Muslims, Christians lead joint N150m rebuilding drive for 80-year-old Abeokuta mosque

IN a rare display of interfaith unity, Muslims and Christians in the Itesi community of Abeokuta, Ogun State, have launched a joint fundraising effort to raise N150 million for the remodelling and expansion of 80-year-old Itesi Central Mosque.

The initiative, which was formally unveiled last Saturday during the turbaning of distinguished community members conferred with honorary Islamic titles and fundraising appeal held at St. Peter Claver’s Convent School compound in Itesi, Abeokuta, brought together faith leaders, government officials, community representatives and business stakeholders.

Reverend Adejuwon Adeolu Joseph, who represented the Minister in Charge of Trinity Methodist Church, Itesi, acknowledged the interfaith spirit and described the collaboration as a model of unity.

“This is not common in our environment. Bringing religions together to raise funds fosters love and unity. Religious leaders must see ourselves as one,” he stated.

Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and erstwhile Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, cautioned against personal ownership claims over worship centres.

He explained that a mosque belongs solely to Allah, regardless of who sponsors its construction.

“There is nothing like community or individual ownership in mosque. Mosque belongs to God… Once you put up a mosque, you can’t lay ownership to it. Even if you single-handedly build it, it doesn’t belong to you. Every Muslim in the world has the right to worship there, irrespective of background,” he declared.

Ambassador Ishola congratulated the newly turbaned honorees, praying for wealth, wisdom and patience to serve the Muslim community with dignity, unity and humility.

Reinforcing this message, the Wakilu Musulumi of Yorubaland, Sheikh Iskeel Awwal (Sugar), stressed that mosque development must be driven by sincerity and trust in divine support.

Sheikh Awwal recalled budgeting N150 million to rebuild a mosque he demolished for modernisation, emphasising that success comes only from Allah.

“It is God that builds a mosque. Once you build it, it belongs to Him. Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola and his family have paid their dues in service to Islam and humanity… Whatever comes next is in the hands of God,” he remarked.

Chairman of the Ogun State Committee on Musabaqah, AbdulHameed Femi Omotayo, commended the founding fathers of the mosque and the community for preserving the legacy.

He noted that constructing a mosque is both a spiritual and communal investment.

“Anyone who builds a mosque on the surface of the earth, Allah will reserve a place for him or her in Paradise,” he said, urging Muslims to emulate the Saudi model of monumental religious structures.

He also addressed concerns about religious tension, urging communities to unite for peace and security, insisting that violence in Nigeria does not target any single religion.

“We must work together intentionally. Islam teaches that your neighbours within 40 houses are part of your family. Harmony is the foundation of a prosperous community,” Omotayo said.

Several notable donations were announced, including N1 million each from Prof. Lateef Sanni and Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Abiodun Agbaje, the Baba Adinni of Gbagura.

Prof. Sanni urged the community to harness both the spiritual and economic opportunities inherent in worship centres, describing mosques as potential drivers of communal development.

“We should take a cue from the Saudi model… A mosque is a monumental structure, an asset. It has the potential to transform the fortunes of Itesi community,” he said.

The Secretary of the Planning Committee, Abdul-Hakeem Olajide Bello, assured of full accountability in executing the renovation project.

Earlier, the Balogun Musulumi of Itesi, Alhaji Kamal’deen Akintunde, described the ceremony as a historic milestone for the Itesi Muslim community, stressing the need to elevate the mosque to meet contemporary standards.

“This undertaking is a recognition of the need to accord our place of worship the dignity it deserves. The turbaning should not be seen merely as an honor but a solemn call to service,” he stated.

Akintunde, who is also the Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), urged faith organisations to take the lead in complying with building regulations.

“Non-compliance undermines societal sanity and endangers environmental safety. Faith institutions must lead by example,” he added.

Individuals honoured with Islamic titles and turbaned at the ceremony included Alhaji Owolabi Semiu Shittu (Baba Adeen), Alhaji Muhammad Shansaliu Adeola Adeniji (Olori Adeen), Ustaz Abdur-Rofiu Solahudeen (Mufassir), Imam Abdul Hameed Abdul-Salam (Ekerin Olomokewu), Alhaji Abd-Waheed Owolabi Folorunso (Saraki Adeen), and Alhaji Taofeeq Adisa Shorunke (Akinrogun).

Others were Ustaz AbdulRasheed AbdulRafiu Kehinde Adebiyi (Balogun Olomokewu), Alhaja Kuburat Omowunmi Abiodun (Balogun Alasalatu), Alhaja Iswat Shogunle (Seriki Alasalatu), Alhaja Muibat Aweni Sanni Waheed (Ekerin Alasalatu), Alhaja Simbiat Okuribido (Bada Alasalatu), Alhaja Lateefat Shorunke (Agbesinga Alasalatu), and Alhaja Rasheedat Apinke Adegbola (Saraki Alasalatu).

The Chief Imam of Itesi, Alhaji AbdurRafiu Odebiyi, noted that the honorees had demonstrated lifelong commitment to Islam. 

While installing them, he urged continued service through wealth and strength.

Dignitaries in attendance included the representative of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Sa’adalahi Bamgbola; Alhaji Jamiu Babalola Osundare, Managing Director of Jobazeet Nigeria Limited; the representative of the Olowu of Owu, Olori Ameenah Adeleye Matemilola; and Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Abiodun Agbaje, the Baba Adinni of Gbagura.

Others were the former chairman of Odeda Local Government, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Tunji Kalejaiye; former Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Kehinde Sogunle; Hon. Adenekan Ganiu Abiodun, councillor representing Ward 1, Abeokuta South Local Government; and Mrs. Oluwaranti Ogunjemilusi, vice chairman of the local government.

Organisational delegations included the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), Al-Muminat (The Believing Women Organisation), and various bodies of Imams and Alfas across Ogun State.