The president of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, has endorsed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their candidate for president.
He spoke with reporters as the 7th General Assembly of MUSWEN got underway at the Islamic Center at the University of Ibadan.
At the event, 115 deserving recipients from all the south-west states received scholarship grants from MUSWEN.
Oladejo said that their support for Tinubu alongside others was not based on his religious affiliations, but competence as well as track records.
“MUSWEN has already made its intention known. We are supporting Tinubu to become president. Our support for Tinubu is based on his competence and track records.
“We can all see his performance as governor of Lagos State and the state till date remained the number one most viable state in Nigeria with lots of innovations,” he said.
He urged the populace to cast a large number of votes for Tinubu in the general election, claiming that Kashim Shettima’s selection as Tinubu’s running mate was merely a coincidence.
Speaking about the bursary award, he said that 115 recipients received bursaries for the first time during his administration.
Oladejo expressed optimism that the number of recipients would increase by 2023, noting that for Nigerian Muslims today, education is one of the biggest obstacles.
“It cannot be overemphasised that education is the master key to overcome poverty. It is only through education that our young men and women could acquire skills needed to enhance their employment opportunities.
“I wish to assure you that MUSWEN will continue to focus on education/scholarship programme including supporting entrepreneurship/empowering projects such as job placement and support for startups,” he said.
Dr Habibat Adubiaro, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, enjoined Muslims across the country, particularly women to participate actively in politics.
Adubiaro said that participating in politics would avail them opportunities to contribute to national growth and development.
She enjoined all to exercise their franchise by voting enmasse for Tinubu and other candidates of their choice in the general election.
Prince Bola Ajibola, the MUSWEN Board of Trustees(BOT) Chairman, commended the efforts of the Presidency and other organs of MUSWEN for their cooperation in working for the unity, welfare and progress of our ummah.
Ajibola expressed gladness that MUSWEN had been successful in reaching out to increasing number of corporate as well as individual stakeholders within the ummah and beyond.
According to him, there is no doubt about the fact that this is surely the best way to further strengthen the organisation for the benefit of the ummah.”
He urged all to always remember the place of gratitude to Allah in their lives, both as individuals and as groups.
NAN reports that MUSWEN is the umbrella body for Muslims in the six states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo in South West Nigeria.
It embraced all Islamic organisations, NGOs, League of Imams and Alfas; Muslim Traditional and Community Leaders; Title Holders, Muslim Intellectuals, Professionals, Business People, Women and Youth.
MUSWEN is one of the main components of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and serves as the coordinating body for the office of the Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA.
