*Gov Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa(middle) with the MUSWEN delegation.
*R-L: Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and MUSWEN President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo…during the visit.
The President of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, on Tuesday led a delegation of the organisation on a courtesy visit to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, ahead of its 11th General Assembly scheduled for November 15.
*Imams and some other members of the delegation.
The delegation comprised of Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, Deputy President I; Alhaji Wale Sonaike, Deputy President II; Prof Wole Abbas, Executive Secretary; Professor Muibi Opeloye, Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC); other senior officials of MUSWEN; leaders of Ondo State Muslim Community and clerics among others.
During the visit, Alhaji Oladejo
sought the governor’s support for the successful hosting of the MUSWEN General Assembly, which will take place at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque Hall.
He also appealed to the state government to support the establishment of a chapter of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Ondo State to strengthen interfaith dialogue and promote peaceful coexistence.
Oladejo, who is also the Deputy President-General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said the proposed NIREC chapter would provide a platform for Muslim and Christian leaders to address misunderstandings, prevent religious conflicts and promote mutual understanding at the grassroots.
He explained that NIREC comprises 60 members, with equal representation from the Muslim and Christian communities, and is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, who is President-General of the NSCIA, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
According to him, one of the priorities of the council’s newly appointed Executive Secretary, Professor Muibi Opeloye, is to establish chapters across the states of the federation to strengthen interfaith engagement at the community level.
The proposed Ondo State chapter would comprise 14 members, with seven representatives each from the Muslim and Christian communities.
Oladejo appealed to Aiyedatiwa to facilitate the establishment of the chapter through appropriate administrative arrangements and provide an enabling environment for its activities.
He said the initiative would complement existing religious organisations and government institutions by providing a structured platform for dialogue, early intervention in potential disputes and conflict prevention.
The MUSWEN president added that the establishment of the chapter would demonstrate the state government’s commitment to religious freedom, inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
On the forthcoming General Assembly, Oladejo described the event as a major gathering of Muslim leaders, Islamic scholars and community representatives from across the South-West to deliberate on issues affecting Muslims and the wider society.
He said the assembly would provide an opportunity to strengthen unity among Muslims, deepen cooperation among constituent organisations and develop practical responses to challenges such as economic hardship, insecurity and youth unemployment.
He therefore sought the Ondo State Government’s goodwill and support for the successful hosting of the event, while expressing hope that the governor would participate in activities surrounding the assembly as his schedule permitted.
Oladejo also called for sustained collaboration between the state government and the Muslim community in education, youth empowerment, healthcare, poverty reduction and economic inclusion.
He stressed that regular consultations between government officials and Muslim leaders would help address community concerns and enable religious organisations to contribute to public policy and development.
The MUSWEN president said investment in education, vocational training and skills acquisition was essential to preparing young people for productive lives, while partnerships between government, religious organisations and the private sector could expand opportunities for youth.
He added that policies aimed at improving healthcare, creating employment and protecting vulnerable citizens would strengthen public confidence and social stability.
Oladejo commended Aiyedatiwa for his administration’s intervention in resolving the crisis that had affected the Ikare-Akoko Muslim community for more than three years and led to the closure of its central mosque.
He said MUSWEN’s Mediation and Reconciliation Committee had visited Ikare to mediate in the dispute before the state government’s intervention brought the crisis to an end.
According to him, the Commissioner for Local Government and the Chairman of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board also provided assistance to the committee during its mediation efforts.
He described the resolution of the dispute as evidence of the importance of cooperation between government and religious institutions in addressing communal conflicts.
Oladejo reaffirmed MUSWEN’s readiness to work with the Ondo State Government, NIREC, the Christian community and other stakeholders to promote religious harmony, peace and development.
He expressed hope that the governor would give favourable consideration to the request for the establishment of the NIREC chapter and continue supporting the Muslim community in the state.
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked MUSWEN for the visit. He promised support for the group’s forthcoming General Assembly and also said his administration would give a favourable consideration to the establishment of the state chapter of NIREC as requested.
The governor also used the opportunity to commend the Ondo State Muslim community for their peaceful coexistence with their counterparts of other faiths.