Kunle Adelabu
Fadhilat Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi, the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, has charged Ikorodu politicians and residents alike to embrace unity and cooperation to promote the Division and individuals’ political aspirations.
Sheikh Olowo-Oribi, who stated that the discords within the Muslim community have been resolved and leaders and members are now working for a common purpose, also admonished politicians to close ranks and bring dividends and top positions to Ikorodu Division.
The Islamic leader spoke at the grand finale of Senator Tokunbo Lecture Series held at the Ikorodu Central Mosque Eid – Prayer Ground, on Thursday.
The lecture was themed, ‘Unity As Essential Tool For Community Development’, with Sheikh Murtador Amokomowo (Imam Oba), as the guest lecturer.
“If we examine other communities very well, it is unity among their people that is helping them to prosper and be in dominance. Do people from Ikorodu truly love themselves?”, Sheikh Olowo-Oribi asked rhetorically.
“Let’s love and support ourselves. It is our duty to support anyone among us that is pursuing or promoting a cause instead of working against such. It is the commandment of Allah that we must love our community”, he said.
He warned against Ikorodu people being the first to turn against one other when one of them is aspiring for political office at the state or national level.
“Other people don’t do that. Those from Lagos Island usually assist one another to get into Alausa, and they usually benefit from it. How many from Ikorodu are in good positions in Alausa?”, Sheikh Olowo-Oribi, again, asked rhetorically.
“Let’s extend love to one another and this is not restricted to the Muslim community alone but the entire town. It is not us in Islam that fights. Samadani (Fadhilat Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala Ishola As-Samadaani) does not fight with Olowo-Oribi (Fadhilat Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi) neither is Olowo-Oribi still fighting Samadani”, Sheikh Olowo-Oribi said, lifting Sheikh As – Samadani on his feet, while they held hands and danced together to a song to emphasize their friendship.
He also charged politicians in whose circle he said that discord prevails to change and embrace cooperation, love and unity that would promote development in Ikorodu, and lift its people up.
“Others outside Ikorodu don’t fight to the extent that they will lose any important position like politicians do in Ikorodu. What they usually do is to cooperate and ensure that they get the position for their division. Politicians in Ikorodu should emulate nature like this”.
While commending Senator Tokunbo Abiru and Rep. Babajimi Benson for all that they do, Sheikh Olowo-Oribi asked what those that had represented Ikorodu before, did.
“This particular eid prayer ground was constructed by Sen. Abiru single – handedly and there are many other things that he has been doing all over. That now makes people wonder if those before him had been going to the Senate to sleep.
“If you look at our House of Representatives counterpart, Rep. Babajimi Benson, it is the same thing everywhere, and I keep asking what were those before them have been doing?”.
Sheikh Olowo-Oribi said that the three – term lawmaker has done more than the six council chairmen in Ikorodu Division have done in the last eight years of their administrations put together.
While calling for cohesion and unity among Ikorodu, Igbogbo, Ijede, Imota and other major towns within Ikorodu Division, the no – nonsense religion leader, again, emphasized the need for Ikorodu to collectively support their own to get to higher positions and stop being subordinates at Alausa secretariat.
