In an extraordinary demonstration of religious harmony, Muslims and Christians in the Itesi community of Abeokuta, Ogun State, have jointly launched a N150 million fundraising campaign to remodel and expand the 80-year-old Itesi Central Mosque.
The initiative, unveiled during a Turbaning Ceremony and Fundraising Appeal held on Saturday at St. Peter Claver’s Convent School, drew faith leaders, government officials, traditional representatives and community development advocates — all united behind a project hailed as a model of peaceful coexistence.
Representing the Minister in Charge of Trinity Methodist Church, Itesi, Reverend Adejuwon Adeolu Joseph praised the collaboration as a remarkable deviation from Nigeria’s usual religious tensions.
“This is not common in our environment,” he said. “Bringing other religions together to raise funds fosters love and unity. Religious leaders must see ourselves as one.”
Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, seized the moment to caution against personal ownership of worship centres.
“There is nothing like community or individual ownership in mosque. Mosque belongs to God,” he declared. “Even if you single-handedly build it, you cannot lay claim to it. Every Muslim on earth has the right to worship there.”
He congratulated the newly turbanned honourees and prayed for divine wisdom to guide their service to the community.
Also speaking, the Wakilu Musulumi of Yoruba, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Iskeel Awwal (popularly known as Sugar), emphasised sincerity and submission to divine will in mosque development.
He recalled budgeting N150 million for a similar reconstruction project of his own, adding, “It is God that builds a mosque. Once you build it, it belongs to Him.”
Chairman of the Ogun State Musabaqah Committee and CEO of Alare Radio, Engr. AbdulHameed Femi Omotayo, commended the community’s founding fathers for sustaining the legacy of the Itesi mosque.
He described mosque construction as “both a spiritual and communal investment,” urging Muslims to emulate the Saudi Arabian model of monumental religious infrastructure.
He warned against religiously motivated violence, insisting that Nigeria’s security challenges do not target any one faith.
“We must work together intentionally. Harmony is the foundation of a prosperous community,” he said.
Top donations included N1 million each from Prof. Lateef Sanni and Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Abiodun Agbaje, Baba Adinni of Gbagura, among others.
Prof. Sanni noted that the mosque, beyond its spiritual value, has the potential to “transform the fortunes of the Itesi community” if developed as a multifunctional structure.
The Planning Committee’s Secretary, Abdul-Hakeem Olajide Bello, assured full transparency in managing the N150 million project.
Earlier, the Balogun Musulumi of Itesi and Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Asiwaju Kamal’deen Akintunde, described the ceremony as a defining moment for the community.
“The Turbaning should not be seen merely as an honour but a solemn call to service,” he said.
He urged religious institutions to lead in complying with building regulations, warning that negligence endangers lives and the environment.
Prominent Community Figures Receive Islamic Titles.
Several notable personalities were turbanned and conferred with Islamic honorary titles, including Alhaji Owolabi Semiu Shittu (Baba Adeen), Alhaji Muhammad Shansaliu Adeola Adeniji (Olori Adeen), Ustaz Abdur-Rofiu Solahudeen (Mufassir), Imam Abdul Hameed Abdul-Salam (Ekerin Olomokewu), among many others.
The Chief Imam of Itesi, Alhaji AbdurRafiu Odebiyi, said all recipients had demonstrated years of commitment to the growth of Islam.
The ceremony was attended by high-profile personalities, including: representative of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Sa’adalahi Bamgbola ; representative of the Olowu of Owu, Olori Ameenah Amatemilola ;and former Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Kehinde Sogunle ; top officials of the Ogun State Muslim Council ; local government executives and various Islamic organisations and women’s groups.
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