Editor
The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has called on residents of Ogun State to continue promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths.
Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, made the appeal during the 3rd Ogun West Ramadan Lecture and Special Prayers held in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the senator himself.
The event took place on Tuesday at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State, attracting Muslim and non-Muslim faithful from across the Ogun West Senatorial District and beyond.
Speaking at the gathering, Adeola emphasised that Ogun State has historically been home to people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, stressing that maintaining harmony among citizens should remain a collective priority.
He urged residents not to allow religious sentiments to influence political choices, noting that leadership should be determined by competence, integrity and commitment to development rather than religious affiliation.
“People should support individuals who possess the vision and capacity to move the state toward greater progress and unity,” he said.
Despite being a Christian, the senator noted that he has consistently supported Islamic causes and interfaith cooperation, revealing that he sponsors more than 100 Muslim faithful annually for the Holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
Adeola, who chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriation, explained that the Ramadan lecture was organised to express gratitude to God and seek divine guidance for the country and the state.
He added that prayers were also offered for the success of President Tinubu’s administration and for peace and prosperity across Nigeria.
He further rallied support for Tinubu’s potential second-term bid in 2027, urging residents to not only pray for the president but also support efforts aimed at ensuring the success of his administration.
The senator also commended Tinubu for economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government, particularly the policy that unified Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
According to him, the harmonisation of exchange rates between the parallel market and the Central Bank of Nigeria is a strategic step toward strengthening the naira and stabilising the economy.
On education, Adeola urged parents not to deprive their children of schooling, describing education as the most valuable investment any family can make.
He disclosed that he recently sponsored the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) fees for 2,000 students across Ogun State, explaining that the initiative was a service to the people and not politically motivated.
The senator, however, clarified that he has not formally declared any intention to contest for any political office, cautioning critics against misinterpreting his interventions.
Delivering the main sermon at the lecture, Islamic scholar Sheikh Jamiu Ajadi Sanusi AmiOlorun described Adeola as a compassionate leader with a strong sense of humanity.
He commended the senator for his developmental contributions to Ogun West while urging him to remain cautious of political sycophants and continue to seek divine guidance in his decisions.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, praised President Tinubu’s efforts to reposition Nigeria through economic reforms and policy initiatives.
Salako noted that many of Tinubu’s current national policies could be traced to reforms he introduced while serving as Governor of Lagos State, which helped lay the foundation for the state’s development.
Former Deputy Governors of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru and Segun Adesegun, in separate remarks, described Adeola as a major asset to Ogun West, citing several developmental projects attributed to his representation.
They urged residents of the senatorial district to unite in supporting efforts to produce the next governor of Ogun State from Ogun West, noting that the district has yet to produce a governor since the creation of the state over five decades ago.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Alhaji Sanusi, said he attended the programme at the invitation of the Ogun West Muslim community to participate in prayers for President Tinubu, Governor Abiodun and Senator Adeola.
The event concluded with the presentation of Ramadan gifts by Adeola to Imams, Islamic clerics and other Muslim faithful in attendance.
Participants at the lecture, drawn from various professions and communities across Ogun West, described the gathering as one of the largest Islamic events held in the region in recent years.
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