The Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, and The Muslim Congress (TMC), Ogun State, have called for greater accountability, integrity and responsible leadership among public officeholders, religious leaders, professionals and members of the public.
They made the call at the TMC Ogun State Quarterly Lecture, free medical outreach and fire-fighting enlightenment session held at the Olowu Palace, Owu, Abeokuta, on Sunday.
The programme which has its theme “Trust and Leadership in Islam,” also featured free medical screening for more than 200 beneficiaries and the distribution of drugs through the collaboration of Accurate Medical Diagnosis and Damien Foundation.
The outreach was complemented by health talks and enlightenment on fire prevention and safety as part of the organisers' commitment to practical community development and humanitarian service.
Speaking at the event, the Olowu of Owu commended TMC for its contributions to the promotion of Islam and community welfare, noting that Islamic propagation (Dawah) should extend beyond sermons and religious gatherings to practical interventions that improve people's lives.
The monarch stressed the importance of Zakat as a compulsory pillar of Islam for Muslims who meet the prescribed conditions, adding that the initiative demonstrated TMC's understanding of Islam as a comprehensive way of life.
He noted that the organisation's combination of religious education, medical assistance and public safety awareness underscored the need for Islamic organisations to address the spiritual, social and material needs of society.
The Olowu also reminded Muslims that they would be called upon to account for their actions on the Day of Judgement, urging leaders and individuals to discharge their responsibilities with sincerity and a sense of accountability.
In his lecture, the guest speaker, Dr. Afiz Oladimeji Musa, Director of the Insight Institute for Islamic and Technical Studies described leadership as a delicate trust (Amanah) that carries enormous responsibilities before Allah.
Dr. Musa who is also the Deputy Qadi of the Shariah Arbitration Council, Ogun State, cautioned Muslims against being desperate for leadership positions, explaining that the higher the position of authority, the greater the responsibility and the more specific the questions its holder would be required to answer before Allah.
According to him, leadership accountability is not limited to political officeholders, traditional rulers or religious leaders but extends to every individual entrusted with a responsibility.
“Whether you are the President, a governor, a traditional ruler or an ordinary individual, Allah will call you to account for the Amanah given to you,” he said, citing the prophetic teaching that everyone is a shepherd and would be questioned about those under their care.
Dr. Musa explained that teachers, civil servants, wealthy individuals, artisans, parents and other professionals all exercise leadership in different capacities and must therefore recognise their obligations to society.
He emphasised that truthfulness, sincerity, justice and competence were indispensable qualities of responsible leadership, adding that possessing knowledge or being truthful alone did not automatically qualify an individual for a leadership position without the requisite competence to discharge the responsibility.
The Islamic scholar urged leaders to remain receptive to constructive criticism and avoid self-denial, stressing that accountability and openness were essential to effective leadership.
He also drew lessons from the leadership of Prophet Dawud, noting that authority ultimately comes from Allah and must be exercised with justice.
He urged Muslims to emulate the leadership style of Prophet Muhammad and his companions, particularly their commitment to justice, sincerity, accountability and service to humanity.
The guest speaker further reminded participants that leadership positions and titles were temporary, noting that every individual would eventually leave office and stand before Allah to account for their stewardship.
He cited the prophetic teaching on the seven categories of people who would receive Allah's shade on the Day of Judgement, including a just ruler, as a reminder of the spiritual significance of fairness and justice in leadership.
The cleric also identified family responsibility as one of the greatest trusts entrusted to individuals by Allah, urging parents and spouses to discharge their obligations with care and fairness.
He cautioned against taking additional wives without the capacity to fulfil the associated responsibilities, noting that the welfare of one's family must remain a priority.
The scholar advised Muslims to sympathise with those entrusted with leadership responsibilities rather than envy them, while praying that Allah would enable everyone to successfully discharge their respective trusts.
He also called for a renewed appreciation of artisanship and vocational service, urging artisans to approach their trades with a commitment to service rather than being motivated solely by financial benefits.
He lamented the shortage of skilled artisans and emphasised the importance of developing practical skills to meet societal needs.
Earlier, the Waali of TMC, Ogun State, Dr. Jamiu Folarin, said the quarterly lecture was part of the organisation's programmes aimed at promoting Islamic knowledge, moral reorientation, responsible citizenship and service to humanity.
Dr. Folarin explained that the theme was particularly relevant amid growing concerns about trust and credibility across political, religious and other institutions in Nigeria.
He noted that mutual suspicion had contributed to tensions within and between religious communities, while questions about the integrity and accountability of political leaders continued to feature prominently in public discourse.
The TMC leader said the organisation considered the lecture an opportunity to examine the Islamic model of leadership and its relevance to contemporary challenges.
He also stressed the importance of issue-based political campaigns, transparency and accountability, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
According to him, citizens should be able to scrutinise the policies, track records, integrity and commitments of candidates seeking elective offices at the senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and State House of Assembly levels.
“As a journalist, researcher and radio host who has interacted with political stakeholders and members of the public, I have observed that questions of public confidence and the credibility of political promises remain important issues in our political conversations,” he said.
The Waali called on political candidates to demonstrate integrity and provide credible assurances that their electoral promises would translate into tangible policies and programmes.
He, however, clarified that TMC's advocacy was not directed at promoting or rejecting any political party or candidate but at encouraging informed public scrutiny and responsible political engagement.
The Waali also commended Accurate Medical Diagnosis, Damien Foundation and the Olowu of Owu Palace for partnering with TMC to organise the programme, describing the collaboration as an example of how religious organisations, traditional institutions and professional bodies could work together to improve community welfare.
He particularly acknowledged the Olowu's contributions to the promotion of Islam, Muslim unity and humanitarian development, including his efforts towards the transformation of the Ogun State Muslim Council.
Dr. Folarin disclosed that the quarterly lecture was also a prelude to the TMC Ogun State Annual Lecture scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Ontec Event Centre, Abiolaway, Abeokuta.
He said activities lined up for the week-long programme included special Jumat services at selected mosques across the state and humanitarian visits to hospitals, homes for vulnerable and motherless children, correctional centres and other institutions.
The event was attended by the Olowu of Owu and his wife, Olori Ameenah Adeleye Matemilola,; the Chief Imam of Owu, Sheikh Sulaimon Akorede Kehinde; the Managing Director of HOB Hospital, Elega, Dr. Lukman Adefuye; and the immediate past Waali of TMC, Ogun State, Dr. AbdurRazaq Ogunmoye, among other Islamic leaders, stakeholders and members of the public.
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