Secretary General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Asiwaju Kamal'deen Akintunde Esq, Chairman of Ogun State Standing Committee on Musabaqah/National Quranic Recitation Competition, Engr. Abdul-Hameed Femi Omotayo and Minister in charge of Trinity Methodist Church of Nigeria, Itesi, Abeokuta, Very Reverend S. O Siyanbola have stressed the need for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of their religion affiliations in the interest of development and economic growth of the country
The religious leaders made the call in their separate remarks during a fundraising appeal for the remodeling project of Itesi-Abeokuta Community Mosque as well as investiture and turbaning ceremony for some distinguished muslims within the area in the Ogun State capital
Asiwaju Kamal'deen Akintunde who is also the Balogun Musulumi of Itesi in his welcome address, says the need to promote co-existence and interfaith harmony remains a key ingredient for societal development
"We implore all faith leaders to champion peace, religious understanding and harmony to advance the cause of society. Religion is fundamentally a tool for development and Nigerians must , therefore, jettison doctrinal differences and live harmoniously with one another", he urged
The Ogun Muslim Council Scribe called on leaders in the community, especially within the traditional set up to always demonstrate magnanimity and embrace peace in the overall best interest of the people
On the fundraising appeal for the mosque remodeling project, Asiwaju Akintunde emphasized the need to accord the place of worship, the dignity and pride it deserves
"This event is a significant milestone in the history of our community, symbolizing the unity of our faith and the ambition to revitalize our cherished mosque, which has long served as a beacon of worship and unity", he stated
The Balogun Musulumi of Itesi who appreciated the efforts of the founding fathers of the sacred mosque structure for their foresight and perseverance, charged all the new titleholders to see their Turbaning not merely as an honour but as a solemn call to service and committed leadership within the ummah
Similarly Co-Chairman of the event, Engr. Femi Omotayo stress the importance of people coming together as a community irrespective of differences in religion and collectively fight against banditry and any form of insecurity
"It is important, we encourage inter faith engagement and see ourselves as brothers ", he stated
He later announced a donation of a million naira for the mosque remodeling project while assuring the Itesi Muslim community of his continuos support for the actualization of the project
Also Minister in charge of Trinity Methodist Church, Itesi Abeokuta, Very Reverend Siyanbola represented by Reverend Adejuwon Adeolu Joseph , emphasized the need for religious leaders to come together as one and promote unity, describing the event as exemplary which must be emulated to encourage peaceful co-existence among people of different religious beliefs
The Baba Adinni of Yorubaland , Edo and Delta States and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Isola charged the new titleholders in Itesi-Abeokuta Muslim Community to provide purposeful leadership for the community, praying Allah to give them the sufficient wealth and wisdom to contribute to the growth of the Muslim community
He later pledged financial support for the take off of the mosque remodeling project for the Itesi-Abeokuta Community
Other donors at the fundraising co-ordinated by Prof. Lateef Sanni included the Baba Adinni of Egba Gbagura ,Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Abiodun Agbaje , the Sanmori of Egba Muslims, Alhaji Tajudeen Olori, Chairman of Egba zone of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Alhaji Abdul -Hakeem Tunji Kalejaiye as well as the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and the Olu of Orile Itesi, Oba Adeniyi Oluyinka Emulu represented by their respective staff of offices also announced donations for the mosque remodeling project, ranging from a one naira to N100,000 each
The Co-ordinator of the fundraising, Prof .Sanni announced a personal donation of a million to kick- start, pledging more support for the mosque remodeling project
Co-Chairperson and Olori Ameenah , wife of Olowu of Owu-Kingdom Oba (Prof) Saka Adelola Matemilola was also represented at the event
Also the Chief Imam of Itesi -Abeokuta, Alhaji (Sheikh) Abdul-Rafiu Odebiyi said the new titleholders were carefully chosen based on their contributions to the growth of Muslim community in the area
Equally Secretary of the planning committee, Abdul-Akeem Bello encouraged the new titleholders to continue to strive to promote the cause of Islam by using their wealth and strength to uplift the Muslim community to a greater height.
Those conferred with chietftancy tiles included Alhaji, Chief (DIG) Shansaliyu Adeola Adeleke Adeniji (Olori Adeen of Itesi-Abeokuta), Alhaji Abdul Waheed Owolabi Folorunso (Saraki Adeen of Itesi-Abeokuta), Alhaji Taofeek Adisa Shorunke (Akinrogun Adeen of Itesi-Abeokuta), Mrs Kuburah Omowunmi Abiodun ( Balogun Alasalatu of Itesi-Abeokuta), Mrs Mujibat Aweni Sanni Waheed ( Ekerin Alasalatu of Itesi-Abeokuta) , Mrs Simbiat Okuribido ( Bada Alasalatu of Itesi-Abeokuta and Alhaji Semiu Owolabi Shittu (Baba Adeen of Itesi-Abeokuta)
Others are Alhaja Isiwat Ayoka Sogunle as Seriki Alasalatu of Itesi-Abeokuta, Alhaja Lateefat Shorunke (Agbesinga Alasalatu of Itesi-Abeokuta, Imam Abdul-Hameed Abdussalaam ( Ekerin Olomokewu of Itesi-Abeokuta) , Alhaja Rasheedat Apinke Adegbola ( Saraki Alasalatu of Itesi-Abeokuta as well as Ustaz Adebiyi Abdul Rasheed Kehinde (Balogun Olomokewu of Itesi-Abeokuta) and Fadilat Sheikh Imam Abdul Rofi'i Adisa Solahudeen ( Mufassir of Itesi-Abeokuta
Chairman of the eight -member planning committee for the event, is Oloyede Ridwan while Abdul Akeem Bello served as Secretary
Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Sa'adalahi Ayinde Bamgbola , Wakilu Musulumi of Yorubaland Edo and Delta States and Consultant to Ogun State Government on Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Imam Iskeel Awwal (Sugar) were among the dignatries that supported the co-promoters of the mosque remodeling project, Alhaji Chief Sulaimon Akinola Akinlade , Alhaji Chief Abdulfatai Kayode Akintunde and Alhaja Khadija Shaffi- Abebefe
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