The new Chief Imam of Lagos, His Eminence Fahdeelat Shaykh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abuu Noola, on Thursday, November 29, 2018, paid an official familiarization visit to the Muslim community in Ikorodu division amidst heavy drumming and singing.
It was all celebration and show of respect and love for the number one Muslim in Lagos State as an estimated crowd of 3,000 that included members of the Muslim community across the six councils in the division as well as traditional rulers and Baales were on ground to receive him and his entourage.
The visit by Sheikh Abuu Noola, who was turbaned this year after the demise of the former Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garba Akinola, in 2017, was likened by many to the triumphant entry of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) to the Holy City of Medina after his spiritual departure (Hijrah) from Makkah, his place of birth.
As early as 8a.m on that day, scores of members of the Ikorodu Council of Chief Imams and Alfas, led by Chief Imam of Ikorodu, Sheikh Seifudeen Olowooribi and other Chief Imams from Igbogbo, Ijede, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West and Imota as well as the executives of the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal Roundabout in Ebute to receive their august visitor and his team.
At exactly 9:07am, Sheikh Abuu Noola arrived to a rousing welcome in a red Toyota Camry car alongside a Coaster bus, which had his entourage that include Chief Imams and revered Muslim clerics from Lagos Island and other divisions in Lagos State.
The hosts and their visitors, who had formed a huge convoy, immediately left the Ferry Terminal Roundabout amidst heavy drumming and singing by a team of Muslim drummers, popularly known as Bandiri drummers, and headed for the Ayangbure palace, where Sheikh Abuu Noola paid a courtesy visit to Oba Kabir Shotobi.
As soon as the convoy berthed at the palace, the Chief Imam of Lagos and his Ikorodu counterpart as well as other members of the convoy were ushered into the hall by palace aides where they were seated as they awaited the arrival of the Kabiyesi.
A few minutes later, Oba Shotobi arrived the hall in company of Obas of Igbogbo, Ibeshe, Ebute and Egbin as well as some Baales. The Oba of Imota later joined the event.
After the opening prayer and introduction of the traditional rulers, the Chief Guest and his entourage and other dignitaries, Chief Imam Olowooribi was invited to give the welcome address.
In the brief address, Sheikh Olowooribi commended the visit by the new Chief Imam of Lagos to the Muslim community in Ikorodu division, congratulated Oba Shotobi and other Monarchs in the division and described the event as an epoch making one. He explained that they had deemed it fit to first come to the palace before going anywhere to enable the Chief Imam to pay homage since the monarch is the leader of all religions in Ikorodu and requested for his royal blessings for the Muslim leader to enable him have a successful reign.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Abou Noola, in his address, thanked Oba Shotobi for hosting him and his entourage and also commended other Monarchs for leaving their various palaces to honour him with their presence.
He explained that his visit to Ikorodu division was one of several others he planned to embark upon across other divisions in his bid to foster unity, peace and love among Muslim communities in Lagos State.
Sheikh Abuu Noola said he also plan to organize an annual leadership seminar, where Chief Imams, Alfas and other Muslim leaders would be given leadership training and other enlightenment regarding Islam. He disclosed that the first edition of the seminar will come up on January 11, 2019.
He expressed dismay over the degeneration of moral values among Muslims in the society and stated that all hands must be on deck to address the situation.
To achieve this, the Muslim leader disclosed that the Council of Chief Imams and Ulamas in Lagos State plans to build an Islamic Theology Centre, where Muslims would be educated on proper Islamic ethics and moral values. He added that the council would be counting on the support of Oba Shotobi and other Monarchs as it plans to establish the centre in the division.
Sheikh Abuu Noola stated that the council is also planning to establish a Muslim hospital in each of the five divisions of the State to enable Muslims have easy and better access to medical treatment.
Oba Shotobi, in his response, assured Sheikh Abuu Noola of the support of the traditional rulers and entire Muslim community in the division for his tenure and all he plans to do to unite Muslims and promote Islam.
He told the Chief Imam of Lagos and his entourage that despite their positions as traditional leaders, he and other Obas in the division are Muslims and are still committed to Islam, which was the reason they were all present to receive them despite having a very important meeting in Lagos that morning.
