Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
-Gov. Sanwo-Olu, CJ Alogba, others sue for unity
-Mosque management plans for event centre, libraries, quarterly lectures
The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the country, His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has commissioned one of the impressive Islamic centres in Lagos State, Oriwu Central Mosque.
The historic commissioning was held at the mosque’s location at the Ikorodu garage roundabout, Ikorodu, on Saturday, December 28, 2019.
Sultan of Sokoto officially commissioned the edifice at 2.27pm and immediately led other muslim dignitaries, including the representative of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Engineer Kunle Oduborisa ( representative of the former Governor of Lagos State and the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu), Sheikh (Dr) Mhd’ Bashir Soliu, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, ( representative of Emir of Ilorin, His Eminence, Sheikh Ibrahim Zulu Gambari), Baba Adeen of Eti-Osa and father of the Day, Alhaji (Chief) Abdul Yekeen Olawale Bakare, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi who was represented by the His Royal Majesty, Oba (Arch.) Aderemi Adedapo, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu and the Chief Royal Host, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Chief Imam of Lagos State and the Spiritual father of the Day, His Eminence Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nollah and the Chief Imam Jamiu, Oriwu Central Mosque, His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi, to observe the Zuhr prayer.
While commissioning the mosque, Sultan Abubakar stated that, “This mosque was commissioned by my humble self, Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, on this Saturday, December 28, 2019. Al Amdullilahi”.
Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his speech, stated that Lagos is blessed with religious developments and challenged both Islamic and Christian leaders to transform that into better living conditions.
“Today is not a speech making day. We are truly blessed in Lagos State. Just yesterday (Friday), we were at the Teslim Balogun for the 31st edition of the National Quranic Recitation Competition which Lagos State hosted and I must say great thank you to our father, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto. Today, we are here for the commissioning of a mosque”, the Governor stated.
“How do we translate this (building of religious centres) into better living in Lagos State?”, the Governor asked rhetorically.
The governor deplored the immoral acts of the young people and challenged religious leaders to rise up to the occasion by instilling the fear of God and high moral conducts in them.
“As religious fathers, how do we assist the young ones to grow? If we build all the roads and schools and our young ones are without the Islamic or Christianity knowledge, everything will be wasted.
“The question is how do we translate all these religious edifices and sermons into better living? Yesterday, we listen to an Islamic lecture on Sustainable Development Goal. It seems to me that the United Nations took the concept from Islam. The lecturer was able to show us the correlation between Islam and taking good care of our environment.
“We must preach in sermons that it is wrong for people to drive against traffic; that it is wrong for people to put their garbage in the wrong place. It is un-Islamic. I think that is the only way we can live as better citizens”.
He thanked the Islamic leaders and other dignitaries that attended the commissioning from far and near.
Former Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who chaired the occasion, while speaking on the historic foundation of the Mosque, commended the founding fathers of the mosque and also added that the commissioning was historic.
Tinubu, who was represented by Prince (Engr.) Ahmed Oduborisha, commended the guest lecturer for his consistency in delivering impactful lectures.
In his goodwill message, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, while described himself as child of history as part of the legal team that fought for the approval of the building plan for the mosque, added that Islam is about peace and unity.
“Today, I thank God for being part of this commissioning. This mosque should further help the purification of Islam”.
The Lagos Chief Judge , while also calling for unity among Islamic leaders in Ikorodu, emphasized that Islam preaches peace and unity.
“The religious leaders should lead everyone on the right path as Allah has directed us as everyone will eventually give account of all their deeds”.
The Ikorodu-born Chief Judge also expressed his displeasure over the failure of the leadership of Oriwu Central Mosque to include the picture of the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Alhaji Olowo-Oribi, on the brochure of event.
Earlier, the Chief Royal Host and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, while welcoming the Sultan of Sokoto and other dignitaries to the commissioning, stated that the visit of Sultan of Sokoto to Ikorodu for the first time is gratifying and added that it will remain evergreen in the hearts of the residents.
While acknowledging the vision of the pioneers of the Oriwu Central Mosque in building the mosque, the monarch stated that the actualization of the vision is not without enormous challenges.
“What we are celebrating today is the actualization of the vision of the leader of the Ikorodu Muslim Community necessitated by the increasing number of Muslim worshippers about 30 years ago. The journey has not been without its own challenges, but we thank the Almighty Ar-Razzaaq for providing the resources with which we were able to complete the monumental edifice”, Oba Shotobi stated.
