Focus on issues that will bring development, not division – Cleric tells Islamic groups

An Ibadan-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold has advised Islamic organisations in the South West geopolitical zone to concentrate on issues that will attract positive development instead of focusing on issues that will cause division among Muslims in the zone.

Akewugbagold made this declaration while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan during a press conference.

He said it is incumbent upon various Islamic organisations in the region to foster and strengthen Islamic unity rather than causing confusion and destabilising the polity.

He said considering the extent to which religion is drifting Nigerians apart, especially in the South West, there is a need to have a stakeholders meeting in which some matters would be resolved urgently.

He used the opportunity to call on various Islamic organisations in the region to concentrate on issues that will enhance meaningful development and not issues that will create more problems.

Akewugbagold said religion should be practised in a way that will bring development to the community and urged President Bola Tinubu to move the country from being a consuming country to a productive one for the country to witness development and be self-dependent.

He said, “Religion, as a way of life, should be practised in such a way that brings development to the Yoruba race and Nigeria in general. There is a need to foster Islamic unity within various sects since we believe we are worshipping one God (Allah) to bring progress to the Yoruba race.

“It is incumbent upon various Islamic organisations to foster and strengthen Islamic unity rather than causing confusion and destabilising the polity since their reference point is the Quran and Hadith of the prophet Muhammed, SAW. We plan to use the conference to bridge the gap between all Muslim kings in the south-west, Islamic scholars and Imams in the region”.