A former Executive Secretary of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Daud Olatokunbo Shittu Noibi, has warned Muslims from the South West against participating in the call for the actualisation of Yoruba nation.
Noibi, who retired from the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan, made this disclosure on Saturday during a send-forth and book presentation in his honour organised by MUSWEN in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Some of the dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal; JAMB Registrar, Professor Isiaq Oloyede; MUSWEN President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo; MUSWEN Executive Secretary, Professor Muslih Yahya; MURIC Director, Professor Isiaq Akintola; Alhaji Kunle Sanni and UI Chief Imam, Professor Abdulrahman Oloyede.
Others are the book presenter, Alhaji Sa’eed Alao; First Bank GMD, Dr. Sola Adeduntan; Alhaji Saheed Aweda and Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Professor Afis Oladosu; among others.
DAILY POST gathered that some groups and individuals, including Professor Banji Akintoye and Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, have been calling for the actualisation of the Yoruba nation.
Noibi, who was the pioneer MUSWEN Executive Secretary, has, however, warned Muslims in the South West region against participating in anything that has to do with the creation of the Yoruba nation.
He said that the agenda of the agitators poses a big dilemma for the Muslims in the region; hence none of them should support the agitation.
He advised them not to be part of the agitation because it would not promote the unity and oneness Nigerians have been yearning for.
He explained that ethnic warlords want the people to be bound only by ethnic sentiments and take fellow believers of other ethnic extractions for enemies, which he said is against the teachings of the Qur’an.
Noibi said, “Muslims in the South West, don’t be part of agitation for the Yoruba nation.
“I have for a very long time unshakably been committed to promoting Muslim unity up and down the country. I was called names. However, I have since been vindicated.
“Nothing should be done to stop or reverse the growth of that unity. At this juncture, I should draw attention to the special danger posed for us, the Muslims of the South West, by the agitation for the creation of Oodua or Yoruba nation out of Nigeria.
“Besides, the evil consequences of a breakup of the country, the agenda of the agitators poses a big dilemma for the Muslims of the South West. Allah directs us Muslims across ethnic boundaries to be bound by the Islamic brotherhood.
“On the other hand, ethnic warlords want us to be bound only by ethnic sentiments and take fellow believers of other ethnic extractions for enemies”.
Oladejo, while speaking, advised Muslims to participate actively in the 2023 elections.
He said, “The Muslims should participate actively in the election. Getting PVCs is not enough, we should vote during the elections”.
