The ancient town of Ijurin Ekiti in the Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State was agog as eminent personalities from all walks of life, Islamic scholars across Nigeria, family members and well wishers converged on the palace of Ojurin of Ijurin Ekiti His Royal Majesty Oba Joachim Adeyemi Afolabi Ajibola Agungesoye ll to witness the conferment of chieftaincy titles on a distinguished couple; Alhaji Ismail Abiodun Sekoni and his wife, Alhaja Fatima Kehinde Sekoni as Baba Adini and Yeye Adini of Ijurin Ekiti land respectively.
The epoch event was gracefully attended by eminent sons and daughters of Igboho land, led by the Chief Imam of Igboho, Alhaji Ismail Ahmadal Tijani Abdul quadr and Alh Khalifa Isa Temiadara who is the founder of Ewa islam foundation Igboho.
In their separate sermons, the duo of the chief Imam Igboho and Alh Khalifa Isa Temiadara noted that Alhaji Ismail Abiodun Sekoni who is a prominent son of Igboho, has been used by Almighty Allah to assemble Islamic leaders at ijurin to embark on spiritual mission in order to liberate the people of Ijurin Ekiti.
They urged him to continue to use every means within his power to propagate islam in Ijurin Ekiti.
Alh Khalifa Isa in his submission stressed that Allah used Alhaji Ismail Sekoni to propagate Islam in the ancient town through his bosom friend the Olujirin of Ijurin Ekiti.
The Islamic clerics cited an example of a Khalifa of prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)Abubakr sidiq, whom Allah used to support prophet Muhammad with his wealth in order to propagate Islam during their era.
They commended Alhaji Ismail’s spiritual mission, describing the steps taken as a giant feat.
The duo of the chief Imam of Igboho and khalifa Isa used the occasion to channel their messages to those who are richly endowed by Allah to use their wealth to propagate islam, saying islam is a religion of peace, hence Alhaji Ismail Sekoni brought peace to Ijurin Ekiti.
They also charged the newly turbanned Baba Adini and Yeye Adini of Ijurin Ekiti to fulfill their promises in building a befitting mosque and Islamic schools in the ancient town.
In their separate good will messages, the Asiwaju of Oke Amu and Bobagunwa of Ipapo; Chief Dr Mukaila Adewale Oseni,Santali of Lokoja Haruna Bala, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyh Murithadar Igbeyinadun Elemoso, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Otolorin and Chief Dele Muftau Tijani among others, urged all well -to- do individuals to support Baba Adini and invest their resources for the benefit of humanity and for their personal benefit here after.
Several family members and well wishers including,Alhaji Muyiwa Sekoni, Alhaja Bola Ajila from Igboho, Alhaja Aminat Omobola Akanmu, Alhaja Silifat Sekoni Muhammed, Alhaja Sikirat Bolanle Sekoni, Alhaja Taibat Adewuni from Lagos and Hon Mrs Ramat Sekoni Oyedokun congratulated Baba Adini and Yeye Adini of Ijurin Ekiti on the auspicious occasion and urged them not to relent in their efforts to serve humanity.
They admonished the duo to see their chieftaincy titles as clarion call by Allah for the salvation of mankind.
Eldest brother to Alhaji Ismail Sekoni,Hon Sheikh Mubasiru Sekoni in his appreciation to the Olujirin of Ijurin Ekiti and the entire people of Ijurin Ekiti on behalf of his brother and wife, thanked the monarch for his understanding of humanity to have used his connection to lure someone outside his domain and champion the crusade of liberating Ijurin land.
He also charged the awardee to improve on his exemplenary character and continue to impact positively on the people of the society.
While saluting his determination and ingenuity to take his struggle of Islamic emancipation and liberation mission from Igboho to Ekiti, Alhaja Sikirat Bolanle Sekoni and Alhaja Taibat Adewuni urged him not to be dettered despite all odds and challenges that may come his way, making reference to the Islamic struggle made by prophet Muhammad from holy land of Mecca to Medina as a typical example.
In his address, the Olujirin of Ijurin Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Joachim Adeyemi Afolabi Ajibola Agungesoye ll, eulogised the awardees for their philanthropic gestures.
He said the couple’s uncommon attributes and ways of practicing their religion spurred his desire to give them the opportunity of extending their age long friendship, regardless of their religious differences to serve the people of Ijurin land and also consolidate their friendship.
The monarch urged Alhaji Ismail Sekoni to maintain the good tempo.
In their separate remarks, the celebrants Alhaji Ismail Sekoni and Alhaja Fatima Sekoni thanked the monarch and the entire people of Ijurin Ekiti for their gesture.
They also seek the cooperation of the people of the land with a view to achieving their set goals.
Alhaji Ismail emphasized that he emulated the good pace set by his parent to work on the ways of Allah and as such called the people of the society particularly richly blessed ones to think of here after for religious participation.
According to him,God created human being to worship Him and also serve Him with their material possessions which is an act of worship called ibadah.
The duo of the awardees promised to justify the confidence reposed on them.
Ijurin Ekiti, the home of Hospitality located on longitude 5 degree centigree and latitude 7 degree 540 centigree is richly endowed with both human and natural resources with vast arable land for farming.
The uniqueness of the town is the symbolic interaction embedded in their peaceful co- existence and also geared towards unity of purpose.
Both the monarch,Oba Joachim Adeyemi and the awardee,Baba Adini of Ijurin Ekiti are members of Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN) while Baba Adini Alhaji Ismail Sekoni who is an ambassador of peace internationally is a member of Chartered Fellowship Award by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) among other professional bodies of local and international recognitions.
Report By Kaseem Jenrade