Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, and Sheikh Abdul-Wasiu Hamzah Erubami, a revered Muslim Cleric, have appealed to Muslims in Ikorodu to embrace unity and peace in order to enable Islam attain further development in the community. This appeal was made during this year’s Ojude Oba celebration, which was held on Friday, August 16, 2019, at the Ayangbure palace.
The annual event, which is being organized by the Ikorodu Muslim Community Association (IMCA), the umbrella body for all Muslim groups and societies in Ikorodu, was instituted to enable Muslims in Ikorodu to pay homage to the Ayangbure and felicitate with him on the occasion of the Ileya (Eid-el-Kabir) celebration.
This year’s edition recorded impressive attendance as members of over thirty (30) affiliated Muslim groups and societies of IMCA as well as revered Chief Imams, Muslim Clerics and Muslim jammah across Ikorodu turned out enmasse in gorgeous attires to partake in the carnival-like event, which was packed with pomp, fun and celebration. The event also had the presence of traditionalists, traditional Chiefs, Baales and notable dignitaries.
The Chief lecturer at the event, Sheikh Abdul-Wasiu Hamzah Erubami, while briefly delivering his lecture, explained that Islam is a religion that thrives on unity and peace among its adherents. He stated that IMCA was created purposely to ensure that there is unity and peace within the Muslim community, which, regrettably, is being defeated by unnecessary wrangling among Muslim groups and societies in Ikorodu.
Sheikh Erubami specifically alluded to the perennial supremacy war between Ikorodu Central Mosque and Oriwu Central Mosque and described the situation as unfortunate, stating that there shouldn’t have been any reason for power struggle between the two as the former is deservedly and obviously the number one central mosque in Ikorodu.
He stated that though the two leading central mosques belong to Ikorodu, the supremacy of Ikorodu Central Mosque needs to be respected and recognized, failure of which unity and peace would continue to elude the Muslim community in the town no matter the effort being made by IMCA in that regard. The revered Muslim Cleric said that his opinion over the conflict between the two leading central mosques is not based on his membership of Ikorodu Central Mosque but on truth and the reality on ground, while urging IMCA to be truthful and sincere in resolving conflicts and other contentious issues among its other member groups and societies for genuine unity and peace to reign. He also appealed to Muslims in Ikorodu to always forgive and tolerate one another as well as embrace peace and unity in their relationship in order to move Islam and Ikorodu forward.
While corroborating Sheikh Erubami’s statements, Oba Shotobi urged Muslims in Ikorodu to be united and relate peacefully with one another to enable Islam attain further progress and development in the community. He said that Islam is a religion that preaches peace among its adherents and humanity in general and urged Muslims to always conduct themselves peacefully in their dealings with fellow Muslims and human beings He advised them not to allow their respective selfish interest to cause disunity within the Muslim community and the society at large.
Oba Shotobi also appealed to Muslims as well as Muslim groups and societies to always resolve their differences amicably and shun needless power struggle, which can further cause disunity within the Ikorodu Muslim community. He expressed joy over the large turnout of Muslims, who stormed his palace to pay him homage, and commended IMCA and the entire Ikorodu Muslim community for ensuring successful outing of this year’s Ojude Oba celebration. The Monarch also congratulated Muslims in Ikorodu on the successful celebration of this year’s Ileya festival and prayed that Islam and Ikorodu would continue to witness remarkable unity, peace and development.
In a brief remark, Sheikh Seifudeen Olowooribi, the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, explained that the love, which Muslims in Ikorodu have for Oba Shotobi, compelled them to pay a visit to the palace annually during Ileya festival to pay him homage. He, therefore, urged Ikorodu Muslim community to use the same love in contributing their quota to the development and unity of Ikorodu and Islam.
Earlier, the IMCA Coordinator, Alhaji Musibau Rotinwa, in his welcome address, rejoiced with Oba Shotobi and the entire Ikorodu Muslim community on the occasion of another successful Ojude Oba celebration. He thanked the Monarch and other well-meaning individuals for contributing to the success of this year’s event through their financial support. Alhaji Rotinwa disclosed that plans were underway to take off the financial burden involved in organizing the annual event from Oba Shotobi and other donors by approaching big companies and corporate bodies for sponsorship However, there is need to first register IMCA with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in order to achieve that. He, therefore, appealed to the gathering to assist in raising the N150,000 needed for the registration.
Before the IMCA coordinator could continue his address, a message came from the high table that Alhaji (Chief) Sikiru Ibuowo, the Ogbeni Oja of Ikorodu, had volunteered to donate the money and a deafening shout of “Allahu Akbar” rented the air in appreciation of the exemplary gesture.
Alhaji Rontinwa thanked Chief Ibuowo for his donation and urged other wealthy Muslims to emulate him by assisting IMCA with financial and material donations in equipping its new secretariat. He also commended affiliated member groups and societies that have been paying their annual dues regularly and promptly while also appealing to those that were defaulting to pay up in order to enhance the smooth running of the body.
Also at the event, Oba Shotobi requested Sheikh Seifudeen Olowooribi to lead a special prayer in commemoration of his 4th coronation anniversary and 5th anniversary of the demise of his immediate predecessor, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi. Other features of the memorable event were Quran recitation, praise for the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), launching of the IMCA calendar for the new Islamic year and paying of homage by various Muslim groups and societies.
Other dignitaries at the event were Olori Kudirat Shotobi, Otunba Lamidi Gbadamosi, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Chief Kazeem Ogbara, Mr. Fola Tinubu, Chief Ajenise Kuti, Dr. Tajudeen Bawa Allah, Hon. Folasade Olabanji Oba (Vice – Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government), Chief Zacheaus Odusoga (Lisa of Ikorodu), Chief Kareem Ore (Apena of Ikorodu), Alhaja Nimotalahi Bili Gafar, Alhaji Lukman Bili Gafar, Sheikh Tajudeen Ojifini, representing Oriwu Central Mosque, Alhaji Olapade (Chief Imam, Anwar-ur-Islam), Sheikh (Alhaji) Jamiu Abdul-Azeez (Chief Imam, RIDMON), Sheikh Musa Abdul-Azeem (Chief Imam, Ansar-ul-Lahi) and others.
Among the Muslim groups and societies at the event were Ikorodu Central Mosque, Oriwu Central Mosque, Nasrul-il-Fathi Society (NASFAT), Ansar-ul-Deen Society, Nuru Islam Alasalatu of Nigeria Mosque, Riatu Janet Mosque, Nawarudeen Mosque, Shamsudeen Society of Nigeria, Anwar-ul Islam Society, Jamatul Islam Mosque, Global Congregation of As-Samadani Muslim Society, Oloro Central Mosque, Oke Oriya Central Mosque, Olorunyonusimi Central Mosque, Ajijola Anobi Mosque and others.
