*As Attah Orisagbemi dedicates 2016 Ayede Kingdom Founder’s Day to honouring Nigeria’s most influential traditional, religious leader
All is now set for the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III’s visit to Ayede Kingdom, Ekiti State.
A retired brigadier general of the Nigerian Army, Sultan Abubakar III’s visit to the Ekiti State’s strategically located kingdom, Ayede, will be a two-day official assignment to begin from Friday October 14 to Saturday October 15, 2016.
According to a press release signed by Chairman, Planning, Publicity and Contacts Committee of the event, Prince Bashir Adefaka, the nation’s number one monarch will be embarking on the first-of-its-kind trip to the kingdom in furtherance to his national peace, unity and development advocacy as, according to him, his host monarch, Attah and Paramount Ruler of Ayede Kingdom, Oba Alhaji Abdul-Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi has described Sultan’s visit to the kingdom as going to serve as beginning of a new era in the advocacy for peaceful co-existence and better understanding, religiously, politically and ethnically, among the diverse peoples of Nigeria.
The Sarkin Mu’mineen, who is noted globally as a monarch of exceptional pragmatism for his resilience and unrelenting efforts at ensuring peace and unity among Nigerians even in the face of security and economic challenges, is notably also Africa’s fourth most influential monarch and world’s 18th most influential Muslim leader.
Adefaka, who is also Member of the Sultan Media Team and Media and Publicity Consultant to the Attah of Ayede Kingdom, Ekiti State, said the Sultan, upon arrival via Akure Airport will be received by Attah Abdul-Mumini Orisagbemi assisted by the Deji of Akure Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and Alhaji S. O. Babalola among others. He will then move from the airport to Akure Central Mosque for a special Jumat Service to be led by the Grand Chief Imam of Akure Land, Sheikh (Dr.) Abdul-Hakeem Yayi Akorede and later have a brief stopover at the Palace of Deji of Akure before moving on to Ayede, Ekiti State.
On the list to join in receiving and honouring the Sultan during the visit include the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Guest Speaker), Governor of Oyo State, Senator Is-haq Abiola Ajimobi (Chairman), Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwwal (Keynote Speaker), Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose (Hosting Governor) and former Governor of Ekiti, Otunba Niyi Adebayo (Chief Host).
Others include the Emir of Zazzau Emirate of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris (CFR), Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the Iyaloja-General, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, former Minister of Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Deputy President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (South), Alhaji (Dr.) S. O. Babalola (OON), among others.
