Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Crisis: Islamic Council Meets Key Stakeholders, Seeks Peace, Harmony
In a fresh move to stem the tide of communal unrest in Osun State, the Council of Islamic Preachers, in collaboration with the Office of the Osun State and National Deputy Amir, has convened a high-level dialogue with stakeholders from Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun.
The meeting, which held at the weekend, sought to foster peace, rebuild trust, and promote harmony among the three embattled communities.
A communiqué issued at the end of the conflict resolution dialogue, signed by the convener, Imam Abdullahi Olohunlomerue, stressed the urgent need for the residents to shun violence and embrace lasting peace.
The gathering, which drew participation from Islamic scholars, community leaders, political stakeholders and government officials, emphasised that peaceful coexistence remained the only path to sustainable development.
During the meeting, prominent Islamic clerics including Sheikh Muhammad Jamiu Oloko from Saki, Oyo State, and Sheikh Nurain Adegoke, Mufassir of Ifon-Orolu, harped on the critical role of religious leaders in dousing tensions.
Sheikh Oloko charged clerics to demonstrate patience, fairness, and wisdom in their dealings, warning against the dangers of silence in the face of injustice.
He urged Islamic preachers to consistently propagate messages of peace within and beyond their congregations.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Ilobu, Dr. Abdul-Azeez, decried the spread of inflammatory sermons, calling for introspection among clerics.
Imam Sokoto, the Mufassir of Erin-Osun, condemned the misuse of religion to fan the flames of conflict, urging scholars to live by the teachings of the Qur’an.
Representing the state government, Mr. Munirudeen Raji reaffirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to identifying and prosecuting perpetrators of violence, assuring that all necessary steps would be taken to restore tranquillity.
The council members later paid courtesy visits to the royal fathers of Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun, who, alongside their subjects, pledged to support ongoing peace initiatives.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
