Aiyedatiwa orders reopening of central mosque after 4 years of closure

By Muftau Ogunyemi

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Tuesday ordered the reopening of Ikare-Akoko Central Mosque, which has been shut down since Oct.18, 2022.

The mosque was shut down by the late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to prevent violence in the town due to leadership tussles over the imam of the mosque

But speaking on Tuesday in Akure at the annual Iftar Ramadan fast prayer tagged “Iftar With Mr Governor”, organised by the state government in conjunction with the State Muslim Welfare Board, Aiyedatiwa ordered the reopening of the mosque.

The Ondo governor also directed Sheikh Abubakar Muhammed Abbas, the Chief Imam of the town before the closure, to continue to lead islamic prayers and activities in the town.

“Today as kabiyesi, Oba Akadri Momoh, the Olukare of Ikare, Grand Mufti himself and Chief Imam of Ikare are present, I want to declare that the central mosque of Ikare is declared open.

“Then, the Chief Imam of Ikare will lead the prayer in the mosque in the spirit of love and unity,”Aiyedatiwa said.

Abubakar was recently appointed as the State Vice Chairman of the Ondo State League of Imams and Alfas by a committee.

The committee was chaired by Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Sheikh Shehu Batuta