The Ogun State Head of Service, Alhaji Iskeel Olanrewaju Saka, mni, on Sunday said the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) remains a timeless model of “strategic transformation built on faith, vision, sacrifice, resilience and purposeful leadership.”
Saka stated this in his goodwill message at the 41st Annual Hijrah Celebration (1448 A.H.) organised by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) at the Alake Pavilion, Ake Palace, Abeokuta, where he represented Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Delivering the governor’s message, Saka said, “I bring warm greetings and best wishes from His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, who would have loved to be here personally but graciously delegated me to represent him.”
He noted that Hijrah was not merely a migration but a divine strategy of transformation, stressing that “meaningful change requires courage, careful planning and unwavering trust in Almighty Allah.”
Quoting the Qur’an, he cited Surah An-Nisa 4:100: “Whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many locations and abundance,” adding that sincere efforts toward positive change often lead to “new opportunities and divine expansion.”
He also referenced Surah At-Tawbah 9:40: “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us,” describing it as a reminder of divine support in moments of uncertainty, while Surah At-Tawbah 9:20 affirms that those who “believe, emigrate and strive in the cause of Allah… are the successful.”
According to him, Ogun State under Governor Abiodun’s “Building Our Future Together Agenda” has continued to pursue “strategic transformation in infrastructure, healthcare, education, economic growth and social inclusion,” adding that the administration remains committed to inclusive governance.
The celebration also witnessed a colourful ceremonial highlight as pupils and students from both public and private schools across Ogun State, alongside various Islamic organisations, did march-past, while Senator Shuaib Salis took the salute and reviewed the contingents in line with Hijrah tradition.
On his part, the Senator representing Ogun Central, Senator Shuaib Salis, who spoke in an interview at the event, said Islam should not be associated with violence, stressing that the religion promotes peace, inclusion and justice.
He said the Hijrah itself demonstrated peaceful coexistence, noting that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Madinah “brought Muslims, Jews, Christians and pagans together and built a modern society anchored on a constitution.”
Salis added: “Whoever kills a soul is as if the person has killed the entire mankind… whoever saves a soul is as if he has saved the entire mankind,” stressing that Islam upholds the sanctity of life.
He further argued that “crime is crime” and should not be tied to religious stereotypes, adding that Ogun State remains a model of religious harmony where Muslims and Christians coexist peacefully.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Mukhtar Abayomi Arigbabu, said Hijrah symbolises “movement from negativity to positivity,” urging Muslims to embrace self-reformation and support for government and society.
“As we start a new Islamic year, we should move away from anything negative and move towards things that are pious and right,” he said, praying for divine blessings in the new Hijrah year 1448.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Olufemi Abdul Hamid Omoowo, said Hijrah represents “a significant milestone in Islam built on planning, sacrifice and resources,” adding that it teaches society the importance of purposeful change.
He said, “If we want to make a change, there has got to be planning, sacrifice and commitment,” while urging Muslims to sustain the values of peace, inclusion and prosperity associated with Islam.
The event ended with renewed calls for unity, religious tolerance and continued prayers for peace, development and prosperity in Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
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