There is no doubt that the novel COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on all activities in the world, including religious events. Among these activities that are casualties of the deadly virus is the annual ‘Ojude Oba’ celebration being organized by the Ikorodu Muslim Community Association (IMCA) to celebrate the Eid-Kabir, popularly known as ‘Ileya Festival,’ with Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, and his household.
To celebrate the event, Muslim leaders and faithful from the two main central mosques in Ikorodu, Ikorodu Central Mosque and Oriwu Central Mosque, and those from various Muslim societies, would converge on the ‘Oba’s palace on Friday that follows ‘Ileya’ celebration amidst pomp and fanfare to celebrate with the Monarch and also offer prayers for him and entire Ikorodu community.
But due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, this year’s edition of the event could not hold, and instead, Oba Shotobi invited few Muslim leaders and dignitaries for a modest prayer session in his palace on Friday, August 14, 2020.
Fadhilatul Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowooribi, the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division and Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central mosque, and His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi (As-Samadani) the Chief Imam of Oriwu Central mosque, led other revered Muslim leaders in Ikorodu to the special prayer.
The two leading Chief Imams also led other Muslim clerics in offering special prayers for Oba Shotobi, his family, Ikorodu community, Lagos State and Nigeria.
Also, a special prayer and recognition were accorded Chief Sikiru Ibuowo Ogunlewe, the Babaloja of Ikorodu for the major role he played in ensuring that IMCA obtained the certificate of incorporation from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The event also witnessed the unveiling and presentation of the certificate of incorporation and the annual Muslim Calendar to the royal father who, alongside other dignitaries, launched the calendar with monetary donations.
Meanwhile, in his royal message, Oba Shotobi, who was full of thanks to God for full recovery from his recent sickness, reinstated the need for strict adherence to COVID – 19 protocols by residents.
“I am most grateful to God for the preservation of my life and counting me worthy to be among those that will be part of this special prayer for Ikorodu today. I have many reasons to be thankful to Him.
“No one ever thought that we are not going to gather for the annual prayer this year and nobody could ask for the cows that I usually donate every year to the Muslim Community for the annual gathering due to the pandemic.”
He stated that COVID-19 is real and urged everyone to keep safe and adhere to the government’s directives.
“I have many reasons to extend our last vacation but instead, I insisted on returning to the country. We were part of those that flew into the country with the last flight before the airspace was closed due to COVID-19.”
“The entire Atlanta in the United States was like a ghost town before we came back to the country, we have never witnessed such a situation in the world before.
“What this is telling us is that the pandemic is real and we should all keep safe and adhere to all directives from the government.”
Oba Shotobi, who stated that many were still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, added that his 5th coronation anniversary was recently marked with an empowerment programme, where residents were given interest free loan for their trades and businesses.
“My 5th coronation anniversary, marked recently, was without fanfare. We used it to inaugurate interest free loan for some residents that engage in small business and use same to take care of their families and send their wards to school.”
“We resolved to grant them a loan without interest for their businesses and repay within six months. Those that repay within the stipulated time will be entitled to access double the sum that they were initially granted,” Oba Shotobi said.
“The money that we are granting our people was generated from people that we spoke to and it is domiciled in a bank. We have allocated certain numbers to some trade groups but we are concerned about their sureties for the recovery of the loan.”
“The loan is meant for those engaging in petty businesses and are in need of capital to sustain it and with capacity to pay back in six months, so that other people can have access to it too. That is what we marked our 5th anniversary with.”
The royal father also prayed that the COVID-19 pandemic will completely ease out and charged Muslim leaders to adhere strictly with government’s directives on the reopening of religious centres.
“I enjoin the Muslim Community, especially the two Imams that we have here today, to adhere strictly with the government’s directives on the reopening of Mosques. Government is yet to reopen normal prayers in mosques except Jumat.”
“We must continue to maintain social distancing for our own interests. I pray that no one among us will ever experience the COVID-19.”
“COVID-19 is real, hence lets us maintain social distancing for the time being, we need spiritual intervention to ease out the pandemic but the government had to lock worship centres to protect us.”
“We need to be prayerful and at the same time maintain social distancing. We cannot afford not to adhere to necessary stipulations because of the effects of the pandemic on mankind. It has recorded several deaths worldwide, especially in America, where they are still working on the vaccine.”
Oba Shotobi, who also hinted that the replacement for the vacant Senate position for the Lagos East will be from Ikorodu, also called on residents to support the clamour.
In his own brief remarks, Chief Imam Seifudeen Olowooribi lauded Oba Shotobi for the tremendous development and progress, which Ikorodu has attained under his reign and urged that Muslim community and the entire Ikorodu residents should continue to support him with prayers.
Sheikh Oshoala, while also speaking, charged Muslim faithful to always give thanks to God and involve Him in all their endeavours.
“We should always seek God in all our endeavours and anyone who does this will always overcome sickness and other challenges.”
“It is only those that show concern for Him that He always favour. We must endeavour to seek Him at all times.”
He also charged Muslims to reduce their love for money and ego, which he said have prevented them from seeking God.
“We are so concerned about money. Until we reduce our love for money, we may not get favour from God.”
“Another challenge that may prevent our relationship with God is ego; we are too much concerned about ourselves.”