The various developmental community-based activities of renowned Islamic cleric and erudite scholar Prof. Engr. Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, who is also the Mogaji Ogunelu Aare Alaasa Dynasty of Oja’ba in Ibadan, was recently commended by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II, at his Alarere residence.
Oba Balogun gave the commendation during the former Senior Lecturer’s visit to the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, to the Alarere residence of the Olubadan, during which he gifted the Royal Father a royal chair that he (Olagoke) described as the proverbial child’s food (one omo).
IProf. Olagoke, the founder and Spiritual Leader of Shafaudeen-in-Islam, was described as a thorough-bred humanist whose concern for the downtrodden is worthy of emulation.
According to Olubadan, “I’m fascinated by your various welfare programmes aimed at improving the well-being of our people. Should all our Mogajis in Ibadanland take after you, our story today would be totally different. I commend you and appreciate your good gestures with a prayer that our ancestors will not abandon you. I also thank you profusely for the presentation of the new chair and pray for more blessings in all your undertakings.”.
Earlier, Prof. Olagoke said that all chiefs should ask for which purpose they were made chiefs, stressing that “it is only when this question is being sincerely answered and given genuine answers that whatever Olubadan is doing can be effective and efficient.
“Being Mogaji has the socio-political power responsibility, and they have to live in a consciousness of feeding Olubadan back on what they are doing in their respective domains to justify this responsibility. I’m happy to inform Your Imperial Majesty that I have been trying to uplift my people since I became the Mogaji last year.
“When I visited my family compound as a Mogaji, what I saw was befuddling, and I took the bull by the horns, and by the grace of the Almighty Allah, I rebuilt the ancient hall which used to serve as a court of my progenitors to the admiration of all. In addition, I have raised youths who had volunteered to empower the jobless ones around to reduce the incidence of thuggery and other vices,” he added.
Prof. Olagoke added that he had provided his compound with six public toilets and solar lights, which he said would ensure maximum security for lives and properties. He visited the DPOs at Mapo and Idi-Aro police stations, who now constantly patrol the area to provide protection.
“I have also empowered women with capital to start and expand their businesses, and the reason is to ensure they cater to their children,” he added.
Olagoke also explained that his programme had captured some of the women desirous of empowerment in the compound in his own little way. He disclosed that he would not relentlessly do his best for his people, asking the monarch to drum such activities to the hearing of other Mogajis to uplift Ibadanland.
