The Amirul Mu’mineen of Nigeria and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, continued his official assignments in South West on Saturday with historic visit to the ancient community of Ikorodu in Lagos State, during which he commissioned Oriwu Central Mosque in the city.
Sultan Abubakar discusses with Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Olufemi Hamzat, 2nd left, while the Galadiman Gari of Sokoto, Alhaji Attahiru Aliyu, left, and former Minister of Mines and Steels Development and Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola, right, look with keen interest, shortly after the Sultan commissioned Oriwu Central Mosque, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Saturday 28th December 2019.
The Sultan, who was received by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Alhaji Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, in his palace at around 10.45am, had a brief closed door meeting with his royal host before he proceeded to newly completed Oriwu Central Mosque which he later commissioned.
The DEFENDER reports that the mosque is a project that took the builders 35 years to complete, not because of financial incapability but due to reasons having to do with community issues.
The joy in town Saturday was that the mosque success was coming during the time of the sitting Ayangburen, who only few years ago emerged Oba following the death of the late Sheikh Salaudeen Oyefusi, Oguntade II, the first Muslim king in Ikorodu history.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar was in his fourth day in South West having visited Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Islamic Vacation Course in Ibadan.
He was accompanied to Ikorodu by Sarki and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, represented by Waziri of Kano, Galadiman Geri of Sokoto, Alhaji Attahiru Aliyu, and Sarkin Yaki of Sokoto, Alhaji Kabiru Usman.
Others on the enntourage of the Sultan included former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola, and others.
Governor of Lagos State was represented by his Deputy,. Dr. Olufemi Hamzat, at the occasion that had the Emir of Ilorin represented by Chief Imam of Ilorin and guest lecturer, fiery Islamic preacher and Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Kano State Council, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello.
After the commissioning, the Sultan led Muslim faithful in Solatul Zuhr and was treated to a light reception before he departed the town at about 4.00pm.
The Ikorodu event marked, temporarily, the weeklong assignments of the Sultan in the North and South West, we learned.
From Left: Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu; Alhaji Yahya Oshoala, Chief Imam of Ikorodu; Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State; His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and Alhaji Muhideen Bello, Guest Lecturer, during the commissioning of Oriwu Central Mosque in Ikorodu on Saturday.
His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto (M) receiving the commissioned mosque photo frame from Alhaji Yahya Oshoala, The imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu (right) and Dr Ahmed Odoborisa, Chairman of the occassion during the commissioning of Oriwu Central Mosque in Ikorodu on Saturday.
From left: Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM; Mrs Usamat Yusuf, Hon Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Lagos State; Olori Kudirat Shotobi; Chief Mrs D A Ogundeji and Olori Kafayat Adeboruwa during the commissioning of Oriwu Central Mosque in Ikorodu on Saturday. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.
