Yayi, Adebule, Muslim Leaders, Others for Imodi-Ijebu Turbaning, ₦1bn Fundraiser

Yayi, Adebule, Muslim Leaders, Others for Imodi-Ijebu Turbaning, ₦1bn Fundraiser

The Nation’s Adebanjo, ex-Dean, ex-NAHCON chief, 17 others to be turbaned Saturday

Prominent political, religious and community leaders, including Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi; Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule; National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad; and Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, are expected at the turbaning ceremony of the Imodi-Ijebu Muslim Community in Ogun State on Saturday.

The ceremony, scheduled for 10am at the Tititlayo Agbaje Memorial Comprehensive High School (TAMCO), Imodi-Ijebu, will also feature a major ₦1 billion fundraising campaign aimed at advancing education and empowerment initiatives within the Muslim community.

Senator Adeola, the Ogun State APC governorship candidate, will serve as the Chief Launcher, while the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mabtech Electrical Engineering Services Limited, Abuja, Alhaji Engr. Abdul Waheed Yusuf, will be the Co-Launcher.

The Bashorun of Offa Kingdom, Alhaji (Dr) Najeemdeen Usman Yasin, is Chairman of the Day, while the Olumodi of Imodi, High Chief Musibau Adewale Okusajo, will serve as the Royal Father of the Day.

Other Fathers of the Day are Alhaji G.O. Mustapha, Alhaji Ogunwo Daud Owolabi and the Baba Adeen of Lagos, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi Macfoy.

The Mothers of the Day include Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, and the Ogun State APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa Balogun.

Among the Special Guests of Honour are the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo; Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Modupe Kadri; and Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai.

The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, will deliver the Guest Speaker’s address, while former Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Olakunle Hassan, and the Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, will deliver keynote addresses.

Olufowobi, Adebanjo, Sanni, others to receive titles

The event will also witness the conferment of traditional Islamic titles on distinguished members of the community and prominent personalities whose contributions to Islamic affairs and community development have been recognised.

Among the honourees is former Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Science, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr Chief Abdulfattah Owolabi Olufowobi, who will be installed as Baba Adeen of Imodi-Ijebu.

Senior Correspondent with The Nation Newspaper and National Secretary-General of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA), Alhaji Tajudeen Adegboyega Adebanjo, will receive the title of Giwa Adeen of Imodi-Ijebu.

Also to be honoured is the retired Director of Procurement at NAHCON, Alhaji Ishaq Sanni, who will be installed as Aare Adeen of Imodi-Ijebu.

Other nominees include Alhaja Hafsat Gbadamosi, Otun Iya Sunnah; Chief Ibraheem Opeyemi Mustapha, Otun Arowasadinni; Chief Araazim Ambali, Akeweje Adeen; Alhaji Abdul Wakeel Akorede Baoku, Alatunse Adeeni; Alhaja Sherifat Epenuse, Iyalode Adeen; Alhaja Arowolo Risikat, also known as Alawofin, Otun Asiwaju Adeen Obirin; and Chief Abdul Mojeed Agbaje, Otun Mogaji Adeen.

The titles are expected to go beyond ceremonial recognition, with the recipients saddled with responsibilities to contribute to the spiritual, educational and social advancement of the Muslim community.

They are also expected to support initiatives promoting unity, youth development, education, welfare and sustainable development in Imodi-Ijebu.

Community targets ₦1bn for education, empowerment

A major attraction of the ceremony is the ambitious ₦1 billion fundraising initiative for education and empowerment, designed to strengthen human capital development in the community.

The initiative is expected to support educational opportunities, empower young people and create sustainable avenues for socio-economic advancement.

Beyond raising funds, the project underscores the community’s growing emphasis on investing in its people, particularly through education, skills development and empowerment programmes capable of producing long-term benefits.

A community with deep Islamic heritage

Imodi-Ijebu has a long-standing Islamic heritage, with Islamic scholarship, worship and education playing significant roles in the community’s development over the years.

The growth and sustenance of Islam in the area have been driven by the contributions of Imams, scholars, families and community leaders who have supported religious education, established institutions and promoted Islamic values.

The Muslim community has also continued to place emphasis on unity, moral development, education and service while maintaining strong ties with the wider Imodi-Ijebu community.

The Saturday ceremony is therefore expected to combine the preservation of that Islamic heritage with a renewed commitment to education, empowerment, leadership and community development.