Oba Shotobi urged Sheikh Abuu Noola to use his position and reign in uniting muslims and ensure they live together peacefully irrespective of the Islamic group they belong.
In his own brief remarks, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, urged Muslims to place importance on the acquisition of quality western education, which, according to him, if well blended with Islamic education, would give them an edge over other people in the society.
He also enjoined Muslims to be united and shun radicalism, which could breed division if allowed to fester.
Oba Abdul-Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin, in his own contribution, commended Sheikh Abuu Noola on his plan to establish an Islamic Theology Centre, organize a seminar as well as other initiatives and assured him of his support and that of his colleagues.
Also, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, in his own address, lauded Sheikh Abuu Noola on the familiarization visit, stating that he had been willing to meet him since he heard about his installation in the media.
He stated that as a traditional ruler, he is aware of the existence of God, who is more powerful than him, which is the reason he has remained a practicing Muslim despite being an Oba. He added that he specifically asked the traditionalists and kingmakers in Imota to allow him practice his religion with a promise that he would also allow them to practice theirs without interference.
He described Islam as a complete and peaceful religion and warned Muslim clerics and other Muslims against forcing people into the religion as well as tagging non-Muslims as unbelievers, stating that it is only God who determines those that truly worship Him.
The visit was rounded off with a closing remark by Hon. Wasiu Adesina, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, and a brief photo session respectively.
From the palace, the familiarization train moved to Ikorodu Central Mosque in Obun Ale, where a brief prayer session was held for Sheikh Abuu Noola and his entourage, after which it headed straight to the proposed Ikorodu Division Muslim Community Islamic Centre ground at Itamaga for the reception proper. At the open ground of the centre where IDIMCO is proposing to build a divisional central mosque, Islamic multi-purpose hall and Islamic e-library, a crowd of male and female members of the muslim community across Ikorodu division had seated separately under two giant canopies while they eagerly awaited the arrival of the Chief Imam of Lagos.
At exactly 12:27p.m, Sheikh Abuu Noola arrived the venue and was immediately given a rapturous welcome as the entire gathering gave him a standing ovation while he briefly moved round to acknowledge cheers and greetings from the excited crowd before settling down on his seat on the high table alongside other guests as the event was declared open with an opening prayer.
In his welcome speech, Alhaji Seifudeen Andu, IDIMCO Coordinator, welcomed Sheikh Abuu Noola and his entourage to Ikorodu division while also describing their visit as an historical occurrence that would be remembered for a long time.
He described Sheikh Abuu Noola as an embodiment of knowledge, whose installation as the new Chief Imam of Lagos was a square peg in a square hole and expressed confidence that his reign would further lift Islam to greater heights.
Alhaji Andu also assured him of the unflinching loyalty and support of Ikorodu division muslim community for his leadership and wished him a successful reign as he steers the affairs of Islam in Lagos State.
In his brief response, Sheikh Abuu Noola expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Muslims in Ikorodu division for the love and respect they accorded him and his entourage and prayed that God would honour them accordingly.
While further disclosing his plans for Muslims and Islam in Lagos state, he stated that plans are underway for the establishment of Mulsim cemeteries and cooperative societies, establishment of a single body to coordinate Zakat collection, directory for Chief Imams, Ulamas and other Muslim leaders in the State and delivery of Khutubah (sermon) by Imams across the State during Jumat service, among others.
Several Islamic scholars representing the six councils in Ikorodu division also took their turns to offer eulogies and praises to Sheikh Abuu Noola to his admiration and that of the entire gathering.
The event equally features a donation session, gift presentations to the Chief Imam of Lagos and a group photograph session.
Others at the event were Oba Bashir Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo; Oba Richard Ogunsanya Olubeshe of Ibeshe; Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya; Sheikh Kolawole Tijani Sanni, Chief Imam of Epe division; Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Azeez Sogunro, Chief Imam of Ikeja; Sheikh Abdul-Akeem Akewusola, Chief Imam of Badagry; Sheikh Olubodun Gbajabiamila; Alhaji Saidi Noheem, Secretary, Lagos Central Mosque, among others.
