Gbadamosi Unveils New Agenda as MUSCOYS Inaugurates Executive
By Sadiq Abdulfatah
The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has inaugurated a new executive committee to lead the affairs of the Muslim community in the state for the next three years, with education, Zakat, Sadaqah and poverty reduction among its major areas of focus.
The new Chairman, Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, announced the plans during his inaugural address at the ceremony held on Sunday at the MUSCOYS Secretariat in Ibadan.
Gbadamosi said his administration would work with the Oyo State Government to improve the condition of public schools across the state, describing investment in education as an investment in the future of young people.
“Most importantly, I said that we will liaise with the government to improve the condition of public schools in Oyo State, because if we improve the condition of schools, we are saving the future,” he stated.
He also said the new leadership would encourage Muslims across the state to pay Zakat and Sadaqah, with the funds directed towards helping people in need and reducing poverty.
Gbadamosi said the initiative would require continuous encouragement and mobilisation of Muslims across the state.
The new administration is expected to build on the work of its predecessors while advancing programmes covering education, poverty alleviation, social welfare, Islamic unity and constructive engagement with government and other stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, Professor Afeez Oladosu, former Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ibadan and Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, reminded Muslim and political leaders that leadership is a trust and should be used to serve Allah and humanity.
Oladosu particularly urged political office seekers ahead of the forthcoming general elections not to use public positions to gain personal wealth or divert public resources.
He said leaders should remember that they would eventually account for their actions and should use their positions to support less privileged people.
“In my presentation, I told the gathering that all of us will account for our deeds. We should see positions of authority as service to God and humanity and not service to ourselves. We should use the opportunity to connect with the less privileged,” he said.
The scholar also commended the outgoing MUSCOYS leadership for its achievements and encouraged the new administration to continue from the foundation already established.
He called on leaders across the country to view public office as an opportunity to improve the welfare of Nigerians rather than a means of personal enrichment.
The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akewugberu, also described the inauguration as an important step towards strengthening unity among Muslims in Oyo State.
Akewugberu said the development represented a renewed awareness of Islam within the Muslim community in the state and could also have a wider impact across the Southwest.
“Alhamdulillah, it is a reawakening process that is promoting a renaissance of Islamic consciousness within the fold of the Ummah in Oyo State in particular and, by extension, in the entire Southwest Ummah,” he said.
He prayed for Allah’s guidance for the new leadership and for the acceptance of the efforts and supplications of the Muslim community.
The event also featured awards for individuals recognised for their contributions to the Muslim community and society. The recipients were Alhaji Waheed Amoo, Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, Professor Adewale Musa Olomu and Alhaji Yekeen Balogun.
As part of the new leadership inaugurated for the three-year tenure, Alhaji Lawal Olalere was named Deputy Chairman, while Alhaji Olasupo Abubakri Adeyemi, Dr AbdulAkeem Ayoade Raji, Khalifa Quadri Olohunlolowo, Daud Salaudeen Bibire, Alhaji Najeemdeen Morawo and Dr Amzat Mumuni were inaugurated as Vice Chairmen.
Professor Taofeeq Yekinni became Secretary General, with Dr Jimoh Wasiu Ademola as Deputy Secretary General. The Assistant Secretaries General are Bro. Dawood Mansour, Bro. Belawu Yinusa Olanrewaju, Musibau Wasiu Moyosore, Adesokan Teslim Oyewunmi, Bello Sirajudeen Adewale and Salami Lasisi Adebayo.
Adesokan Isiaka Ayokomi was inaugurated as Treasurer, Sanni Risikat Adebola as Assistant Treasurer and Ojebisi Mujidat Folashade as Assistant Financial Secretary.
Other officers are Maruff Olabamiji Yusuf, Public Relations Officer; Alimi Yusau Ayotunde, Welfare Officer; Wasiu Akorede Lamidi, Legal Officer; and Imam Abdul-Jelil A. A. Olajori, Da’wah Officer.
Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade and Tajudeen Adeniji were inaugurated as Ex-Officio Members.
Dr Olayide Mojeed Ladipupo was inaugurated as Chairman of the Management Board of Oyo State Muslim Hospital, Ibadan, while Alhaja Nusirat Bakare became a member of the hospital’s Management Board.
The ceremony was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Wole Abass; the Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akewugberu; Baba Isale Musulumi of Oyo State, Chief Nureni Akanbi; and the outgoing Chairman of MUSCOYS, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni, among other Muslim leaders, scholars and community stakeholders.
The inauguration took place at the MUSCOYS Secretariat in Ibadan and brought together members of the Muslim Ummah and other stakeholders to mark the beginning of the new three-year leadership.
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