The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity, inclusion and constructive dialogue within the Muslim community, with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Religious Matters, Hon. Ahmed Musa Momoh, urging Muslims to embrace dialogue in resolving issues affecting the community.
Momoh gave the charge when representatives of the Okpella Council of Ulamas visited him in his office in Benin City on Thursday to engage the government over concerns arising from the recent appointment of the Edo State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
The engagement provided an opportunity to resolve what the Okpella Council of Ulamas termed, marginalization in the recent appointment of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, with the delegation subsequently apologising to Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq, over comments made during the recent protest.
The Council explained that its earlier action was not intended to disregard the contributions of the Governor and the SSG to the development and welfare of the Muslim community in Edo State, nor to create division within the Muslim community or undermine the administration’s support for Muslims.
Responding, Momoh said dialogue should have been the first step taken by the Ulamas before resorting to protest, assuring the delegation that the concerns raised would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities for consideration.
He said the administration of Governor Okpebholo remained committed to creating opportunities that would benefit Muslims and non-Muslims across the state, stressing that the government would continue to engage stakeholders constructively.
According to him, the administration was already taking steps towards the constitution of the Musaabaqah Board, which he said would provide opportunities for a number of Muslims to contribute to the development of the state.
The Special Adviser urged Muslims in the state to remain united, noting that a united Muslim community would be better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities being created by the Okpebholo administration.
Momoh also said the administration had demonstrated an unprecedented level of inclusion through the appointment of Muslims into key positions in government.
He described the Okpebholo administration as the most accommodating government to the Muslim community since the creation of Edo State, urging Muslims to continue to support the Governor and adopt constructive engagement whenever issues arise.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Barrister Oseni Momodu, popularly called Embassy, who spoke on behalf of the Okpella Council of Ulamas, said the delegation decided to visit the government because it believed dialogue was the best way to resolve differences.
“On behalf of the Okpella Council of Ulama, we have visited the Edo State Government through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Religious Matters, Ahmed Musa. We are here because we believe in dialogue as Muslims,” he said.
Embassy said the engagement had been fruitful and that the matter had been resolved, stressing that there was no division within the Muslim community in the state.
“By the grace of God, we have resolved. Islam in Edo State remains one. There is no crack by any way by any man. By the grace of God, we have had a very fruitful dialogue with the government of Edo State,” he added.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for his support for Muslims in the state and commended the SSG, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq, whom he described as “our brother and our friend.”
He particularly appreciated the Governor for appointing Ikhilor from the beginning of the administration, as well as other Muslims serving in key positions in government.
“Edo State remains one, Islam remains one,” Embassy declared, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to unity and continued dialogue with the government.
