League of Imams in Yorubaland holds a maiden conference, honoring Awujale as Amir-ul-Mulukin (Amīr-ul-Mulūk-il-Muslimīn of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States

Sahara Weekly The League of Imams and Alfas Yorubaland, Edo, and the Delta States will hold its maiden conference from Monday, October 7 to Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The Conference with the theme “Strengthening Islamic Unity and Progress in Yoruba Land” will also honor the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Kabiyesi Alayeluwa, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, as the first-ever Amirl-ul-Mulukin (*Amīr-ul-Mulūk-il-Muslimīn* of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States) of Yorubaland at an event that will hold at Awujale Palace, Ijebu Ode, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, by 2.00 pm.

The letter of award from the League of Imams and Alfas Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta reads in part: “We also acknowledge your tremendous contributions to the growth and development of Islam in Southwest Nigeria and other regions of the country. Your unwavering support for Arabic and Islamic education, scholarship, and community development has inspired generations. These contributions also manifested in the recent distribution of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to some Chief Imams in ljebuland, particularly the Grand Chief Imam of ljebuland, Shaykh Miftaudeen Gbadegesin Ayanbadejo.

“Your leadership has fostered interfaith harmony, promoting peace and understanding among diverse communities.

In recognition of your exemplary service to Islam and humanity, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States has decided to honor you with the prestigious title of Amir-ul- Mulukin (*Amīr-ul-Mulūk-il-Muslimīn* of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States) (Commander of the Muslim Kings) in Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States.

“This esteemed title reflects your status as a pillar and champion of Islamic values and a symbol of unity among Muslims.”

Awujale, the longest reigning first-class monarch in Nigeria, has accepted the title, and he is expected to be joined at the award ceremony by members of the Ijebu Traditional Council (IYC), representatives of the Regberegbe (Age-grade association), and other illustrious sons and daughters of Ijebuland.

Kwara State Is Witnessing An Increase In Fulanis Kidnapping Threats

~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

Sahara Weekly Reports That There are claims that residents of Obbo Ile, Isapa, Osi community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State are being terrorized by suspected Fulani kidnappers

Fulani individuals armed with AK47 rifles invade communities about every two days, kidnapping innocent residents, victims report, and local hunters and vigilantes are left to combat them due to insufficient support from state security forces.

The community head of Obbo Ile has urgently sought the intervention of the Kwara State government, reporting that tenants have occupied and seized control of their land, causing farmers to avoid their farms and market vendors to flee the area due to kidnapping threats.

The Joke called Kogi State House of Assembly

Last week, there was a funny news report that should bother all men and women of goodwill.

The Kogi State House of Assembly was reported to have called out the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for performing its constitutional duties.

The House of Assembly which had been silent since the scandalous corruption allegations against the former Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello broke, suddenly found its voice and instead of the lawmakers to intervene on the side of decency, the rule of law and justice, they went off track, dancing naked in the market square.

For people who swore to Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to defend the interest of the people of Kogi State, it was an antithesis of some sort to see them calling for the sack of the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

They hinged their ill-informed call on what they termed the invasion of the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge and an unfounded assassination attempt on the immediate past Governor, Yahaya Bello.

This action has added to the theatrics coming from Kogi State since the EFCC invited Yahaya Bello for questioning over an alleged N80 billion fraud.

Hardly had the dust raised by the N80 billion fraud settled when the news broke again that a fresh court summons has been issued over another alleged N110 million fraud against the same Yahaya Bello.

Now, imagine, if true, the number of healthcare centres, streets and roads that would have been fixed with over N190 billion!

One would have thought that since Kogi State has been in the news for the wrong reasons on account of the refusal of Yahaya Bello to honour EFCC’s invitation and several court summons, the lawmakers would have urged him to save the state the bad press and needless embarrassment and turn himself in.

In saner climes, the lawmakers would have waded in on the side of decency, accountability, equity and justice; after all, it is said that he who seeks equity must do equity.

The lawmakers cannot be calling out the EFCC without urging Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo to obey several court summons; after all, action and reaction are said to be equal and opposite.

If Yahaya Bello does not have anything to hide, he should be more than willing to have his day in court and clear himself and his name; once and for all.

It is incumbent on the lawmakers and his successor, Governor Usman Ododo to encourage him (Bello) to turn himself in without further delay.

It is shameful that Governor Ododo is lending the weight and paraphernalia of his office and position to frustrate the institutions of state from doing their constitutionally guaranteed roles.

The lawmakers should look inwards, retrace their steps and prevail on ex-Govenor Bello to be man enough to turn himself in, obey the court summons and have his day in court. This is the only way the Kogi State House of Assembly can redeem itself from the joke that it has become.