‘Why they say alfa is king’s father’ – Traditional ruler, as first jumat is held in Aaje’s new central mosque
Rasaq BELLO
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Aaje Ologo in Ogbomoso North local government area of Oyo state, last Friday made another historic milestone as the first jumat service was held in the newly built central mosque in the community.
The mosque whose construction began a few months ago on land donated by the Alaaje of Aaje, His Royal Highness Reuben Adesina Amao Osunbiyi I, is the first of such in the community.
Alaaje, a retired Director of Department of State Services (DSS), said the project was “mission accomplished,” noting, “when people have a place to worship God, and they genuinely worship the lord, there will be peace in the land.”
He expressed joy at the number of children present at the service, averring, “When you hold a programme like this and you have a large number of children as we have witnessed today it only means the future is bright.”
He recalled how as DSS director in Gombe state he initiated a similar project despite being a Christian, therefore prophesying, “I see a bigger picture, I see a bigger vision, this building will soon witness an expansion.”
Imam Tajudeen Muhammadu Sadiq Alarape Arikewuyo, Chief Imam of Aaje Ologo, commended Alaaje for his efforts towards changing the narrative of the community especially in facilitating the central mosque.
Informing jumat prayer would now be held every Friday with Khutubal starting 1:15 pm and prayer 2:00pm, and (afternoon) Tafsirs during the forthcoming Ramadan, Imam Alarape urged the congregation to “live right with God and to constantly give thanks to God. Imbibing the spirit of thanksgiving is important. It will boost our blessings from God. We are one in this town, we can’t have religious crisis”
Onitapa of Tapa, Oba Sikirulahi Alao, emphasized the importance of religion saying “any town one goes to and does not find a mosque or a church, one should not stay there because blessings will be limited in such a place.”
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Oba Alao now remarked, “Those who say an alfa or pastor is the father of a king know what they are saying, they are right in a way. If something happens to the king during the night, who will he run to? It is an alfa or a pastor, so, if they make such a claim behind the scenes, it is true.”
He therefore charged the Imam to remain steadfast on the side of truth stating, “Focus on God, who put you here as Imam, it is grace.”
The Onitapa, a bosom friend of Alaaje, went on to praise his brother traditional ruler, affirming, “I commend Alaaje for his giant strides since returning to Aaje as Oba. He is doing many things without making noise and it is because of his love for his community. If it is based on the position he reached while in service, he has no business here, serving as traditional head of this town is beneath him, but he loves his birthplace, let’s continue to pray for him.”
