Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, said on Sunday that President Bola Tinubu and immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari played important roles in his life.
Aregbesola stated this in Oyo town, Oyo State, at a civic reception organised in his honour by concerned Muslim scholars and clerics in Nigeria’s South-West, saying the two leaders’ support paved the way for him to achieve the feat.
He said, “I am thankful to those who make the achievements that facilitated this grand reception possible. I start with those who mentored me in Lagos, who facilitated my emergence in Osun, and who made it possible for me to do the little things that the Oyo people are celebrating me with. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former President, Buhari.
“If any appreciation and gratitude could be given to me, I want to believe greater gratitude and appreciation should be given to those two people I have mentioned because, without their support, it would be pretty difficult for me single-handedly to achieve the heights I have attained and render the services for which the people are commending and appreciating me.” He stated.
In his address, the Chairman, Oyo State Muslim Community, Kunle Sanni said, “Aregbesola’s major interventions in this state include the passport front office and the fire service facilities among other varying developmental projects to the state. He has continued to shine his light on the world. I am happy and the entire Muslim community is happy to associate with him.”
In their lectures, Professor Sarafadeen Kareem from the Federal University of Agriculture, Ogun State and Associate Professor, Abass Alade of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, admonished him not to relent in doing his best for humanity.
The duo who spoke on the topics, “The Stewardship of a True Servant” and “To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected,” further urged him to remain grateful to Allah for his benevolence, one that has kept him in the public sphere for over two decades, with resounding successes.
The Amir, Jamatul Tawunn Muslimeen and the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Daud Molaasan stated that the programme was to celebrate Aregbesola, who has continued to identify with Islam and Muslims in his sojourn in Politics.
The Basorun of Oyo kingdom, High Chief Yusuf Olayinka, who spoke on behalf of the Oyomesi-in-Council, expressed gratitude on behalf of the town to the former minister for the huge development he brought to them.
Convener of the programme, the Khadeemul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Daud Tijani popularly known as Igi-Ogun described him as an upright man in religion and politics.
Dignitaries at the occasion included the acting Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Abdullateef Abdulazeez; the former Secretary to State Government, Osun State, Moshood Adeoti; Federal Commissioner representing Osun in National Population Commission; Senator Mudashiru Husain, former All Progressives Congress Chairman in Osun, Lowo Adebiyi; clerics; members of the Oyomesi; political stakeholders and other eminent Nigerians.
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