*As Aregbesola describes Sarikin Mu’mineen of Nigeria as epitome of best in human character
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday, commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for what he called his commitment to the development of humanity regardless of socio-economic, political and religious differences.
Sultan Abubakar, who was in Osogbo ahead of a reception on Sunday organised by the Osun State Muslim Community in honour of his Deputy President-General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affair (NSCIA) Alhaji Sakariyau Babalola, said gave Governor Aregbesola a pat on the back as he described him as symbol of unification whose leadership had demonstrated high sense of fairness to religious organisations in the state.
In a statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar, who doubles as the President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), made the commendation during his courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Government House, Osogbo.
In the Bureau’s statement signed by the Director, Semiu Okanlawon, the Sultan was quoted as saying that Governor Aregbesola had extremely demonstrated to the world the sterling quality expected from whoever holds the office of the Governor.
Alhaji Abubakar lauded the leadership of the state for hitting the ground running in spite of the challenges confronting the country, said the spate of the developments across the state was a clear manifestation of good governance.
The leader of Muslim Ummah of Nigeria hinted that the purpose of the visit was to further entrench the relative peace, unity and love among Nigerians which according to him remains the only channel to national growth and development.
He applauded the governor for playing active role in propagating peaceful cohabitation between and among the existing religions in the state.
The Sultan said, “I must acknowledge your commitment in promoting unity among the various religious organisations in the state as this is in line with our cardinal objective of ensuring a peaceful nation.
“We are glad that you are using your position to effect change in promoting and propagating unity in the state and beyond”, he said.
According to him, the visit to Osun is to further demonstrate the commitment of the Muslim community to national growth and development.
He added, “This visit makes the 6th time of my being in Osun and we are here in large number as one family under the umbrella of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs which is the apex body for Muslims in Nigeria to further register our determination to unity, peace and tranquility of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The primary objective of the Council is to ensure peace, unity and stability not only among Muslims but also within other religious organisations.
“So, as we are working assiduously to solidify the unity and peaceful coexistence between and among the various religious organisations in the country, we are equally determined to portray to the world that the religion of Islam connotes peace and unity.”
Alhaji Abubakar stressed the need for Muslims across the country to continue to demonstrate leadership by example as being exemplified by the Prophet.
He said the Council would continue to display exemplary leadership quality in promoting the virtues of unity, peace and love among the citizenry in the country.
In his remarks, the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, commended the leadership quality of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs for being the bulwark for unity and peace in Nigeria.
Governor Aregbesola said the impacts of the Council had been felt tremendously in engendering peace, unity, love and togetherness of humanity along religious lines.
Describing the Sultan of Sokoto as an epitome of the best in human character, Governor Aregbesola said the role played by the number one Muslim in the country towards the promotion of unity in the diversity nature of the country would forever be applauded.
According to Aregbesola, “I am very glad to receive the apex Islamic group in Nigeria just as I am delighted in the fact that the Council had played a significant role in promoting peace and unity not only in Nigeria but in the whole world.”
