Olowu, Muslim scholars, other great personalities grace event
*Baba Adinni means doing good all the time: Oba Matemilola
*Why we are turbaning only Baba Adinni title holder: Committee
*A committed Muslim, man of great impact — Friends salute new Baba Adinni
The Olowu of Owu Kingdom in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, has emphasised the importance of sincerity in contributing to the development of people and society.
The first class monarch made this statement during the turbaning and installation ceremony of Alhaji (Dr.) Ismail Akindele, the Chief Executive Officer of Courteville Business Solutions, a leading global innovation company, held on Monday at Owu Central Mosque, Abeokuta.
Despite Monday being a very busy work day in this part of the world as the first day of resumption in many organisations, many of the honouree’s friends, including corporate and business leaders, Islamic scholars in Abeokuta and the entire Ogun State, turned up for the event.
In his remarks at the event, the newly installed Baba Adinni appreciated the Olowu and other guests for attending his turbaning ceremony despite their tight schedules.
Dr. Akindele said he was grateful to have been given the responsibility to serve Almighty Allah and the community in general.
While speaking with Muslim News, the new Baba Adinni of Owu Kingdom assured that he would continue to serve humanity to the best of his ability.
According to him, “My plan for the Muslim Community is what we have always done; to serve humanity to the best of my ability. I will continue to do that because that is the essence of life as far as I am concerned. The act of a Muslim is to serve God and because of God, you serve humanity, all in the effort to just make sure that your scales are weighted towards the positive and Ibaadah in the afterlife. That is what we are doing. It is not for nothing. We are building the case towards being able to enter Al-Jannah as much as possible.
Dr. Akindele, who has contributed to the development of Islam through his involvement with numerous Muslim organisations such as Ansar-Ud-Deen, The Companion, among others, said the ceremony held as early as Monday so as not to create inconvenience for people as we approach the end of the year.
“Everything was always in the Hand of Almighty Allah. We wanted to do something that will not inconvenience people and you know we are approaching the end of the year and people are traveling back and forth. So, we wanted to do the ceremony ahead of the very busy festive period. And then we did not expect that would be so robust. Alhamdulilah, because Allah is always much more in charge than we think.
“I send my appreciation first to Almighty God, then to the Olowu of Owu, Oba Matemilola, Sultan Dr. Muhammad Yusuf and particularly the Chief Imam of Owu Central Mosque. Also, the Chief Imam of the Owu Shopori Agbon local mosque. And then to my good friend and brother, Oduntan Owu Lashile.
“I am also thankful to all the people that have come, all the people from Abeokuta and from all over the world. I want to say thank you to my wife for her understanding. It’s not easy because there are lots of distractions but we have to do what is best in our human capability,” he said.
The title, a great reminder to do good at all time: Oba Matemilola
Also speaking, the Olowu congratulated Dr. Ismail Akindele and his wife, noting that the prestigious religious title conferred on him is a great reminder to do good at all times.
The Olowu said, “I extend my congratulations to Dr. Ismail Akindele and his dear wife on this honour. It is a great reminder that it is important to do good at all times. When I got to know that he was being considered for this Baba Adini of Owu title, I attested to his many contributions and efforts towards the development of our community and Islam.
“Sincerity of intentions is also very important in doing good. It must be sincerely for the sake of Allah. When wealthy people contribute sincerely to the cause of Allah, they have two rewards to benefit. They will be honoured and better known in society; Allah will also reward them on the Day of Judgment.
“I believe our new Baba Adini does his gesture with sincerity. I’ve observed that he doesn’t make his contributions to draw praise from people. May Allah continue to reward him abundantly.”
Installation of Baba Adini: Why Now? Chieftaincy Committee explains
Chairman of the chieftaincy committee for the Muslim Ummah in Owu, Alhaji Ishaq Okedara, explained that Dr. Akindele was appointed Baba Adinni to fill the vacuum created by the demise of the previous occupier of the title.
The tradition is for various committed persons to be appointed to various positions including Iya Adinni, Arowosadini, Agbesinga, among others.
“There are other offices. But there should not be a vacuum. The late Baba Adinni had just passed away last year and we are installing a new Baba Adini to replace him,” Alhaji Okedara who is also the Borokini Musulumi of Owu Kingdom and Secretary General Owu Muslim Community noted.
He said the Baba Adinni is expected to be a bridge between the Ulamah and chiefs in the kingdom.
