THE Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has commended the ruling of the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy of local Governments in the country and appealed to all stakeholders to make the full implementation of the autonomy realisable.
The council gave the commendation in a communique issued after its general meeting held on Sunday in Ijebu Ode.
The communiqué signed by the MOC Secretary-General, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, commended the President Bola Tinubu administration for facilitating the financial independence of the local governments and its implementation.
The OMC noted the efforts of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) in the conduct of the November 16, 2024 local government election in Ogun State and urged the commission to improve on identified areas in order to make future elections more acceptable.
It called on the elected chairmen of the 20 local governments in the state to ensure religious balance and prioritise fairness, equity and balanced representation of all interests.
The council urged Muslims to be active participants in the governance of Ogun State and Nigeria, promising to support Muslims who show interest in politics to develop the state and the country.
The OMC inaugurated five committees on education, Islamic affairs, finance, public affairs and general purpose, whose members cut across the four divisions and zones of the state—Egba, Ijebu, Remo and Yewa.
While inaugurating the committee, the Secretary General of the OMC, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, explained that the committees will serve as the platform for the initiation and execution of the progranmes and projects of the council towards the realisation of its vision and mission.
Speaking on behalf of other members of the committees, the chairman of the Education Committee and chairman of the Muslim Community of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Professor Mikail Lasun Gbadamosi, promised to discharge the duties as expected.
The meeting also noted the efforts of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria on promoting the well-being and financial empowerment of Muslims in Ogun State.
While commending the Federal Government on its effort to reform and harmonise multiple taxes in Nigeria, the OMC implored all stakeholders and interest groups to exercise caution and protect all interests in the passage and implementation of the proposed bill.
The council also commended the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for its accountability and transparency in the administration of funds returned to Nigerian pilgrims by the Saudi Arabian authorities for services not rendered.
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