Ogun Muslim Council moves to reposition for 21st-century challenges

IN a move to reposition the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) for 21st-century relevance, the President-General, the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola, on Sunday convened a high-level “strategic retreat” at the Aafin Owu, Abeokuta.

According to a statement signed by the OMC Secretary-General, Alhaji Kamal’ Akintunde, the retreat brought together a diverse think tank of Islamic scholars, professionals, youth leaders and women’s organisations.

The event marked the first major consultative engagement since Oba Matemilola’s emergence as head of the apex Muslim body in the state, reflecting a deliberate shift towards inclusive governance and evidence-based leadership within the Ummah.

Addressing delegates, the President-General stressed that the retreat was not merely an administrative meeting, but a “design laboratory” aimed at fostering unity, brotherhood and a more purposeful Islamic leadership structure.

The session featured a review of several position papers submitted by constituent groups and stakeholders, underscoring a collective aspiration for a more vibrant and sustainable institution.

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A major outcome of the retreat was the adoption of a bottom-up consultative approach. Rather than implementing immediate changes, delegates were mandated to return to their respective organisations with the preliminary outcomes for peer review.

The two-month consultation period is designed to ensure that the final roadmap reflects broad consensus across the Ogun State Muslim community.

“Our goal is to build a council that is not only unified, but one that remains profoundly relevant in the socio-political and spiritual landscape of our state,” the statement noted.

Feedback from the various groups, expected within two months, will culminate in the formal OMC Strategic Declaration.

The document is expected to serve as the blueprint for the council’s future programmes, administrative reforms and strategic contributions to the development of Ogun State.