“I want to salute the courage and commitment of the initiators of this project, both living and dead. It is noteworthy that your efforts in bequeathing a modern place of worship to the Muslim Community was not in vain”.
Oba Shotobi also acknowledged the relentless efforts of the Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Yahya Oshoala Ajagbemkeferi, and his team for the actualization of the vision of the pioneers of the mosque.
The monarch added that the Ikorodu division of Lagos State has a long history of religious tolerance which has contributed to the peaceful coexistence of residents of the community.
“Ours is a community where everyone is allowed to practice his or her religious belief without fear of molestation. We believe that this will continue with the generation yet unborn”, the monarch stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Ikorodu Division Council of Obas and Chiefs, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty (Oba) Barr. Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali stated that while also appealing for unity among faithful also revealed that it has been resolved that the judgment on the Mosque will not be appealed.
While emphasizing that the judgment will be sustained, Adeboruwa also added that himself and Hon. Agunbiade are working towards getting the Certified True Copy of the judgment and make it available for the public.
The retired Chief Judge of Lagos State and the Baba Adeen of the Oriwu Central Mosque, Alhaji (Chief) Justice Abdul Fatai Adeyinka, in his address which was delivered by Alhaji Nosirudeen Akolemobasi, stated that, “Today’s ceremony is the product of efforts that have taken more than two decade as the history of the mosque highlighted in this brochure reflects. I congratulate the entire Jammah of Oriwu Central mosque on this occasion”.
He revealed the future plans of the leadership of the mosque to include construction of event centre within the mosque premises to host Islamic events, building of shelf and e-libraries and staging quarterly lectures.
In his keynote address, the President of the Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof T.G.O Gbadamosi, stated that, “I have no doubt in my mind that the Mosque has earned a place for itself as one of the most important landmark structures in Ikorodu and Lagos State”.
He added that the newly commissioned mosque will ranked among notable, impressive and famous mosques.
The guest lecturer, Sheikh Muhyideen Ajani Bello, in his brief but thought provoking, recalled the intense battle that was fought by the pioneers of the mosque before the building of the mosque could be commence and urged the Ikorodu Muslim community to use the holy edifice strictly for the worship of Allah.
While also suing for peace among muslims in Ikorodu community, the lecturer enjoined them to use their wealth and wherewithal to sustain the structure.
Meanwhile, Sultan of Sokoto, earlier on his arrival in Ikorodu for the commissioning ceremony, paid a brief courtesy visit to the Ayangbure palace where he and his entourage were given a rousing reception by Oba Shotobi and eminent citizens in the Division before heading to the Oriwu Central mosque in a large convoy for the commissioning event with young muslim faithful (both males and females) forming a long guard of honour on both sides of the convoy.
Other dignitaries at the commissioning were the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Abdul-Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, Sekumade of Ipakoodo, Oba Bashir Aremu Sotonwa, Senator representing Lagos East, Sen. Adebayo Osinowo, representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Chairman, Diaspora Commission, Hon. Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Uzamot Akinbile, Former Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Alhaja (Mrs) Wonu Folami, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Alhaja Sinotu Ojikutu, wife of the late Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Olori (Amb.) Muyibat Oyefusi, former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho amongst others.
Also as part of the commissioning ceremony, some individuals (both dead and living) who contributed towards the completion of the mosque and development of Islam in Ikorodu were honoured with awards.Among the awardees were Oba (Dr) Saaudeen Afolabi Adekoya Oyefusi, CON the former Ayangbure ofd Ikorodu, Olori (Dr) Muyibat Olayinka Oyefusi, wife of the former Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Sir Michael Otedola, former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji (Comrade) Nasiru Adeyinka Lawal Akolemobasi, Otunba Baba Adinni, Oriwu Central Mosque, Late Alhaji (Chief) Mondiu Ishola Ayodele Lambo, Alhaji (Chief) Shittu Alade Owseni Lambo, Alhaji (Chief) Surajudeen Bode Awolaja, Alhaji (Chief) Rabiu Olawale Atunrashe, Alhaja (Chief) Idayat Feyisara Abebi Tijani Abiodun, Late Alhaji Muftau Adekoya Ajisebutu and Fadhilat Sheikh Mustopha Oketelo Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi.
