By Suleiman Shehu
The Supreme Council for Islamic Preachers South West Nigeria has conferred Gov.Seyi Makinde of Oyo State with the title of Aare Atayese of Yorubaland.
The Council National Chairman, Alhaji Taofik Akeugbagold conferred Makinde with the tittle during the inauguration of Adogba Mosque, Iwo road, by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III on Thursday in Ibadan.
The Sultan, was accompanied by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola and other notable Islamic scholars.
Conferring him with the title, Akeugbagold said that Makinde deserved the title as a result of his love for Muslims and other religion.
He commended the governor for fulfilling his promise of rebuilding the Mosque earlier demolished by Makinde’s administration to pave way for the construction of a bus terminal at Iwo road.
“If all Muslims can be doing the way Makinde did, the society will be peaceful for all to live.
“We want Muslims too to reciprocate the gesture to Christians side.
“When a Christian do good to we Muslims, we should try and look back to what we can also do to the Christians in order to promote peace and love among all religion,’ Akeugbagold said.
He said the council decided to conferred the governor with the title in order to encourage others in the society to emulate him.
Makinde in his speech at the occasion assured all residents of the state that they would get whatever belongs to them, irrespective of their religious affiliations or wherever they come from.
“The growth and economic development of the state remains a priority for my administration.
“My government will continue to embark on infrastructural projects to enhance the socio-economic development of the state,” Makinde said.
The Oyo State Deputy Governor,Bayo Lawal was honoured has the most outstanding Muslim Deputy Governor.
While Shekh Muyideen Bello was conferred as the King of all Muslim Preacher in Yorubaland. (Sulton-L-Wahizeer)
