Firdaus Obiremi
An Islamic scholar, Ustaz Abdul Hakeem Folorunsho Oyegunle, has urged Muslims to prioritise family welfare, sound moral upbringing and financial responsibility, warning that wealth, overseas education and outward religious practices cannot replace good character.
Oyegunle, the Mufassir of the Onikolobo Muslim Community Central Mosque, Abeokuta, Ogun State, gave the warning during the mosque’s investiture ceremony, where distinguished personalities from the academic, security and business sectors were conferred with Islamic chieftaincy titles.
The ceremony, held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, attracted Islamic scholars, public officials, community leaders and other dignitaries, including the Missioner of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of North America, Washington, DC Chapter, Alhaji Imam Tajudeen Gbajabiamila.
Delivering the keynote sermon, Oyegunle said genuine righteousness went beyond outward religious observances, stressing that Muslims must demonstrate their faith through charity, compassion, responsible family care and the proper use of their wealth.
Citing Surah Al-Baqarah 2:177 of the Quran, the cleric said believers should begin their acts of kindness and financial support with their immediate families and relatives.
“God has made it clear in the Quran that true righteousness is not just turning your face to the East or the West. It means using the wealth God has blessed you with to support those around you, starting with your own relatives and family,” he said.
The scholar also criticised parents and guardians who spend huge sums sending their children to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States for education without giving adequate attention to their moral and spiritual development.
He argued that foreign education alone could not guarantee responsible conduct if children were not properly grounded in good character and religious values.
“What is the benefit of spending fortunes on overseas education if the foundation of character and piety is completely missing?” he asked.
Oyegunle further urged husbands and heads of households to discharge their marital and financial responsibilities, insisting that the welfare of dependants should not be sacrificed for public recognition or the pursuit of social approval.
“True righteousness demands that you start at home. Treat your family with love, compassion and fairness. Do not neglect your marital obligations or your responsibilities to those dependent on you,” he added.
Speaking after his installation as the Otun Baba Ad-deen of Onikolobo, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Olawale Taoheed Olokode, pledged to contribute to the growth of Islam and the development of the community.
Olokode said accepting the title came with a responsibility to support the religious community and contribute meaningfully to its progress.
“Muslims have one thing or the other to contribute to the growth and development of the religion in which we believe in. I am here to reassure the community that I am more than ready to contribute to Islam in this environment,” he said.
He also called on Muslims to promote unity and practise their religion sincerely, regardless of whether they were being watched by others.
According to him, religious commitment should be demonstrated through genuine conduct rather than pretence or the desire to impress people.
“The message I have for Muslims is that we should be united. We should practise this religion the way God has enabled us and asked us to do it. We should practise without pretence,” Olokode said.
Rector advocates skills acquisition for youths
Similarly, the Rector of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Prof. Rauf Abdul-Hakeem Adegoke, who was installed as Giwa Ad-deen, pledged to deploy his experience in development communication and entrepreneurship to improve the lives of residents, particularly children and young people.
Adegoke said he would encourage Muslim youths to acquire practical skills that could promote self-reliance and create opportunities beyond conventional white-collar employment.
“I want to assure you that my experience as a development communication expert and as a professor of entrepreneurship will be brought to bear on the lives of children of this environment,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to develop strategies that would enable children to acquire skills across different fields, adding that vocational competence and entrepreneurship were increasingly important in a changing economy.
“Let us look at how we can make all the children—Muslim children—embrace skills, so that everybody can go into self-development in terms of skill acquisition across various fields,” he said.
The professor noted that young people should not consider formal employment the only route to economic success, urging them to explore opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship and the informal sector.
“Nobody has to wait until we get white-collar jobs to be fulfilled. If you look at the world now, you will find that what matters now is the informal sector where individuals can just make the best out of what is actually available and obtainable: technology, and every other area. It’s important for one to have a second address,” he added.
Adegoke expressed appreciation for the honour, describing it as a recognition that carried an obligation to serve the community.
He also called for compassion, mutual support and peaceful coexistence, stressing that helping others was essential to personal fulfilment.
“My philosophy of life is: real happiness is helping others. Let us all embrace this and help our fellow Muslims and fellow human beings generally,” he said.
Adewolu advises youths on character, patience
The newly installed Seriki Ad-deen, Alhaji Taofeek Adewolu, attributed his recognition to divine grace and expressed gratitude to the community for the honour.
Adewolu urged young Muslims to exercise patience, learn from the positive examples of their parents and make responsible choices as they pursue their careers and businesses.
“My advice to the youth is to be patient and observe the right footsteps of their mothers and fathers,” he said.
He advised young people to distinguish between right and wrong and remain committed to values that would help them build responsible and productive lives.
“Youth should look at society and hold on to what is good. Everyone knows what is wrong and what is right. They should choose what is right and model their lives around it so that their path in life will be smooth,” he added.
On entrepreneurship, employment and philanthropy, Adewolu maintained that good character and sincere intentions remained essential to lasting success.
“Everything comes down to good character and intention; one must be upright. That is the primary foundation,” he said.
Chief Imam seeks support for mosque renovation
Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of the Onikolobo Muslim Community Central Mosque, Imam Salahudeen B. Mesioye, has urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayer and maintain faith amid the country’s economic and social challenges.
In an interview with Platform Times, Mesioye said Muslims should remain hopeful even when answers to their prayers appeared delayed.
“In this current period in Nigeria, everyone needs to remain calm and maintain strong faith in God. When we pray, even if answers seem delayed, we must keep moving forward with hope. Praying without faith is futile, so we must hold on to the hope that the Almighty will answer our prayers,” he said.
The Chief Imam thanked the organisers, titleholders and other participants for their contributions to the success of the ceremony, commending their commitment to religious and community development.
However, he appealed to individuals and well-meaning organisations to assist the mosque with the renovation of its damaged roof, which he said allowed rainwater to enter the building and disrupted worship activities.
“Our roof is damaged, and whenever it rains, it creates serious problems for us. We are appealing for assistance to secure steel beams (girders) and complete the necessary repairs to restore the building,” Mesioye said.
He prayed for divine blessings on those supporting the mosque and expressed hope for peace and relief from the country’s challenges.
The investiture ceremony highlighted calls for stronger family values, youth empowerment, religious sincerity and community service, with the newly installed titleholders pledging to contribute to the development of Islam and the wider society.
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