“There are many functions the new Baba Adinni will serve. Firstly, he is supposed to be the bridge between the Ulamah and the chiefs. He is the bridge between the two of them. If there is any crisis, he is the one to come in (to resolve the crisis).
“It was early this year we began to notice Dr. Akindele. We saw the good things he has been doing to contribute to the growth of Islam. Then, we decided to entrust him with the position. We have heard about what he did at Amororo, where he comes from. Then in Owu, he has been doing great things.
He has been at the forefront of da’wah. So, we just felt that he could do more if given the opportunity like the former Baba Adinni.”
Corroborating the chairman of the chieftaincy committee, the most senior mufasir of Owu Kingdom, Alhaji Sharafudeen Daud An-Nasr, said the installation of Dr. Akindele as Baba Adinni was to support the cause of Allah (Islam).
He said, “What we are doing today is a turbaning ceremony, because such ceremonies are to make Islam grow and develop. We are not to doing it (turbaning ceremony) because of money. We do it when we realise that the person that gets turbaned can use his influence to help Islam grow.
“When our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) wanted to establish Islam, he prayed to Allah to make either of two people who are of great influence to accept Islam in the city (of Makkah), Umar and Abu Jahl. Allah accepted the prayer on Umar and he went on to contribute tremendously to the growth of Islam.
“This is why we deemed it fit to appoint Alhaji (Dr) Ismail who is doing great things around the world and he is also an indigene of Owu. So, we consulted him (about becoming the Baba Adinni of the Owu Kingdom) and he accepted it.”
A committed Muslim, man of great impact — Friends salute new Baba Adinni
Muslim News spoke on the sidelines of the turbaning ceremony with friends of the new Baba Adinni, who described the honour as deserving for his being a committed Muslim and a man of great impact.
Alhaji Muhammad Thabit Wale Sonaike, the Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Owu and Chairman Owu Muslim Community said Dr. Ismail Akindele makes quiet contributions to Islam and humanity.
“I have known the new Baba Adinni for over three decades and I have known him as someone who has a lot of piety and fear of Allah. He supports the ummah quietly. He wants to do things without anybody knowing in line with the hadith that what your right hand gives, your left must not know. That is how he likes to act. He has supported the ummah in many regards. He supported in every area in terms of education, scholarship, donations to mosques, during Ramadan. It just cuts across,” he said.
“He has a program on mentorship, mentoring young Muslims; or even generally anyone that comes across him. He is someone that you can recommend to and you will get results.
“Dr. Akindele is someone that is very forthright and committed as a Muslim. Also, he is for the emancipation of the Muslim community. Even in the workplace, you will see him supporting the Muslim community, being at the forefront of making sure that Muslims have their rights. He is someone that can be described as if invited to the work of Allah, he will be there, even without notice.”
Alhaji Sonaike, the Deputy President II of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) urged the new Baba Adinni to continue doing good, noting his reward is with Allah.
Also speaking, Mr. Lanre Iyanda, who is the Group Executive Officer at Courteville Business Solutions, attested to the great character of the new Baba Adinni, adding that they have been together for about 20 years and he has known Dr. Akindele to be a wonderful person.
“He is someone that loves to see everybody around him grow and develop,” he added.
“I hope that you have seen it all now from people coming to give him support today. It is a testimonial to his kind of person and how he has been able to impact people around him positively.
“He is a son of the soil in Owu Kingdom here. So, giving him this title is just to encourage and motivate him to support the growth and development of Owu Kingdom worldwide.”
Background of Islam in Owu Kingdom
Islam, one of the most widely practised religions in the world, has a long history in the Owu Kingdom of Abeokuta.
According to the Borokini Musulumi of the Owu Kingdom and Secretary General of the Owu Muslim Community, there are more Owus who are Muslims than the Egbas, right from the onset.
He said the first person to lead prayer at the Central Mosque in Egba was an Owu Imam (scholar).
“The first Alfa to give tafseer (Qur’an exegesis) in the whole of Egbaland is an Owu man. And in those days, no matter how knowledgeable you are, you must pass through Owu because if you say you are an Alfa (Islamic scholar) and you have not passed through Owu, it is not complete,” he said.
The most senior mufasir of Owu Kingdom meanwhile explained that the origin of Owu Kingdom is rooted in Isese (traditional worshipping).
“When the Alfas (Islamic scholars) started spreading Islam, they got to Owu Kingdom and specifically Oke Ago Owu. Then the message of Islam got to Baba Alawiye who then preached the religion to all other Imams. It is from those Imams that people like us accepted Islam,” he noted.
