By Dupson Collins, 13th August, 2023
The League of Imams in Akure Land on Sunday 13th of August held a public lecture and special prayers for the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN CON at the Akure Central Mosque.
The two in one programme was well attended by all the Imams and Muslims Ummah in Akure Land.
The special prayers become imperative for the governor who is gradually recuperating from undisclosed ailment in Germany.
Speaking at the Public Lecture on the theme “The New Nigerian Project: Our Roles” the Guest Speaker and Chief Imam of the Government House Mosque, Dr Yunus Anola highlighted the roles expected of the citizens for good governance to take place saying both the leaders and followers have cogent roles to play if Nigeria must grow and develop.
He added that despite the well crafted National Anthem and National Pledge for the country, Nigerians only sing and recite it without making use of the words coined in the Anthem and Pledge.
Dr Yunus enjoined Muslims brothers and sisters to see governance as collective responsibilities that everyone must be actively involved.
On his part, the Chairman of the of the programme, Dr Abass Mimiko charged the Muslim Faithfuls in Ondo State to join mainstream politics ahead of the 2024 Governorship Election in the state, saying it’s the turn of the Muslim to produce the next Governor in Ondo State.
He noted that since the creation of Ondo State 47 years back, the Christians have been at the helm of affairs of the State right from the time of Pa Adekunle Ajasin to the present government under the tutelage of Arakunrin Akeredolu.
Mimiko asked the Muslims to reject Deputy Governorship slot in the forthcoming governorship, saying the Muslims have tolerated and supported the past and present Christian governors for long and the Christians should be willing to reciprocate same to the Muslim.
He Commended the League of Imams in Akure Land for organizing special prayers for the ailing Governor, saying the love and affection shown to the Muslims in the state by Akeredolu is commendable.
The Representative of the Acting Governor, Alhaji Amidu Takuro thanked the League of Imams in Akure Land for always remembering Governor Akeredolu in their prayers and also picking a day to offered special prayers for him.
While assuring the religious leaders in the state of proper consultation and engagement in the sharing of the fuel subsidy palliatives, he added that muslim deserve to be elected governor in Ondo.
On his part, the Grand Chief Imam of Akure Land, Sheikh (Dr) Abdul-Hakeem Yayi Akorede-Albakar described Akeredolu as one governor that love, cherish and place high premium on Muslims faithful in Ondo State.
He added that for the first time in the history of Ondo State, Akeredolu is the first governor to build Mosque in Government House despite coming from Christian background, saying he deserves to be honoured with special prayers.
The Grand Imam said for the agitation of Muslim Governor to come to reality in Ondo State, Muslims Ummah must join the mainstream politics and be active ahead of the 2024 Guber polls.
Speaking with PATH, the Chairman Planning Committee, Alhaji Ismail Ododolooto commended the impressive turnout from both the invited guests and Ummah.
Alhaji Ododolooto said the public lecture was organized to enlighten Muslims faithful of their roles and responsibilities in the country and not leaving the governance of the country in the hands of the political leaders alone.
He further said the League of Imams in Akure Land used the special prayers programme to interceed for the governor who prioritize the welfare of the Muslim in Ondo State.
Some of the Guest in attendance includes Dr (Barr) Olumuyiwa Adu, Dr Abass Mimiko, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, Dr Yunus Anola, Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Abdul-Hakeem Yayi Akorede-Albakar, Imams from Mosques in Akure Land, Iya Fatai Alamala, Muslims Brothers and Sisters among others.
