Muslim faithful including, family, friends, and crème la crème of the society from all walks of life were present at the turbaning and installation ceremony of Fadilat Abdul-Ganiyu Afolayan (Olorunjedalo I) as the 3rd substantive Imam of Oluwalogbon Islamic Foundation Mosque, Okesuna, Somolu, Lagos on 4th February 2023.
The top-notch event which was held at the Nigerian Army Sports Camp, Mayong Barrack, Morocco, Somolu, Lagos amidst pomp and pageantry had the guests in colouful attires leaving the atmosphere serene and spiritually filled up.
Speaking to the Chairman of the Oluwalogbon Muslim community, Alhaji Sakiru Omoware described the turbaning and installation of the imam Abdul-Ganiyu Afolayan as the necessary step that needed to be taken as the recognized spiritual leader of the Muslim community noting that no Imam will assume such leadership role or lead a congregation of Muslim faithful without being certified, that is, he must be turbaned before he can be asked to lead.
He continued, “It’s important to us as a Muslim community to choose, and certify the right person as a leader who’s knowledgeable enough to lead the Muslim congregation which is what we’re doing here today called ‘turbaning’.”
“And to be honest with you, Imam Abdul_Ganiyu Afoloyan (Olorunjeda Ayeni I) is a very humble personality who has all that it takes to be the Imam as ordained today and we’ll cooperate with his leadership style because believe he’s a trusted leader with honour and integrity,”
In the same vein, one other guest and academic who spoke to our correspondent, Alhaji Yusuff Balogun said the essence of the turbaning was to recognize Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu as a Muslim community leader whose major role is to lead and feed his followers spiritually as enshrined in the holy Quran.
“The new Imam is our leader whom we need to recognize as our spiritual guide and follow their advice at every point in time.” He averred.
The scholars, however, advised the Muslim ummah to set the manners in which they behave and recognize the new Imam as their leader, and as well give him all the support when and where necessary.
Top Islamic clerics present at the turbaning ceremony include Alhaji Sheik Muhammed Issa Adeyinka (Alfa Agba) representing Chief Imam of Somolu, Alhaji Sheik Mohammed Mutolib Akorede, Alhaji Sheik Abdul-Kabir Mohammed Mustapha Elewukumasin, Alhaji Chief Imam Abdul-Lateef Arogundade, and Alhaji Chief Imam Mukhail Ayiowunawi.
Others are Alhaji Sheik Mohammed Taofik Idris Olumegbon Olori-Ratibi of Somolu), Alhaji Sheik Radiallahu Alabi Yunus, (Chairman of SMC), and other Executives including the Administrative Secretary Alhaji Kamorudeen Adewale Adeyemi (Special Adviser on Religious Matter to the SLG).