Oyo Muslim clerics shower encomium on Makinde over Adogba mosque, Islamic affairs

…as Grand Imam Oyo state lauds Bayo Lawal’s efforts on Barakat school, Oja Oba mosque, others

The Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde has continued to receive praise for rebuilding once-demolished Adogba Central Mosque into modern taste with top notch facilities & fittings.

He received the commendation on Wednesday, during an inspection of the Adogba mosque which was attended by notable Islamic clerics across the state including the Grand Imam of Oyo state, Sheikh Abdul ganiy and other government top functionaries.

The Grand Imam of Oyo state, also known as Agbotomo kekere, who offered the opening prayer at the event, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for rebuilding the Adogba mosque, saying he’s a lover of Islam for keeping to his promises.

He urged the people of the state, Muslims in Oyo State & Adogba Mosque congregation to continue to pray fervently for the success of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The imam, who spoke through Sheikh Oloso, noted that they were able to get the quick attention of the governor on Oja Oba mosque’s renovation because of his deputy, Bayo Lawal.

He equally lauded the deputy governor’s efforts on behalf of the Barakat School and other initiatives, adding that the governor and his deputy had been sufficiently concerned about Islamic matters in all of the state’s zones.

The Chief Imam, Adogba Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Kabir Amzat, who narrated how the mosque was constructed, described Governor Makinde as a man of his words for building another mosque with modern & improve facilities at a nearby site.

He said the governor has exhibited his uniqueness, reliability & piety with the modern construction that totally beat their expectations within unimaginable period

According to him, the newly built central Mosque is an Islamic center which includes Standard Mosque, Arabic School, Islamic Model School, Research Centre, Library, Event Hall and Ample Parking Space with good road network for the benefit of the community.

“When Governor Makinde came to us during Juma’at service and said he would demolish our Mosque for the provision of infrastructural development for public benefit and promised to build another mosque with modern & improve facilities at a nearby site, we were afraid of the fulfillment of that promise,” Alhaji Abdul-Kabir said while praising Governor Seyi Makinde for keeping his word.

He described the governor as a ‘true Omoluabi’ and prayed that God will ease his affairs.

While speaking, the deputy governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, said that as Muslims, we must always be sincere and recognize Governor Makinde’s devotion for Islamic affairs while thanking all Muslim clerics, including the grand imam of Oyo state, for their time spent inspecting the restored Adogba mosque.

He also expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Oloso for enlightening and clarifying that it is permissible for a Christian to construct a mosque in accordance with the Quran and Hadith, as he urged the Islamic clergy to support the governor in the upcoming election.

He wondered how those playing the religious card could criticize Governor Makinde’s building of the Adogba mosque without having any real bearing on Islamic matters or had ever constructed any mosque before.

According to Lawal, Sharia is about fact. So, if anyone is saying anything, he should be able to come up with fact instead of spreading cheap blackmails on social media.

“We are not saying that, as a government, we are 100% perfect, but I can tell you that we have done so well. And as such, our records are there in the public domain.

Lawal commended the Chief Imam of Ibadan Land, Baba Olore, and Baba KK Oloso, among others, for endorsing the second term aspiration of Governor Seyi Makinde, noting that Makinde has worked on his template and the promises he made during the 2019 election.

He emphasized that the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land, whom he described as an erudite and scholarly, quoted him as having said that he had told them in Ogbomoso that when their government performed well, he would be the first to tell everyone to support Governor Seyi Makinde’s reelection bid.

“This is where we live. We want to avoid any issues. Let’s vote in peace. And God will deal with anyone who intends to wreck things or obstruct the process of election appropriately.

Earlier in his remarks, Alhaji Abdul-Akeem Azeez, the personal assistant to governor Makinde, stated that there have been numerous lies and blackmail attempts against the governor during the electioneering period, as well as playing religious card.

He remarked that the governor has been so considerate and fair to Muslims, stating that the governor’s cabinet currently has an escos of 12-12.

He said the current Igbeti local government chairperson, Juliana, is a practicing Muslim but she is known to everyone as Juliana, as well as the former commissioner for works, Rapheal Afonja including Miss Lolade, whose Muslim name is Fareeda, and Mr. Olalekan, who is close to the governor.

He added that the governor’s love for Islam was the reason he built the Omituntun mosque for quite a long time even before becoming the governor.

While noting that the governor since 2007 has assisted about 100 people to hajj including himself who is also close to the governor, he advised that people should always verify whatever is brought to them especially those who are trying to play religious card.

Similarly, the former deputy governor, Ambassador Taofeeq Arapaja said that Governor Makinde is marketable and has delivered, urging voters not to make mistake by casting their votes for someone who had been senator and senate leader for several years without any meaningful impact in the state.

In the entourage of the deputy governor include former Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Ambassador Taofeeq Arapaja, Former CoS, Baba Saka Balogun; Alhaji Open Salawu; Commissioner for Education, Abdul-Rahman Abdul-raheem; Commissioner for Special duties, Alhaja Faozat and commissioner for budget and planning, Professor Musbahudeen Babatunde; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal, Imam Abdurasheed Abdulazeez (SA on Islamic Affairs) and the personal Imam to the Deputy Governor, Sheikh Abdul-Jeleel.

Others were Chairman Civil Service; Alhaji Najim Omirinde; Alhaji Double TT; PA to Governor Makinde; Alhaji Akeem Azeez; Hon. Ayo Olopoenia; Hon. Otunba Yomi Ojo and Alhaji Kunle Sanni.