Akinola donates buses to FOMWAN, mosque, visits Ooni

THE Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola, has expressed commitment to his pledge to sustain the legacy of his predecessor, the late Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola-Alao, for the promotion of the welfare of Muslims and advancement of Islam.

He made the remark while presenting two new buses to the Oyo State chapter of the Association of Muslim Women’s Organisation in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Akorede Central Mosque, Bola Ige International Market, Gbagi, Ibadan.

At the presentation ceremony, held last week, at his residence in the Ikolaba area of Ibadan, Alhaji Akinola said he stood by his pledge and appealed to organisations, student bodies and private individuals who had requested for assistance to be patient.

While urging the beneficiaries of the brand new buses to make the most of the vehicles, he expressed the hope that his gesture would bring about a good relationship between “your religious organisations and the office of the Aare Musulumi.”

Responding, the Ameera of FOMWAN in the state, Alhaja Simiat Ogundiran and the chairman of Bola Ige International Market, Alhaji Mukaila Adebayo, thanked Alhaji Akinola for his magnanimity at this austere period.

They described the successful merchant as a cheerful giver and prayed Allah to grant him wisdom, good health, prosperity and longevity to serve humanity.

Alhaji Akinola thanked the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for his support for him since he assumed his religious position in 2015 and pledged his support for the governor in his resolve to transform the state.

The ceremony was attended by traders, businessmen and women and eminent Muslim personalities from across the state, including the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyy Abubakri Agbotomokekere and popular preacher, Sheikh Muyideen Bello.

Prior to the ceremony, Alhaji Akinola paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his palace in Ile-Ife, as “the father of the Yoruba race.”

Alhaji Akinola sought the support of the traditional ruler in advancing the cause of humanity and the Yoruba race in particular.

He said: “As the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, we need royal fathers in whose domains Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths reside. May Allah (SWT) continue to grant you the wisdom to lead the people of Ile-Ife and further unite the Yoruba race.”

In his response, Oba Ogunwusi thanked the Aare Musulumi and his team for the visit.

He described Akinola as a businessman of repute and a philanthropist who never discriminates against religion, tribe, race or colour.

The traditional ruler said he was prepared to collaborate with the Aare Musulumi in his desire to ameliorate the sufferings of the downtrodden.

He prayed for Nigeria to come out of its present economic woes.