The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar and the Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, are among eminent personalities expected to grace the ninth annual General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) slated for Sunday at the Islamic Centre, University of Ibadan.
MUSWEN President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, who announced this on Friday in Ibadan at a press conference that formed part of activities to herald the General Assembly, named the helmsmen of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Osun states as the host-governors of the event that will start by 11am.
Oladejo, who is the Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA, noted that the organisation had attained some modest achievements since its inception in 2008, which we intend to take higher in the coming years.”
He highlighted the focal points of the organisation to include zero tolerance for out-of-school children, economic empowerment and poverty alleviation and provision of bursary and scholarship awards to Muslim students up to PhD level.
“MUSWEN, as the umbrella body for all Muslims in the six southwestern states, has been bridging the gap between the rich and the needy, ensuring good health and wellbeing and collaborating with other Muslim bodies to make life better and fulfilled for Muslims, Oladejo noted.
According to him, Sundays event is divided into two parts, the formal opening, to which dignitaries have been invited from far and near, which will be a two-hour programme that will run from 11am to 1pm, and “the business session which is scheduled to run for one hour between 1pm and 2pm for delegates from the six South West states, Muslim organizations and designated individuals.
Meanwhile, during a special Jumaat service on Friday in respect of the forthcoming event, the Chief Imam, Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Alhaji Murtadha Kamaldeen, acknowledged the positive impacts of MUSWEN on Islamic progress in Yorubaland.
“MUSWEN is constantly discharging responsibilities to improve the society. We pray for the association for continued success in all its activities,” Alhaji Kamaldeen said.
As part of the activities lined up for the event, on Wednesday, leaders of MUSWEN paid a courtesy call on Governor Makinde in Ibadan and the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus, in Osogbo.
They also visited the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakri Agbotomokekere and his council at the Central Mosque, Ojaba, Ibadan.
The MUSWEN leaders will conclude the courtesy visits on Saturday at the Oke Aremo, Ibadan palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, where they will be paying homage to the traditional ruler.
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