In a momentous gathering of spiritual leaders, the League of Imams and Alfas, Ogun State Chapter, convened at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, on Thursday, August 31st, 2023.
This assembly, led by President General Shaykh Sikirullahi Babalola and esteemed Grand Chief Imams, including Shaykh AbdulRazaq Ayanbadejo, Shaykh Sa’adallah Bamigbola, and Shaykh AbdulQuadri Jinadu, discussed critical issues affecting the well-being of Muslims in Ogun State and the state’s overall progress.
The Muslim leaders in a communique
Secretary General, Rabittah Ogun State,Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi, issued after their quarterly meeting held in Abeokuta expressed appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidies.
They however, urged the President to swiftly alleviate the hardships faced by impoverished Nigerians.
The meeting called for a thorough investigation into subsidy-related corruption and the redirection of funds toward revitalizing national infrastructure and creating job opportunities for unemployed youths.
Additionally, state governments were urged to ensure equitable distribution of subsidy benefits to reach those in need.
The State government was called upon to uphold fairness in cabinet appointments.
The Muslim community stressed the importance of proportional representation for practicing Muslims, citing their integrity and commitment to conducting public affairs with justice, accountability, and excellence.
The leaders advocated an end to the practice of appointing individuals who are not genuinely committed to the Muslim faith.
The Muslim leaders reaffirmed their commitment to religious tolerance and condemned any infringement on Muslims’ right to worship freely.
They called attention to recurring attacks on Muslims during traditionalist rituals, urging state governors and security agencies in the Southwest to address this issue.
The Inspector General of Police and Commissioners of Police in the region were put on notice regarding these concerns.
While commending the State government for respecting the rights of female Muslim students to wear hijab in schools, the Muslim community expressed dismay at reports of intimidation and persecution by some school authorities and teachers.
The community called on the government to advise these individuals to cease such actions, warning that appropriate legal action would be taken as necessary.
The Muslim community pledged its commitment to the success of the Human Papillomavirus vaccination program and other health initiatives.
They encouraged the public, especially eligible females, to take advantage of the vaccination program.
The meeting called on relevant agencies, including the National Orientation Agency, to enhance advocacy efforts to inform the public about government programs.
The assembly concluded with special prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abiodun, the peace, unity, and prosperity of Nigeria, Ogun State, and Allah’s blessings upon the Ummah.
BEING THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE LEAGUE OF IMAMS AND ALFAS, OGUN STATE CHAPTER HELD AT THE EGBA CENTRAL MOSQUE, KOBITI, ABEOKUTA ON THURSDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2023.
PREAMBLE
The President General of the League of Imams and Alfas, Ogun State, Shaykh Sikirullahi Babalola with the Grand Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Shaykh AbdulRazaq Ayanbadejo, the Grand Chief Imam of Egbaland, Shaykh Sa’adallah Bamigbola and the Grand Chief Imam of Remoland, Shaykh AbdulQuadri Jinadu converged the assembly of Muslim leaders in Ogun State to discuss issues affecting the well-being of Muslims in the state as well as the progress of the state and its citizens in general at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta on Thursday 31st August, 2023.
The assembly proceeded its meeting in sequence of its agenda where the following resolutions were arrived at:
Fuel Subsidy Removal and the socioeconomic situation of Nigeria.
- The leadership of the Muslim community appreciated the effort of His Excellency, President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in his administration’s effort to revive the country from its economic doldrums and political quagmire which necessitated the removal of fuel subsidy. It however called on the President to device practical and realistic means to quickly return succour to the already impoverished Nigerian masses who now find it extremely difficult to afford the basic needs of life, especially feeding of the families. The meeting implored the administration to courageously investigate the subsidy issue and prosecute any corrupt characters found out. Moreover, the accrued profits from subsidy removal should be directed towards the resuscitation of the already collapsed nation’s amenities and infrastructures as well as job creation for the teeming unemployed youths. State governments were, however, urged to ensure fair distribution of the subsidy palliatives and ensure that they reach the masses in good conscience. A call for equity,fairness and Justice in Appointments By the Ogun State Government.
- The government of Ogun State under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CFR, is implored to be fair to all concerned in the constitution of his cabinet as he continues the second term of his administration. As a community, we expect fairness in the appointment of state commissioners, the composition of various boards and agencies of the state government. More importantly, the Ummah (muslim community) in Ogun state will appreciate that practicing Muslims are considered for appointments in proportional ratio to other non-muslim appointees. The Ummah is blessed with intellectuals, technocrats, professionals and experienced retirees with integrity and God-consciousness; people who are bound by faith to conduct public affairs with justice, fairness, accountability and excellence; people that can really serve the interests of the state towards revitalization and repositioning. It is high time the government stopped the usual practice of appointing Muslims by names who are no longer Muslims and others who pretend to be Muslims while they are not. Incessant Attacks and Threats from Traditionalists.
- The position of Islam with respect to people of other faiths is clear and unambiguous. Allah the Lord of the world declared in the glorious Qur’an (Q2:256) that “there is no compulsion in religion”. As such, muslims will not apply force on any persons by any means whatsoever on account of religious belief.
The same way, we will not condone any form of infringement on the rights of the Muslims to perform their spiritual obligations as and when due. The recurrent attacks on Muslims going for worship in the mosques during the day when traditionalists had placed a ‘stay at home’ order becauseof some rituals during the day is ever fresh in our memory.
Furthermore, the recent threat by adherents of traditional religion against Muslims is condemnable and should not be taken lightly. We therefore call on the state governors and the security agencies in the Southwest to call the traditionalists to order.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Egbetokun Kayode Adeolu, Ph.D, MPM and the Commissioners of Police in the southwest states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are hereby put on notice regarding this ugly development.
Islam is a religion of peace and Muslims are bearers of peace; we are Yorubas and are not strangers in our land. Infringement on the rights of hijab adorning female Muslim Students in Ogun Schools. - While the Muslim community appreciated the government of Ogun State for not depriving willing female Muslim students their fundamental right of using hijab in schools, it commended the cooperation of majority heads of schools across the state for being professional in their callings. The meeting noted with distaste, the activities of some of them and some teachers who are still in the habit of intimidating and persecuting female Muslim students for putting up the hijab. The government should advise them to desist from the act forthwith. The Secretariat of the League of Imams and Alfas is processing reports received from various schools and would act decisively within the ambit of the law at the most appropriate time. Colloraboration with the OGPHCB on the HPV Programme.
- The Muslim community appreciated the representatives of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHCB) for their enlightenment on the importance of the vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus. It therefore urged the members of the public most especially females within the coverage ages to make use of the opportunity of the programme to get vaccinated. The Muslim Community pledged her commitment towards the success of the Human Papillomavirus vaccination programme and other programmes aimed at improving the health and living status of the people of the state. Consequently, the meeting called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the relevant agencies in the state to improve the advocacy effort towards proper orientation and information of the public concerning the programmes of the government.
CONCLUSION
The assembly roundedoff the meeting with special prayers for His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and His Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CFR. Special prayers were also offered for the peace, unity, stability and economic buoyancy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ogun State and including Allah’s rahamah upon the Ummah.
Long Live the League of Imams and Alfas;
Long live the Muslim Community of Ogun State;
Long Live Ogun State;
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
IMAM TAJUDEEN MUSTAPHA ADEWUMNI
Secretary General, Rabittah Ogun State.
