Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, the President, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has declared the organisation’s support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
He told newsmen on the sideline of the 7th General Assembly of MUSWEN held at the Islamic Centre, University of Ibadan.
MUSWEN at the event, presented bursary awards to 115 successful beneficiaries drawn from across the south-west states.
Oladejo said that their support for Tinubu alongside others was not based on his religious affiliations, but competence as well as track records.
“MUSWEN has already made its intention known. We are supporting Tinubu to become president. Our support for Tinubu is based on his competence and track records.
“We can all see his performance as governor of Lagos State and the state till date remained the number one most viable state in Nigeria with lots of innovations,” he said.
He said that the choice of Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate was just a coincidence, urging the people to vote enmasse for Tinubu in the general election.
Speaking on the bursary award, he said that bursary awards was presented to 115 beneficiaries as the first under his administration.
Oladejo expressed hope that the figure of beneficiaries would be double in 2023, saying education was perhaps the foremost of all hurdles before Nigerian Muslims today.
“It cannot be overemphasised that education is the master key to overcome poverty. It is only through education that our young men and women could acquire skills needed to enhance their employment opportunities.
“I wish to assure you that MUSWEN will continue to focus on education/scholarship programme including supporting entrepreneurship/empowering projects such as job placement and support for startups,” he said.
Dr Habibat Adubiaro, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, enjoined Muslims across the country, particularly women to participate actively in politics.
Adubiaro said that participating in politics would avail them opportunities to contribute to national growth and development.
She enjoined all to exercise their franchise by voting enmasse for Tinubu and other candidates of their choice in the general election.
Prince Bola Ajibola, the MUSWEN Board of Trustees(BOT) Chairman, commended the efforts of the Presidency and other organs of MUSWEN for their cooperation in working for the unity, welfare and progress of our ummah.
Ajibola expressed gladness that MUSWEN had been successful in reaching out to increasing number of corporate as well as individual stakeholders within the ummah and beyond.
According to him, there is no doubt about the fact that this is surely the best way to further strengthen the organisation for the benefit of the ummah.”
He urged all to always remember the place of gratitude to Allah in their lives, both as individuals and as groups.
MUSWEN is the umbrella body for Muslims in the six states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo in South West Nigeria.
It embraced all Islamic organisations, NGOs, League of Imams and Alfas; Muslim Traditional and Community Leaders; Title Holders, Muslim Intellectuals, Professionals, Business People, Women and Youth.
MUSWEN is one of the main components of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and serves as the coordinating body for the office of the Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA.