By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Leader of Muslim Ummah of Nigeria and beyond, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on the sideline of his three-day official visit to Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Saturday November 17, 2018 received in audience the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle.
Deputy President General (South), NSCIA, Alhaji S. O. Babalola sitting right, and Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West (MUSWEN), Professor Daud Noibi, while Sultan Abubakar receives CAN President in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Saturday.
Alhaji Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, is President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Joining him to receive the Christian Leader were Deputy President General (South), NSCIA, Alhaji Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof. Daud Noibi, Chairman, NSCIA Ekiti State, Alhaji Yakubu Sanni, Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Galadiman Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, Sarikin Yaki Sokoto, Alhaji Kabiru Usman among others.
Accompanying the CAN President during the visit were top members of CAN executive and his aides like Rev. Testimony Onifade and Rev. Paul Jenfa.
During the meeting, the CAN President spoke about the love he has for the Sultan and presented him what he described as customised Bible, photo portrait and other ‘Christmas’ gifts.
Responding, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, a retired General of the Nigerian Army, was lively with Rev. Samson Ayokunle, who said his respect for and confidence in the ability of the Sultan as a true leader were never in doubt.
The Sarkin Musulumi started by formally introducing his Deputy in Southern Nigeria, for Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sakariyau Babalola to the CAN President. “Like I said, in the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, we have the two Deputy President Generals; the Shehu of Borno is for Northern Nigeria and Alhaji S. O. Babalola is for Southern Nigeria,” he said.
CAN President Samson Ayokunle explaining something about customised Bible to his host, Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, while the Sultan listens.
The Sultan said: “Ibadan is not new to me, even though I didn’t serve in Ibadan but I was always in the 2 Division of Nigeria Army and I have always taken Ibadan as my home like you said.
“While we are enjoying, we should remember those down there who are not in good state, by ensuring that we preach peace, love, unity and stability.
“I keep on saying the more we sit down together and dialogue we get to know one another and achieve our goal of a peaceful society, which we cannot achieve when we are at distance.
“That is why I keep saying we should not tolerate but understand one another. You tolerate when you don’t understand and love somebody but just have to tolerate him.,” he said.
The Muslim Leader did not conclude his remarks until he had promised a return visit to the CAN President.
CAN President Ayokunle and NSCIA President General, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, shakes hands during the presentation of a portrait by the visitor.
“I will revenge this visit by visiting you too in your own place,” the Sultan promised.
Speaking to The DEFENDER in an interview after meeting, the CAN President was emphasized that he had no reason to fight the Muslims.
He said his interest is peace of the country and its people.
He denied ever being behind any sponsored media war against Islam and Muslims and challenged those who reported him to have defended those who tried to block Army’s search over General Idris Alkali whereabouts to produce their evidence.
Watch out for detailed of the CAN President’s interview soon…
Galadima Sokoto Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, 2nd right, Sarikin Yaki Sokoto, Alhaji Kabir Usman, 2nd left, and CAN members during the visit.
Chairman, Oyo State Muslim Community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, right, and CAN officials during the visit.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, middle, flanked on his right by his visitor, CAN President Samson Ayokunle, Deputy President General (South), NSCIA, Alhaji S. O. Babalola, others, when the Ayokunle visited him in his lodge in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Saturday November 17, 2018.
