Gbadamosi takes charge of MUSCOYS, promises education drive, Zakat, Sadaqah for poverty reduction

Jeremiah Adeshina

Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has inaugurated a new executive to pilot the affairs of the Muslim community in the state for the next three years, with the newly inaugurated Chairman, Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, unveiling an agenda centred on education, Zakat, Sadaqah, poverty reduction and improved social welfare.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Sunday, at the MUSCOYS Secretariat in Ibadan, attracted prominent Muslim leaders, Islamic scholars, community stakeholders and members of the Muslim Ummah.

The new administration is expected to build on the achievements of the outgoing executive while introducing initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of Muslims, strengthening Islamic unity and contributing to the development of Oyo State.

Gbadamosi emerged as Chairman of the new executive and is expected to lead the organisation through the implementation of its programmes and initiatives during the three-year tenure.

Other members of the executive inaugurated alongside him include Alhaji Lawal Olalere, Deputy Chairman; Alhaji Olasupo Abubakri Adeyemi; Dr AbdulAkeem Ayoade Raji; Khalifa Quadri Olohunlolowo; Daud Salaudeen Bibire; Alhaji Najeemdeen Morawo; and Dr Amzat Mumuni, who will serve as Vice Chairmen.

The administrative team comprises Professor Taofeeq Yekinni, Secretary General; Dr Jimoh Wasiu Ademola, Deputy Secretary General; Bro. Dawood Mansour; Bro. Belawu Yinusa Olanrewaju; Musibau Wasiu Moyosore; Adesokan Teslim Oyewunmi; Bello Sirajudeen Adewale; and Salami Lasisi Adebayo, all of whom were inaugurated as Assistant Secretaries General.

Also inaugurated were Adesokan Isiaka Ayokomi, Treasurer; Sanni Risikat Adebola, Assistant Treasurer; Ojebisi Mujidat Folashade, Assistant Financial Secretary; Maruff Olabamiji Yusuf, Public Relations Officer; Alimi Yusau Ayotunde, Welfare Officer; Wasiu Akorede Lamidi, Legal Officer; and Imam Abdul-Jelil A. A. Olajori, Da’wah Officer.

The Ex-Officio Members are Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade and Tajudeen Adeniji.

Dr Olayide Mojeed Ladipupo was also inaugurated as Chairman of the Management Board of the Oyo State Muslim Hospital, Ibadan, while Alhaja Nusirat Bakare was inaugurated as a member of the hospital’s Management Board.

The ceremony was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Wole Abass; the Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akewugberu; Baba Isale Musulumi of Oyo State, Chief Nureni Akanbi; and the outgoing MUSCOYS Chairman, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni, among other dignitaries.

Leadership is a trust, not an avenue for wealth accumulation — Oladosu

The guest lecturer at the event, Professor Afeez Oladosu, former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan and Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, charged leaders to regard positions of authority as opportunities to serve God and humanity rather than avenues for personal enrichment.

Oladosu particularly urged political and community leaders to uphold integrity and accountability, warning against the use of public positions for the illegal accumulation of wealth.

He also called on political office seekers ahead of the forthcoming general elections to remember that leadership is a trust and that those entrusted with public responsibilities would ultimately be held accountable for their actions.

According to him, leadership should be deployed towards improving the lives of the people, particularly the less privileged and vulnerable members of society.

“In my presentation, I told the gathering that all of us will account for our deeds. We should see positions of authority as service to God and humanity, and not service to ourselves. We should use the opportunity to connect with the less privileged,” he said.

The Islamic scholar commended the outgoing MUSCOYS administration for its achievements and urged the newly inaugurated executive to consolidate and improve upon the foundation already laid.

He maintained that political and community leadership should be measured by the positive impact it has on society, rather than the material benefits derived by those occupying positions of authority.

Oladosu further urged leaders across the country to see public office as an opportunity to serve Nigerians, promote development and improve the welfare of citizens.

Gbadamosi pledges education intervention

In his inaugural address, the new MUSCOYS Chairman, Gbadamosi, identified education as one of the key priorities of his administration.

He disclosed that the organisation would liaise with the Oyo State Government on ways of improving the condition of public schools across the state.

According to him, investment in public education is an investment in the future of the younger generation and could also help tackle some of the social challenges confronting society.

“Most importantly, I said that we will liaise with the government to improve the condition of public schools in Oyo State, because if we improve the condition of schools, we are saving the future,” Gbadamosi stated.

He explained that the initiative would be pursued through constructive engagement with relevant government authorities and stakeholders, with the objective of contributing to improved learning conditions for children across the state.

Zakat, Sadaqah to Drive Poverty Reduction
Another major component of the new administration’s agenda is the mobilisation of Zakat and Sadaqah to support vulnerable members of the Muslim community and contribute to poverty reduction.

Gbadamosi said his administration would encourage Muslims across Oyo State to embrace the payment of Zakat and giving of Sadaqah, with the resources channelled towards people genuinely in need.

He described the initiative as requiring sustained mobilisation, enlightenment and encouragement to ensure that more members of the Ummah participate.

The approach, he indicated, would strengthen the community’s capacity to respond to poverty and social needs while complementing existing welfare efforts.

The initiative is expected to form part of the administration’s broader social intervention strategy aimed at supporting vulnerable families and promoting greater economic inclusion within the community.

MUSCOYS Honours Outstanding Personalities
The inauguration ceremony also featured the presentation of awards to personalities recognised for their selfless service, commitment and contributions to the Muslim community and society.

The award recipients were Alhaji Waheed Amoo, Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, Professor Adewale Musa Olomu and Alhaji Yekeen Balogun.

The recognition was part of the activities marking the occasion and was aimed at celebrating individuals whose contributions have positively impacted the community.

Akewugberu hails Muslim unity

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akewugberu, described the inauguration as a significant development in the effort to strengthen unity among Muslims in Oyo State.

Akewugberu said the coming together of Muslims under the platform of MUSCOYS represented a renewed awakening of Islamic consciousness in the state and had the potential to produce positive results for the wider Muslim community in the Southwest.

“Alhamdulillah, it is a reawakening process that is promoting a renaissance of Islamic consciousness within the fold of the Ummah in Oyo State in particular and, by extension, in the entire Southwest Ummah,” he said.

He prayed for divine guidance, wisdom and success for the new leadership, while also seeking God’s acceptance of the efforts and supplications of the Muslim community.

The inauguration marked the beginning of a new three-year administration of MUSCOYS under the leadership of Gbadamosi.

With education, Zakat, Sadaqah, poverty reduction, social welfare and Muslim unity identified as major priorities, the new administration is expected to deepen its engagement with the Oyo State Government and other stakeholders while strengthening programmes that directly impact members of the Muslim community.

The new leadership will also have the task of sustaining the unity of the Ummah, building on the achievements of its predecessors and translating its stated agenda into practical programmes capable of improving the welfare and development of Muslims and the wider society.