Hijrah 1444 Luncheon: ‘Work for the success of this administration’— Oyo Deputy Governor charges Muslims

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Abdul-raheem Lawal has urged Muslims to work for the success of this administration.

He made the admonition on Wednesday during the Hijrah 1444 luncheon, held at the frontage of the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

He said Muslims should be grateful to Governor Seyi Makinde for his love of Islam, and for making Hijrah 1444 celebration a public holiday in Oyo, one of the Southwest leading state on Islamic affairs. 

Lawal, Who hinted that the celebration is the third to be held by this government, stated that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde will continue defending the interest of Muslims.

He urged Muslims to practice tolerance and live for all people in line with the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad, stressing that this is the only way to live in peace. 

The Aare Bamofin of Kishi land urged stakeholders to always come up with pertinent suggestions that may advance the state, noting that the current administration in the region is susceptible to criticism. 

“There is not a single person who is perfect in life. Therefore, rather than exposing ourselves, we must seek out a way to help those who need it.”

“As a Muslim representative, I will always defend the right of our brothers. Therefore, whatever you believe to be necessary should be communicated.”

He concluded, “I am pleading with Muslim leaders and Monarchs to always warn those spreading lies about individuals without sufficient understanding”.

In his remarks, the Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde said anyone who think they can separate Oyo citizens through religion won’t make any headway because the two religions are in everyone’s families. 

“In Oyo State, we have Hijab policy. If that policy is going to change, there must be engagement with stakeholders and I am happy to say that we are ready to have that engagement.”

While debunking an allegation by a group called Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, the governor said that his administration has never nursed any plan to return public schools to their owners, noting that those inciting religious bias in the state would fail in as much he is not going contrary to the mandate given to him by the electorate.

He said: “I am aware that some politicians are trying to misinform our people. I read what MURIC said about us returning schools to missionaries. “We have a muslim as commissioner and we cannot take such step without his involvement. “Yes, I also went to Loyola College. 

They made a request for the return of the school to the Old Students Association and I told them that we are still on the ‘Proof of Consent’. We are developing a template because the government alone does not have the resources to educate our children effectively and that is the fact.

“So, we need to educate our children so that they can be with us in the future to do the needful.”

He declared that the state will always guarantee the rights of all the stakeholders to functional education. 

In their various remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Bayo Oyero, Senator Monsurat Sumonu, Okeere of Saki Oba Khalid Olabisi, Alhaji Hammed Raji SAN and Alfa Oloore, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his open door policy which they said accommodates the interest of Islam. 

They, however, charged religious bodies in the state to always channel their grievances through appropriate quarters rather than expressing it on social media.

In his Sermon, the chairman of the pilgrim welfare board (Muslim Wing) under the immediate administration in the state, Sheik Taofeek Akewugbagold, commended what he called the masses-oriented policies of Governor Seyi Makinde.

He also admonished Muslims to work for the success of the administration. 

The programme featured Quranic recitation and presentation of gift items to Governor Makinde and some of the dignitaries present.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.