Sultan, Oluwo, preach love, unity

—as Sultan commissions mosque in Iwo

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, on Sunday March 27, 2016 insisted that only love can make Nigeria move forward.

The duo made the statement during the official commissioning of the Wings Schools Central Mosque, Iwo, Osun state.

Sultan of Sokoto, who also attributed absence of love to the attribution of religion to people’s behaviour, said that religion should not be hold responsible for people’s action.

Sultan explained that human behaviour does not represent his religion doctrine, adding that Islam should not be hold responsible for Muslims action.

He urged the Muslims to love their neighbours irrespective of political or religion differences as established in the Holy Quran.

Oba Akanbi charged Muslims across the globe to always centre their preaching of Jihad on love.

The Oluwo who argued that centering of Islamic preaching on Jihad of punishment and killing has caused a lot of setback, segregation and disharmony among the Muslim faithful in the country, saying it was only Jihad of love that could promote peace across the world.

While charging Muslims and non Muslims on the need for them to be tolerant Oluwo said, only love can make the country move forward.

Speaking on his achievements since ascended the throne, the foremost traditional ruler explained that arrangements have been concluded to equip the new hospital in Iwo with modern equipment from Canada, stressing that he is committed to bringing sport competition back to the town.

He said plans are ongoing to facilitate the study centre of National Open University, NOUN, noting that many successes have been recorded since his inception in the last two months.

A Chieftain of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, said that the choice of Sultan to commission the mosque was to further cement relationship of South and Northern part of the country.

Ogundokun said the coming of Sultan during this time of political differences which is being preached unjustly by some people, will further explain the need for cooperation with the federal and state government.

He however appealed to Nigerians to develop spirit of endurance and abandon tribal sentiment.

The founder of The Wings Schools, Iwo, Prof Lai Olurode, advocated the need for better understanding and promotion of knowledge as well as more dialogue between religions.

Prof Olurode who is the former INEC National Commissioner, urged the people to show practical commitment to the promotion of cultural literacy, saying “humanity should transcend ethno-religious barrier while we struggle to retain our diverse identities.