By Richard Thomas
The Okanlomo Oodua World wide and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief (Engr.) Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has received the Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Imam Abdul-Ganiyy AbuBakr Agbotomokekere, alongside a delegation of distinguished Imams, Alfas and Islamic scholars from across Yorubaland.
The delegation, under the aegis of the Rabitatul-Aimmat Wal Ulamai Bilaadi Yoruba, otherwise known as the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, paid a courtesy visit to Chief Sanusi as part of preparations for the forthcoming Yorubaland Muslim Conference, Ibadan 2026, scheduled to hold in November.
Speaking on the visit, Chief Sanusi described the engagement as a significant opportunity to deepen dialogue and strengthen relationships between religious and community leaders across Yorubaland.
He said the meeting went beyond the formal invitation to the conference, providing an avenue for meaningful discussions on issues capable of promoting peace, unity, education, moral leadership, youth development and the strengthening religious and community institutions.
Chief Sanusi, who is also the Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, expressed appreciation to the Islamic scholars for recognising the importance of collaboration among religious, traditional and community leaders in building a peaceful, progressive and inclusive society.
He noted that religious leaders have a crucial role to play in shaping the moral character of society, particularly by providing guidance to young people and promoting peaceful coexistence among people of different backgrounds.
According to him, the challenges confronting society require collective efforts and constructive engagement among stakeholders, stressing that religious institutions remain important partners in the quest for peace, stability and sustainable development.
Chief Sanusi reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote unity, peaceful coexistence, education, youth empowerment and the overall wellbeing of the people.
He said initiatives that bring people together for dialogue, reflection and the exchange of ideas deserve the support and encouragement of all stakeholders, particularly when such platforms are designed to address issues affecting communities and promote peaceful coexistence.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Imam Abdul-Ganiyy AbuBakr Agbotomokekere, alongside a delegation of distinguished Imams, Alfas and Islamic scholars from across Yorubaland..
”Beyond the invitation to the conference, our engagement will provide an important opportunity to discuss the values that bind us together; peace, unity, education, moral leadership, youth development and the strengthening of our religious and community institutions.
“I appreciate the Islamic scholars for recognising the importance of collaboration between religious and community leaders in building a peaceful, progressive and inclusive society.
‘I reaffirmed my commitment to supporting initiatives that promote unity, peaceful coexistence, education, youth empowerment and the overall wellbeing of our people.
“May Allah grant the organisers wisdom and make the conference a resounding success, he added.
The Okanlomo Oodua World wide commended the organisers of the Yorubaland Muslim Conference for their initiative of bringing together Muslim leaders, scholars and stakeholders from across Yorubaland.
He expressed confidence that the November conference would provide a meaningful platform for dialogue and collective action on issues affecting the Muslim community and society at large.
“I commend the organisers for bringing together Muslim leaders from across Yorubaland. I am confident that the November conference will provide a meaningful platform for dialogue, reflection and collective action on issues affecting our Muslim community and society at large.
Chief Sanusi also emphasized the importance of education and youth development, noting that young people constitute an important component of the future of the society and must therefore be given the necessary guidance, education, skills and opportunities to contribute positively to their communities.
He said religious and community institutions could make significant contributions to youth development by providing moral guidance, mentorship and platforms through which young people could develop their talents and acquire useful knowledge.
He further stressed that peace and unity remained essential ingredients for development, urging religious leaders and other stakeholders to continue to promote tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Chief Sanusi said Ibadan, as a historic and cosmopolitan city, had continued to provide a conducive environment for dialogue, interaction and purposeful engagement among people of different backgrounds.
He expressed his readiness to continue supporting initiatives capable of strengthening the bonds of unity among the people while promoting the cultural, social, religious and economic development of Yorubaland.
Sanusi prayed for wisdom, guidance and divine favour for the organisers of the conference, expressing the hope that the gathering would achieve its objectives and produce meaningful outcomes for the Muslim community and society as a whole.
He said: “I appreciate the Islamic scholars for recognising the importance of collaboration between religious and community leaders in building a peaceful, progressive and inclusive society.
“I reaffirmed my commitment to supporting initiatives that promote unity, peaceful coexistence, education, youth empowerment and the overall wellbeing of our people.
“I commend the organisers for bringing together Muslim leaders from across Yorubaland. I am confident that the November conference will provide a meaningful platform for dialogue, reflection and collective action on issues affecting our Muslim community and society at large.”
He prayed that Allah would grant the organisers the wisdom and strength required to make the conference a resounding success.
Sanusi reiterated that Ibadan would continue to remain a home for dialogue, unity and purposeful engagement, stressing that peaceful interaction among religious and community leaders was essential to the progress and stability of society.
The visit further underscored the growing importance of collaboration among religious leaders, traditional institutions and community stakeholders in addressing contemporary challenges and promoting peaceful coexistence across Yorubaland.
