BUHARI, SANWO-OLU EXTOL LAGOS’ SHEIKH ABOU ON CENTENARY BIRTHDAY
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated the Baba Adinni of Lagos, His Eminence Sheikh Abdul-Hafeez Abou (OFR) on his centenary celebration, describing him as a worthy example of a Religious Leader.
In a congratulatory message delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, at the Centenary Birthday Prayer organised for the Baba Adinni of Lagos and held at Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos, President Buhari extolled and appreciated the selfless contributions of Sheikh Abou to national development and peaceful coexistence in the country.
He thanked the Almighty Allah for sustaining the life of the cleric, saying “Allah has been so good to him and no wonder his longevity and success on the face of the earth”
Also in his goodwill message, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the Baba Adinni as faithful, dedicated to God and an epitome of honesty, whose record of service to humanity has been unblemished.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said: “Sheikh Abou is worthy of emulation and has lived his life worshipping the Almighty Allah and serving humanity the best way he could as the Baba Adinni of Lagos. He has been a role model to many Islamic faithful including clerics and leaders”.
“As you celebrate the 100th birthday, it is our prayer that the Almighty God will grant you more grace and strengthen you to continue to live in good health and longevity”, he enthused.
Speaking further, the Governor urged youths to abide by religious injunctions that preach patience, hard work and perseverance in their quest for living a good life and to be great in life.
He stated that such injunctions are worthy of emulation and have been the hallmark of the elderly ones, which Sheikh Abdul-Hafeez Abou and his peers represent.
“Let us learn from our Islamic faithful leaders and ask them how Allah made it possible for them to be great so that we can take the same footsteps”, Sanwo-Olu said.