As the fasting of Muslims proceeds, member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, has held his annual Ramadan lecture and hosted Muslim faithful in the constituency for iftar.
The well-attended event, which was graced by individuals from all walks of life, took place at the Methodist Grammar School playing ground on Monday, March 17, 2025. In his opening remarks, Hon. Adepoju attributed the success of his administration to prayer and the support of the people of the federal constituency. He maintained that the rationale behind the Ramadan lecture and Quranic competition was to ensure religious tolerance and unity among people of different religious faiths in the constituency.
The lawmaker stated that the event was the second of its kind in his less than two years in office, stressing that the programme is held every year to seek God’s divine intervention in the affairs of the federal constituency. He acknowledged the importance of the holy month of Ramadan and its significance in the lives of Muslims, appreciating all the attendees from all spheres of life, including Alhaji Ibrahim Adesope, who is the Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs, for his leadership style, which is helping the constituency and the administration in religious matters.
Addressing the large gathering of religious followers at the event, Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, who was the Chairman of the event, appreciated Hon. Adepoju for his numerous initiatives, which he said he is strongly aware of. He advised the lawmaker never to rest on his oars, commending him for recognising that nothing in life goes unnoticed. He expressed that Hon. Adepoju, despite being a Christian by faith, has deemed it fit to consider Muslims in all his initiatives, including hosting a Ramadan lecture yearly for the people of the religious belief. He thanked Alhaji Adesope for demonstrating leadership, as is typical of him, appreciating his impactful contribution to everything he has achieved, even before becoming a Commissioner. Speaking on the topic “Rewards for Good Leadership: An Islamic Perspective” before the people in attendance, the Guest Speaker, Fadilatu Shayk Muh. Farouq Olawale Hamzat, emphasised the need for leaders to be responsive and responsible to the needs of their people, with God as the giver and receiver of everything in life. He used Hon. Adepoju as a practical example of a leader who is leading by example and with the fear of God through his efforts in emancipating the people of his constituency from leadership failure.
The Igboora-born young Islamic scholar exhorted those in positions of authority to be cognizant of the repercussions of their deeds and inactions while serving the people. He shared the story of a king in the holy book during the days of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who ordered the killing of one of his subjects, an extraordinary bricklayer. The subject, who had built a magnificent mansion for the overbearing king, was ordered to be killed the next day as a show of supremacy and in order for the subject bricklayer not to build the kind of the magnificent mansion for anybody again. The speaker noted that despite the subject being gripped by fear, the king who ordered his killing gave up the ghost before the next day. Fadilatu Shayk Muh. however, urged everyone to learn from the lesson, as there is no ruler who reigns forever.
In attendance at the Ramadan lecture were Alhaja (Olori) Amudalat Akinyemi, Mother of the Day; Hon. (Mrs) Funmilayo Orisadeyi, Chairperson of the Day; Alh. Wasiu Isiaka, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the Day, Hon. Sola Adeleke; Guest of the Day, Hon. Lateef Akorede, ably represented by Hon. Bisi Akande, Vice Chairman, Ibarapa North; all traditional rulers from each community across Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency; Islamic leaders and teeming Muslim faithful.