Sadiq Akodu was laid to rest
on Monday 24th March, 1980 after a funeral service at the
New Mosque. The Executive Committee later met that same week
and appointed Alhaji Ahmed Adisa Babatunde Yoosuf as the new
Chief Imam.
The Fourth and current Chief Imam Alhaji Abmed Babatunde
Yoosuf(B.A. Cairo) assumed office after the death of Alhaji
Chief Imam A.L.S. Akodu died on 22nd March 1980.
He was turbanned on the 13th December 1980 which coincided
with the opening of the Movement's new Headquarters Central
Mosque.
During his tenure so far quite many significant changes and
progress has been recorded by the Movement.
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