Nigerians have been charged to continue to live in harmony and maintain peaceful coexistence regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliations.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, made the call during a courtesy visit to the pioneer President of Muslim Ummah Southwest Nigeria, Rtd. Justice Sheu Tijani Bolarinwa Babalakin, in his country home, Gbongan , Osun state.
The Sultan maintained that there was the need for people of the country to live in peace saying as Nigerians we are all one.
His words: “We need to stay together and work for the sake of humanity”.
Commending the former Supreme Court judge, Alhaji Abubakar said Justice Babalakin has contributed his own quota to the development of Islam and Nigeria as a whole .
“We give thanks to Almighty Allah for making today a reality. This visit has been in the pipeline for so long but man proposes God disposes.”
“Justice Babalakin has paid his due and he has contributed his own quota to the development of Islam and Nigeria at large.”
Justice Babalakin is a true religious leader. and the pioneer president of MUSWEN. We are in the South western part of the country to celebrate ten years anniversary of MUSWEN and deemed it necessary to pay Justice Babalakin a visit as the pioneer president.
Welcoming Sultan Abubakar, Justice Babalakin appreciated the president Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs for the support he gave to him when he was the President of MUSWEN
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you to my humble abode in Gbongan Osun State of Nigeria. I regard it a great privilege that you considered me worthy of a private visit. I pray fervently that the Almighty Allah will continue to guide you aright in the discharge of your onerous responsibilities.
“I want to specifically thank you for the great efforts you have made in uniting the Muslim Community in the whole of Nigeria. Your leadership in this area has been remarkable and must be appreciated.
“I am particularly happy that you managed to resolve an issue that had divided the Ummah for a long time which was, irregular celebration of Eid-il-Kabir. From time in memorial, we have been celebrating this festival on different dates. Since you came to the throne, we have been celebrating this event on the same day. This has enhanced the unity amongst the Muslim Community.
“I also want to thank you specifically for the support you gave me throughout my tenure as the President of the Muslim Community of South-Western Nigeria (MUSWEN). Your support added to the impetus of the society and was a great encouragement to us all. I am also informed that you have continued to provide this support to my successor. It has also come to my knowledge that you will be the guest of honour at the 10th Anniversary of MUSWEN holding in Ibadan on Sunday the 18th of November 2018.
“Your Eminence, I crave your indulgence to communicate to you one of the guiding philosophies of my life;
“Youth is blunder; Manhood is a struggle, Old Age is regret. Beauty fades, Opportunity vanishes and Riches put wings to themselves and fly away. The only quality of man that endures, is his Character.
“I urge all men both great and small to allow these few words as a guide to their actions. I thank everybody that has found time to come and receive your eminence at my residence.” Babalakin concluded
ENDS
