The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has appointed the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola, as its new President-General, succeeding the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, who until his passing served in that capacity.

The appointment was ratified during the Council’s general meeting held at the Crescent Muslim Professionals Hall, Leme, Abeokuta.

The meeting attended by leading Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and dignitaries, including the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Saadallah Bamgbola, Emeritus Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Isola.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Matemilola pledged to promote unity and brotherhood among Muslims across the four divisions of the state, while urging a collective focus on the welfare and development of the Ummah.

On education, the Council expressed serious concern over the looming extinction of Arabic and Islamic Studies in public schools following the arbitrary transfer of qualified teachers to non-Islamic institutions.

It resolved to collaborate with the Union of Arabic Teachers to engage the state’s Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities to reverse the transfers and recruit more specialized teachers.

The Council also pledged to work with the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) to conduct medical outreach programs aimed at promoting health awareness, early diagnosis, and disease prevention among residents.

In the area of youth empowerment and scholarship, the OMC ratified the nomination of Adegboye Rahmat Adedayo of Olabisi Onabanjo University and Egunsola Hafsah Omolola of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, as Ogun State’s beneficiaries of the Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Female Medical Scholarship facilitated by MUSWEN.

Similarly, the Council approved collaboration with the Ogun Standing Committee on Musabaqah (OSCOM) to seek hosting rights for the 42nd National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in 2027, a move expected to further enhance Islamic scholarship and showcase Ogun State’s leadership in religious harmony.

The Council reaffirmed OMC’s resolve to promote unity, protect Muslim interests, and continue engaging government authorities constructively to ensure justice, equity, and sustainable development in Ogun State.

The Council also commended the Ogun State Government for halting the planned demolition of the Ibara Housing Estate Central Mosque in Abeokuta, while directing the mosque management to regularize its title documents to ensure a lasting resolution to the issue.