By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) and Olowu of Owu-Kingdom, Oba (Prof.)Sakal Adelola Matemilola has unveiled his 30-years to reposition more relevant an respected in Olowu, Oba Matemilola Unveils 30 Years Plan To Reposition Ogun Muslim Council, Advocates For Unity scheme activities the state

The Lead Consultant at the retreat, Dr. Akintoye Akindele who unveiled the long term plan while briefing the top leaders of the council from Egba, Ijebu, Remo and Yewa Zones and other stakeholders, disclosed a plan for establishment of financial institution by OMC to provide interest-free loan facility to support businesses of Muslims and make them economically strong to bankroll activities in Islam across the State

Akindele during the presentation of the action plan, explained that the proposed financial institution would also provide the needed resources for building of hospitals for Muslim communities within the state and other capital projects proposed by OMC as obtained in leading Islamic organizations and countries around the world

According to him, the Dawah, Zakat and other Islamic activities will be better co-ordinated by OMC as contained in the document

The Lead Consultant expressed the commitment of new leadership of OMC under Olowu, to ensure all-inclusive participation in the activities of the council, maintaining that unity and brotherhood, accountability and integrity, justice and fairness , knowledge and excellence, respect for Islamic ethnics and service to humanity will always be the core values in the running affairs of the council

He then charged participants at the retreat to study the long term plan for OMC and come up with additional ideas for actualization of the proposed action plan when they meet again in the next two months for a brainstorming session

Similarly, Baba Adinni of Yorubaland Edo and Delta States and former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Isola stressed the need for Muslims to be more alive to their civic responsibilities by participating actively in politics

The former Minister of Steel Development who lauded the all- inclusive leadership style of Oba Matemilola, emphasized that they must be involved in governance to initiate policies and programmes that protect the interest of Muslims and propagate Islam in the state

The objectives of the retreat include to clarify and reaffirm OMC’s identity, mission, vision, and core values, to define OMC’s programmatic focus and operational priorities, to establish effective systems for planning, management, and reporting, to design a sustainable governance and financial model for OMC and to expand OMC’s relevance beyond traditional mandates to national development

Other dignitaries at the retreat includedVice President-General of OMC from Ijebu Zone, Engr. Fatai Arowolo, Vice President-General of OMC from Remo Zone, Prof. Habeeb Oduye, Vice President-General of OMC from Yewa zone, Alhaji Ali Ajibode ,former Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Dr Lateef Ogunsiji; Aare Musulumi of Ijebuland, Barrister Musa Oyefeso; and Mogaji Adeen of Owu, Prof. Maruf Adelekan