By Olamide FAKEYE
Nigeria, Ilaro-Yewa – The Conference Ground of Jamia Ahmadiyya along Ilaro–Owode Road, Ilaro, Ogun State, came alive with spiritual fervour, intellectual depth and national significance on Saturday, December 20, 2025, as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria hosted the grand finale of its 71st Annual Convention, where the immediate past Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR, was honoured.
The convention, with the profoundly instructive theme, “And hold fast, all together, by the Rope of Allah and be not divided…” (Qur’an 3:104), stood as a luminous reminder of the timeless call to unity, faith and peaceful coexistence in a diverse nation.
The gathering of Muslims faithful, meticulously coordinated under the leadership of the National Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji Barrister Abdulazeez Folorunso Alatoye, reflected the organization’s long-standing culture of discipline, order and spiritual excellence.
Similarly, the presence and active participation of the Missionary-in-Charge, Moulvi Adnan Tohir, further reinforced the Jama’at’s commitment to doctrinal clarity and moral guidance, while the administrative depth of the organization was evident through the roles played by the National Secretary General and Secretary to the Local Government, Yewa South, Alhaji Abdul-Jabaar Ayelaagbe, alongside respected scholars including Professor Moshood Fashola and Alhaji H. O. Al-Hassan.
The intellectual highlight of the convention was the keynote lecture delivered by the Chief Senior Lecturer of Lagos State University, Professor Saheed Olurotimi Timilehin, whose exposition on Qur’an 3:104 resonated deeply with the audience. With scholarly precision and spiritual sensitivity, he emphasized unity as a divine injunction rather than a mere social convenience, urging Nigerians to rise above sectarianism, ethnicity and prejudice in favour of collective righteousness and national cohesion.
Adding royal dignity and interfaith symbolism to the gathering was the presence of His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, MFR, the Olu of Ilaro, Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, whose attendance reaffirmed the historic alliance between traditional institutions and faith-based organizations in nurturing peace.
The convention was further graced by elder statesmen and national figures, including General Shuaib Balogun (Rtd), the first Military Governor of Ogun State, and Hon. Justice (Dr.) Salihu Oloruntoyin Muhammad, former Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Kwara State, whose presence lent judicial and moral gravitas to the occasion.
The international outlook of the event was underscored by the attendance of Mr. Malik Muzaffar Ahmad, Managing Director of Raqeem Press International, United Kingdom, while spiritual leadership at the local level was represented by Alhaji Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi, Chief Imam of Ilaro and Secretary General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State.
Traditional rulers from across Yewaland and beyond added cultural depth and ancestral blessings to the gathering, including His Royal Highness Oba Buhari Makinde, the Oniwoye of Iwoye-Yewa; His Royal Highness Oba Abdur Rasheed Babade, Arojojoye III, the Obaladi of Afon; and His Royal Highness Oba Rotimi Mulero, the Aboro of Ibese, who was ably represented by High Chief Adewuyi Tajudeen, the Somofe of Ibese.
The spirit of interfaith harmony was visibly strengthened by the participation of the Christian community, led by Bishop Emmanuel O. Adekunle, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Ogun State, represented by Very Reverend Adedigba, and Catechist John Akapo, Chairman of CAN, Yewa South.
The academic and professional landscape of Nigeria was robustly represented by Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; Professor AbdulRahman Abdullah, Vice Chancellor of Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State; Dr. Abbas Abimbade Shuaib, Registrar of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moore Plantation, Ibadan; Alhaji Alli Ajibode, Asiwaju Adeen of Yewaland and former Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry; Dr. Akande Kazeem Babatunde, mni, of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos; and Chief Kareem Lawal Atoyese, the Eesa of Ikirun. Security consciousness at the event was assured by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command, under Commandant Remi Ekundayo, represented by ACC Yinusa Jelil, Area Commander, NSCDC Yewa South.
Central to the emotional and spiritual depth of the convention was the message delivered by Baba Adinni of Ogun State and Baba Adinni of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, and erstwhile Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR.
In his remarks, Ambassador Isola expressed profound appreciation to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for the honour and invitation extended to him, commending the organization’s exemplary administrative structure, clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment to peace, education and moral discipline.
He described the Jama’at as a model of how faith-based institutions should be organized to serve God and humanity simultaneously, noting that its consistency over 71 years is a testimony to visionary leadership and collective sacrifice.
Expanding on the convention’s theme, Ambassador Isola passionately urged adherents of all religious beliefs, irrespective of doctrinal differences, to see themselves first as one people under God.
He emphasized that diversity of practice should never translate into division of humanity, stressing that peace, justice and compassion remain the universal values binding all faiths.
According to him, Nigeria’s strength lies in its ability to harmonize differences into a shared national destiny anchored on mutual respect and understanding.
In a deeply reflective continuation, the Baba Adinni reminded the gathering that genuine peace can only be sustained through the fear of God Almighty in private conduct and public life.
He admonished leaders and followers alike to align their actions with divine principles, noting that without God-consciousness, societal structures inevitably weaken. His message, delivered with humility and moral authority, drew resounding applause and contemplative silence in equal measure.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, enduring support for religious harmony and outstanding service to Islam and the Nigerian nation, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR was honoured with a commemorative plaque by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria.
The presentation symbolized gratitude, respect and collective acknowledgement of a life devoted to unity, dialogue and God-fearing leadership.
As the curtain fell on the 71st Annual Convention, the atmosphere in Ilaro was one of renewed hope and spiritual resolve.
The event did not merely conclude a conference, it reaffirmed a covenant of unity, peace and faith, echoing the timeless Qur’anic injunction to hold fast together to the Rope of Allah.
In every sense, the grand finale stood as a landmark moment—faithfully reported, deeply felt and nationally significant.
