By Kehinde Aderemi
The Chief Imam of Awujoola Central Mosque Oyo, Sheikh Ahmad Hamzat, As Oba Rashidi Ladoja has appealed to the newly-crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland,
Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to use his wealth of experience, knowledge and exposure to transform Ibadanland.
Sheikh Hamzat made the appeal yesterday during the Jumat sermon held at Awujoola Central Mosque, Saabo, Oyo.
Speaking on the role of traditional rulers in national development, the cleric said it was good that many of the traditional rulers being installed as Obas in Yoruba land in recent times are educated and exposed.
He stated that their wealth of experience would help in their decision-making and hoped that would translate to making the lives of their subjects better.
Sheikh Hamzat cited verses of the Holy Quran to support his expectations, and urged traditional rulers to use their exalted positions to promote the will of Allah for mankind.
“Kabiyesi Alaafin Akeem Owoade is just less than six months on the throne of his forebears; Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, is almost a year on the throne, and today, Oba Rashidi Ladoja officially became the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan land.
“These three prominent Obas and many others in Yoruba land have got the necessary education and exposure that are needed to make their respective towns better.
“I am appealing to them to fear Allah by seeing themselves as messengers of Allah on earth and as fathers of their subjects, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
“Prophet Muhammad remains the symbol of peace in Islam. An Oba can practise Islam purely without changing his role as a traditional ruler.
“The life of a traditional ruler is a life of service to Allah and to humanity.”
He noted that although theirs is a traditional stool, their roles are key to the progress and development of their respective towns.”
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