MULTIPLE BLESSINGS: Sultan of Sokoto congratulates Deji of Akure on appointments as Chancellor FUT Minna, Chairman, Ondo Council of Obas

By KEMI KASUMU

The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman, National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN), Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has congratulated the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, on his appointments, first by President Muhammadu Buhari as Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Minna and, second by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, among other achievements.

Describing the achievements as multiple blessings happening to the Deji almost at the same times, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who spoke through a statement issued and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka for the Sultan of Sokoto Media Team and dated Sunday 19 September, 2021, told the Ondo State monarch he called “my friend in Akure” that they could not have been possible without the help of God.

According to the statement, “The Sultan notes that many good things are happening to the Deji and his kingdom almost at the same time, from Federal to state appointments and other achievements that have lifted the face of the community.”

These, he said, can only be best described as sign that the Akure monarch has a destiny with success but also assures him that “all of these could not have been possible without the help of God”.

Noting, also, the good working relationship, which exists between the Sokoto Sultanate and the Akure Kingdom, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, who described the Deji as “my friend in Akure”, promised to be more supportive of the core Yoruba community.

He recalled the good memories of the Deji of Akure-led 21-man high-power delegation of 1 – 3 July, 2019, which included the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, and which visited the Sultan in Sokoto to invite him and secure his consent to, in turn, visit Akure as Guest Lecturer at the 2019 Ulefunta Annual Public Lecture with the topic, “Our Diversity, A Divine Gift And Blessing Untapped: Surmounting The Challenges Of The Management Of Diversity.”

Consequently, the Sultan, having accepted the invitation by the Deji, visited Akure on a two-day working visit that took place between Sunday 8 and Monday 9 September, 2019 during which he performed three major functions, first of which – on the day of arrival – was having interactive meeting with the kingdom’s senior traditional rulers and high chiefs in the Deji’s Palace.

Continuing the statement continued, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar also performed the function of addressing, listening and fielding questions from audience at another interactive section – same day of arrival – with the inter-religious community at the hall of St. David Cathedral, Ijomu, in the state capital and on then, on day two, went to deliver his lecture at Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)’s main auditorium before departing the state.

“These significant events, which had taken place, better illustrate the depth of mutual understanding and relationship between Sokoto Sultanate and Akure Kingdom, which not only that both of us have sustained but also, we have improved upon over the times.

“We assure the Deji of our continued support at all times, having worked closely with him since he became Deji,” Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar said in the Bashir Adefaka’s statement.

According to the Sultan, who is also Co-President, World Council of Religions for Peace headquartered in New York, the Deji of Akure’s role, as peace maker, effective conflict manager with straight commitment to peaceful co-existence among Nigerians of various religious and ethnic backgrounds resident in his traditional domain, is a clear display of excellent leadership by example, commendable patriotism and urged him to do more.

He congratulates the Deji, the entire Akure people, and the various classes of Obas in the state, who will now have the Deji at the helm of their affairs for the next two years, even as he calls on them to give the senior monarch the full support he requires to function effectively well with the government of the state for the good of all.

“He, however, advises the Deji Aladelusi to see all the multiple blessings that have come upon him as God’s doing and reciprocate the goodness of God towards him by being exceptionally good, patient and tolerant towards all categories of people under his paramountcy, for, in that is success assured, he says.

“The Sultan also called on the Deji to know that either as Deji, Chairman Ondo State Council of Obas or as Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Minna, he should always consult widely before taking major and important decisions and pray for God’s guidance to lead his way to doing what is right at all times,” Adefaka said.