Adeleke Boasts He Has Done More for Osun Muslims Than All Predecessors

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

 Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared that his administration has delivered more for the Muslim community in the state than any previous government, citing projects and policies he said have transformed the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

The governor made the remarks on Sunday while addressing members of the Osun State Muslim Community during an engagement with the umbrella body of Muslims in the state.

According to a statement issued by the governor's spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said his administration's record in advancing the interests of Muslims surpassed those of his predecessors, challenging the opposition to campaign based on its own record while in office.

Speaking at the event, the governor highlighted several initiatives undertaken by his administration, including the construction of a Hajj camp, the building of a mosque within the Government House, the constitution of the Osun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, and the formalisation of Islamic marriage certificates.

Adeleke noted that Osun had remained the only state in the South-West without a Hajj camp for 12 years before he assumed office, describing the situation as an embarrassment to the Muslim community.

"I am happy to report that my administration is almost completing the Hajj camp to remove the shame on the Ummah. They were in office and did not deem it fit to build the camp for intending pilgrims," he said.

The governor also said previous administrations failed to provide a mosque at the Government House despite identifying as supporters of Islam, adding that his government was currently constructing one.

He further stated that while previous governments did not constitute the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, his administration established the board and introduced additional benefits for Muslim pilgrims.

Adeleke also pointed to the recent formalisation of Islamic marriage certificates in Osun, describing the initiative as the first of its kind in the South-West.

According to him, he has directed that the process for issuing the certificates should henceforth be handled by the Osun State Muslim Community as the recognised umbrella body for Muslims in the state.

The governor added that Muslims occupy key positions within his administration, insisting that his government has ensured equitable representation across public offices.

"I listed all the above to show what I did that they refused to do when they were in office. You can judge who is a true believer from the work of our hands," Adeleke said.

Also speaking, the governor's Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Alhaji Muniru Raji, commended Adeleke's administration for what he described as extensive support for the Muslim community.

He said the governor had implemented several policies and projects aimed at addressing the needs of Muslims, expressing confidence that the administration would do more if re-elected.

Earlier, Chairman of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, explained that the invitation extended to Governor Adeleke was part of the community's ongoing engagement with governorship candidates to present their programmes and policy agendas ahead of the election.

Olawuyi appreciated the governor for what he described as his administration's achievements while presenting additional requests on behalf of the Muslim community, urging him to sustain fairness and inclusiveness toward adherents of all faiths.

Governor Adeleke attended the event alongside members of the Imole Campaign Council and the Osun State Executive Council.