The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) Saturday organised a sendforth for its immediate past Executive Secretary l, Prof Muslih Tayo Yahya, a ceremony held at the organisation’s secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
Penpushing reports that the event was attended by President of the body Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo accompanied by two deputies, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti and Alhaji Thabit Adewale Sonaike.
The others include pioneer Executive Secretary of the organisation, Prof. D. O. S Noibi; Prof Lateefah Durosinmi, Chairperson of Committee on Women Affairs and Prof Muibi Opeloye, Chairman of the Mediation and Reconciliation Committee.
Penpushing further reports that Noibi, who traced the growth and evolution of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), thanked Allah for guiding the tenure of the retiring scribe over the last six years.
The immediate past scribe praised the leadership for moving the organisation higher over the last 17 years of its existence and commended Yahya for his contribution to the growth of the Ummah and the association.
Penpushing also reports that President on his part described the retired Executive Secretary, as someone who served Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) with humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to unity.
“He listened attentively, acted thoughtfully and consistently placed the interest of the Ummah above personal comfort. This ceremony is therefore not simply a farewell, it is a collective expression of love, respect and appreciation for a devoted servant of the ummah and a family that shared him selflessly’, Oladejo said.
Penpushing reports that he Alhaji described Yahya as a man who has won his deep respect, stating that the ceremony carries mixed emotions; joy, gratitude, reflection and a gentle sense of nostalgia.
‘Today, we gather to appreciate goodness with goodness. As he enters a new phase of life, we pray that Allah accepts Prof. Yahya’s service as an act of Ibadah, forgives his shortcomings and multiplies his rewards. We also pray earnestly for his wife and children- that Allah grants them good health, peace of mind, continued unity and abundant barakah’, he said
Penpushing further reports that, immediate past Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Prof Oloyede Abdur-Rahman in his sermon said the main challenge that Nigerians face as a people was because of a lack of belief in the hereafter.
The Chief Imam called on Muslim leaders to address the education gap between Muslims and Christians and also ensure that more Muslim youth are supported with entrepreneurial skills so that they could be more useful members of the society.
Penpushing also reports that speaking on behalf of the organisation’s Secretariat, Alhaji Wakil Olaniyi noted that Yahya assumed office as the Executive secretary in November 2019 at a critical period in the life of the body.
“From the very first day, he demonstrated uncommon calm, clarity of purpose, and deep commitment to the ideals of the organisation. To us, the staff, he was not just an administrator, but a mentor, teacher, and father figure’, Olaniyi stated.
” One of Prof. Yahya’s most outstanding qualities was his open-door leadership style. He listened attentively, encouraged constructive dialogue, and carried staff along in decision-making’, he added
“He placed great emphasis on discipline, professionalism, and integrity, while also showing understanding and compassion. He corrected with wisdom, guided with patience, and always sought solutions rather than blame. Under his leadership, staff capacity was strengthened, administrative processes were improved, and the Secretariat became more organised and responsive’.
“Prof. Yahya also consistently reminded us that MUSWEN is not just an institution, not only a place of work, not only a paycheck, but an amanah (trust), an opportunity to serve Allah, that must be handled with sincerity, transparency, and fear of Allah.”
Penpushing reports that in his contributionn Ebiti described the event as a gathering of gratitude and urged Yahya not to retire but to embrace fresh challenges, equally advised Muslims to return to the true faith, saying with prayers no challenges would be too onerous.
The Chairman of the Mediation and Reconciliation Committee in his own remarks described Yahya as an exceptional Arabic scholar and administrator who has brought stability and growth to the Islamic body.
Penpushing reports that Yahya in his response thanked the organisation for the support he received while in office and promised to continue to work for the progress of the organisation and Muslim population in general.
Meanwhile, the new Executive Secretary of the organisation, Prof Wole Abbas, thanked his predecessor for his years of service and promised to build on the legacy, while at the ceremony gifts were presented to the retired official by the body and some of its affiliate organizations such as Federation of Muslim Women Association oof Nigeria (FOMWAN).
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