Kunle Adelabu
-Initiate inter – religious peace committee
A significant step towards the final resolution of the face – off that resulted into a court matter and eventually led to ‘Out of Court Settlement’ between the Ikorodu Muslim Community Association (IMCA) and the traditional institution, was not only taken on Tuesday, but also means of prevention of such occurrence in future was also agreed upon.
At the peace meeting held at the Ayanbure palace yesterday and hosted by His Royal Majesty, (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, with the leadership of the IMCA and representatives of the Ikorodu Eminent Persons, it was agreed that the Ikorodu Inter – Religious Committee and Peace Initiative should be formed to ensure peaceful co- existence and harmony among religious groups and understanding.
According the structure of the committee proposed by Ikorodu Eminent Persons represented by Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Agbaakin of Ikorodu and Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL), the IMCA, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ikorodu branch, traditional institution and Eminent persons will have five members each on the committee.
It was also mandated that each of the group must present at least one female member to ensure gender balance.
At the peace meeting, the leadership of the IMCA – Fadilat Sheikh Al-Imam Aliu Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowooribi, Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, His Eminence Fadhilat Sheikh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala, Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque and Alhaji Misbaudeen O. Rotinwa, Coordinator, Ikorodu Muslim Community Association (IMCA) and other Islamic clerics at the parley, also assured that the Muslim community will resume its homage paying at the Ayangbure palace after the Eid prayer, starting from the Eid- Fitr which marks the end of the Ramadan fasting.
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, a former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, explaining the call for the meeting, said:
“It’s been over a year ago when the court made pronouncement which was an agreement between parties to the case in this document that I am holding (waving a document), but as a community, we have not sit down to accept, ratify and find ways of moving forward’, he said.
“In the pronouncement which is binding on all the parties, what the court pronounced were agreement by the parties that were presented to the court.
“Based on these four points of the Consent Judgment, we are proposing that we should have the Ikorodu Inter – Religious Committee and Peace Initiative, to see to it that the court pronouncements are strictly adhere to and ensure peaceful co – existence among religious groups and residents
“We must ensure that the structure of the committee must not clash with that of NIREC which is a registered body, and we have deliberated and resolved at a committed personality who is also a lawyer who has made himself available to be the Secretary of the committee. The person is Barr. Nurudeen Ogbara who will also assist us with legal framework”, Asipa Kaoli said.
Speaking on behalf of the IMCA, Fadilat Sheikh Al-Imam Aliu Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi, Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, said that the peaceful co – existence that exists within families with multi – religious practice should be maintained in Ikorodu community.
“Islamic religion is a religion of peace and what we are for. There is no house in Ikorodu without Christian, Muslim and traditionalists, and we are living in peace and harmony”, the Grand Chief Imam said.
“If we have been co – existing as family for ages despite our religious differences, why can’t we co – exist in peace and family as a community?, he asked rhetorically.
“We abide and support the proposals since it is all about peaceful co – existence, and we thank Kabiyesi for this initiative”, Chief Imam Olowo-Oribi said.
Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, speaking commended the Ayangbure of Ikorodu and the two leading IMCA leaders – Chief Imam Olowooribui and Oshoala for allowing their interventions and for their exemplary leadership displayed throughout the period of negotiations.
He described them as leaders that are desirous of peace and development in Ikorodu.
In his royal remarks, Oba Kabir Shotobi was philosophical while stating that he has pursued peace and developments for Ikorodu under his reign.
“We have every reason to thank God in Ikorodu, for the peace and development that have prevailed”, Oba Shotobi said.
“Since the inception of my reign, we have fought Badoo and we prevailed. We are also fighting and winning the challenges of Ajagungbales. I have no doubt that we will eventually prevail over the menace.
“I have also pioneered the formation of the IDPIL, and brought our son, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, on board to be its Chairman and the body has been tackling security challenges and bringing about developments”, Oba Shotobi said.
The revered royal father also assured that his reign will continue to ensure peaceful co – existence among religious groups and residents in Ikorodu.
Oba Shotobi, who assured the IMCA leaders and other representatives that he will continue to attend and participate in the Eid prayers, also charged every resident of Ikorodu to use the Ramadan period to pray for Ikorodu.
“We must develop better understanding between the palace and IMCA and other religious bodies. The palace is interested. The palace will continue to maintain cordial relationship with the Muslim community likewise other religious body so as to have a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious community that will continue to bring about desired developments”, Kabiyesi said.
“The palace is always open to everyone, and I am ready to listen and reason with you. So, always approach me whenever you have any issue to clarify.
“I also want to enjoin you to use the period of Ramadan to pray for Ikorodu, so that we will not be shortchanged politically and in term of developments again.
“Come 2027, we also want a governor from Ikorodu, because that is the only way that we can have all that we ever wanted in terms of development”, Ayangbure appealed.
Also at the parley was Imam Maja, Imam Majolagbe and others.
Recall that the matter in the Suit No: FHC/L/CS/260/22, between Madam Bilikis Alaba Taiwo as the Applicant and High Chief Ifabolaji Oluwalogbon Allison and Mr Kehinde Tijani, was resolved through an Enrolment of Consent judgment signed by Honourable Justice A.O. Awogboro and Olujoye Joseph, the Registrar of the Court, which is reproduced below partly:
IT IS, HEREBY, AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
- That the applicant shall not be forcefully initiated into Ijinla fraternity of Nigeria, Ikorodu branch, Lagos State, by the respondents and/or any other member of the fraternity.
- That the respondents shall, henceforth, not threaten, harass, molest or infringe on the applicant’s fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and association guaranteed under section 34,38 and 40 of the constitution of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
- That, henceforth, any native of the Ikorodu Kingdom and non_native of the Islamic or Christian Faith shall not be initiated into Ijinla fraternity of Nigeria, Faith shall not be initiated into Ijinla fraternity of Nigeria, Ikorodu branch, except he or she voluntarily submits himself of herself to such initiation.
- That the parties shall bear their respective cost of the action. AND THE COURT, having carefully considered the application of the learned counsel
THE COURT DOTH MADE THIS ORDER:
The terms of the settlement dated 24th day of February 2022 duly entered by the parties and their respective solicitors which was filed before the court on the 28th day of November, 2022 is hereby pronounced as the judgement of this court and in this suit
ISSUED AT LAGOS under the seal of the court and by the hand of the presiding judge this 20th day of February, 2023
