Islanders Magazine

Muslim Leaders Appoint Ibadan Billionaire, DeeDamak As The New Aare Musulumi Of YorubaLand

THE League of Imams and Alfas in the South-West, Edo and Delta states has approved the appointment of popular merchant, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola (D-Damak), as the new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.
The body of the Muslim spiritual leaders made the approval on Monday at a meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Secretary-General of the body, Sheikh Ahmad Olagoke Aladesawe, who announced the approval, said the decision of the Rabittah, as the League is otherwise known, being the body vested with the power to make such an appointment, was final.
Sheikh Aladesawe, who is the Chief Imam of Owo, in Ondo State, described Alhaji Akinola as deserving of the honorary religious title and expressed confidence that his era would mark a renaissance for Muslims in Yorubaland.
The cleric, who said the letter of appointment would be presented to Alhaji Akinola in due course, handed Alhaji Akinola over to the President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Bello Keulere, for official recognition.
Sheikh Keulere charged Alhaji Akinola to be mindful of the task before him and ensure the discharge of the duties of the office of the Aare (president) to the Muslim community, as well as the Rabittah.
In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Akinola described the appointment as a call to service and expressed gratitude to the spiritual leaders for finding him worthy.
He called for prayers and the support of the entire Muslim Ummah to render the service successfully and meet standard set by the late holder of the office, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola-Alao.
“I never believed I could be chosen as the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland as I felt I have not done enough to deserve this esteemed position. However, I believe I should not reject the call to serve Allah, as this is an avenue for me to improve my service to humanity and for further propagation of Islam.
“The late Aare Abdul Azeez Arisekola-Alao laid a high standard for this office. I, therefore, need the prayers of all to meet and surpass the standard.
“As I whole-heartedly accept this offer as the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, I solicit your support and prayers at all times for me to record an enviable success in this responsibility,” Alhaji Akinola said.
The title was held by the late business mogul and philanthropist, Alhaji Arisekola-Alao, for 34 years before he died on June 18, 2014 at the age of 69.
 Culled from theelites