A New Era Beckons As Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole Becomes Baba Adini Of Osun

Hameed Oyegbade, Osogbo

The ancient town of Modakeke in Osun State was agog on Sunday, 25 February, 2024 when the League of Imams and Alfas in Osun State turbaned a prominent Muslim and illustrious son of Modakeke, Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole as the Baba Adini of Osun State.

Imams and Alfas from the thirty local governments and the modakeke area office, Muslim leaders and clerics from all parts of Osun State, led by the Grand Imam of Osun State, Sheikh Musa Animasahun converged at the Modakeke Central Mosque for the turbaning ceremony.

His friends, associates, family members and indigenes of Modakeke thronged the venue to honour Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole.

The Osun State Muslim Community under the leadership of Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi was led to the event by the Vice President of OSMC, Alhaji Sadiq Bello.

Members of Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Osun State chapter under the leadership of Alhaji Sadist Oladapo also stormed the the event in large numbers.

The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Chief Khamis Olatunde Badmus who was unavoidably absent was represented by a team of distinguished personalities led by the Baba Adini of Osogbo, Alhaji Lai Busari.

Members of the Modakeke branch of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by their President, Rev Debo Babalola and the presiding pastor of Holy Saviors Gospel Mission International, Alapata, Modakeke, Rev Dr Olowookere Oluwadamilare John JP were also at the event.

Traditional rulers including the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Tortola, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi and the Akire-Ile of Ikire-Ile, Oba Abdulazeez Olatunbosun Adebamiji also graced the occasion.

Delegates from the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo include a high chief and the most senior Olori backed with the traditional staff of office.

The Alasipa of Asipa, Oba Mufutau Oyekanmi also attended the occasion.

Other prominent personalities at the event include Chief Benjamin Ajani Adeyemi, the Babalaje of Modakeke, Justice Kunle Adeigbe (rtd) the Chief Imam of Ife, Sheikh Abdulsaamii Abdulhamid Muhammadur Raji, the Chief Imam of Ejigbo among others.

At the event were captains of industries including Otunba Kazeeem Odeyeyiwa, Hajj Daud Adetunji Asalu, Alaja Fasilat Shitu popularly known as Mama Hamed and President of Hillrich Polytechnic, Modakeke, Otunba Abiola Oloke.

Intellectuals at the event include Emeritus Prof Muiz and Lateeefat Durosinmi, Prof and Mrs Yisa kehinde Yussuf, Justice Sikiru Oke, the Giwa Adini of Osun and Hajj Chief Kamoru Oke, the Osupa Adeen of Osun state.

In his lecture, the Mufasir of Osogbo, Sheikh Abdullateef Abajaoro sought views of various categories of people at the gathering on their perception of Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole as part of condition to qualify him for the exalted tittle of Baba Adini.

In their response, all the respondents affirmed that he is worthy of the title.

The Deputy Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Maruf Isola and other top scholars decorated and turbaned Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole amidst joy and celebration.

This was followed by presentation of certificate to him by Sheikh Musa Animasahun, the grand Imama of Osun State.

Flanked by his wife, Alhaji Mujidat Dasola Kolawole, the new Baba Adini radiated immense joy.

In his remarks, the Baba Adini of Osun State, Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole expressed gratitude to Allah for his mercy and blessings and then thanked the Muslim Ummah in Osun State for finding him worthy of the title and pledged to do more in service to humanity and Islam.

His words “Today, I am especially grateful to Almighty Allah for providing this noble opportunity for us all to converge here, under the umbrella of the Ummah, to celebrate the Deen of Islam. I am also grateful to my dear parents for setting on me the path of the religion. May Almighty Allah be merciful to them as they were merciful to me when I was young. Moreover, I appreciate very profound member of the family for creating a conducive environment for me to practise the faith.

“I am most sincerely grateful to the distinguished league of Imams and Alfas for finding me worthy of being conferred with the remarkably elevated position of Baba Adini of Osun State. It is with immense joy that I receive and accept this uncommon honour. Let me appreciate my wife, my friends, associates, and acquaintances who have contributed one way or the other to the success of this event. Islam is a profoundly logical faith which keeps calling on its adherents to apply reason. It is also a deeply spiritual religion which establishes a very direct connection between Allah and each adherent.

“The Baba Adini described Islam as a very practical faith which provides detailed guidelines on everyday affairs, including, for example, the ideal number of months of breastfeed a new baby.

“As Muslims, we should uphold these virtues in all that we do. As Nigeria is now going through difficult times, as it is happening currently in very many parts of the world, it is important to remember that we all have a role to play in bringing about relief. Let us remember that to love of our country, our states, and our different communities or origin is part of worship in Islam”, he said.

“Let us therefore at all times make effort to make them habitations of peace, comfort, and prosperity. Let us show concern for the poor and vulnerable and let us join hands with others who are working to bring about relief. Let us, above all, remember that as the Qur’an Chapter 94, verses 5 and 6, assure us “Verily, with every hardship comes ease.” (Fa inna ma’a alusri yusraa, Inna ma’a alusri Yusraa) Lagbara ogo Olorun, ohun ti o to n bo wa seku.”

“In accepting, with great gratitude, the grand honour that you have done me today, please permit me to remind us of all of the giants strides that Muslims of the past took to make sure that access to education was enhanced. You all know that education is as important route out of poverty. It enhances wellbeing, and gives people a significant sense of self-worth, a respectable voice and social relevance. In this regard, let me commend Islamic groups like the Ansar-u-deen Society of Nigeria and more recently the world-famous Nasrul-Lahi-II-Faith Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) for the wonderful job they have done and are still doing on education of the Ummah. In our different ways, let us all join these noble efforts in creating an increasingly educated Ummah.”

Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole noted that Nigeria is a multi-religious state and appealed to adherents of the different religion to co-exist in peace and harmony.

Quoting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) October 2005 convention, he said “cultural diversity creates a rich and varied world, which increases the range of choices and nurtures human capacities and values, and therefore is a mainspring for sustainable development for communities, peoples and nations’. The convention further recognised the need to take measures to protect the diversity of cultural expressions.”

He noted that these values are consistent with different provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

He said these underscored the importance of religious freedom and religious tolerance.

“Please, permit me to strongly appeal to the federal government and all states to provide free and qualitative basic education (nine years) to all children and enforce the child rights law that states that parents should send their children of school age to school. Doing otherwise means that erring parents risk being punished by fine or jail term.

“Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole appealled to financially endowed individuals in the state to always provide succour and support for the less privileged. He said the seed sow in the education sector is particularly important with a high potential for bearing fruits of prosperity and fulfilment in the nearest future.

“My dear Ummah of Rasulullah, I wish to invite you all to work together in unity and a sharply focused manner to protect the interests of Islam always. Let us also reflect the beautiful vales of the religion in our lives all the time. May Almighty All accept every bit of our efforts as an act of ibadah and reward us all abundantly”, He said.

Meanwhile, with the turbaning of Dr Fatai Adesina Kolawole as the Baba Adini of Osun State, no doubt, it is the beginning of a new era that would usher in great things among Muslims in the state.

Hameed Oyegbade, Public Relations Officer of Osun State Muslim Community write from Osogbo