Agunbiade Hails Oyo Grand Chief Imam Akeugberu At First Anniversary

A prominent member of the Oyo State Muslim Community (MUSCOYS), Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has congratulated the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fadilatul Sheikh Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, on his first anniversary in office, describing his one-year leadership as a period of remarkable impact on the Muslim community.

Agunbiade said the cleric’s first year had recorded achievements and engagements which, in his view, were comparable to what could ordinarily take a decade to accomplish.

In a congratulatory message made available to OYOINSIGHT.com on Wednesday, Agunbiade described Akeugberu as a man of honour, a bridge-builder and a long-awaited blessing to the Muslim Ummah.

He said the Grand Chief Imam’s emergence had raised expectations among Muslims in Oyo Land, particularly regarding the need for purposeful leadership, unity and a stronger representation of the community.

Agunbiade recalled that within a month of assuming office, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, received the Oyo cleric, describing the meeting as an early sign of the recognition and acceptance of his leadership within the Nigerian Muslim community.

He added that Akeugberu’s engagements had since extended beyond Oyo State to other parts of the Southwest and the wider Nigerian Muslim community.

The MUSCOYS member commended the cleric’s approach to religious leadership, particularly his ability to engage Muslims across different ideological orientations.

According to him, the office of the Grand Chief Imam requires inclusiveness, humility, courage and commitment to the welfare of the Muslim Ummah, rather than merely occupying a position of authority.

“The Grand Chief Imam is a man whose emergence many Muslims had anticipated with great expectations. Alhamdulillah, barely one year into his administration, his impact has given renewed meaning to those expectations,” Agunbiade said.

He urged Muslims to support the cleric’s leadership through prayers, cooperation and collective commitment, noting that the progress of the Ummah required unity and mutual understanding among its members.

Agunbiade also prayed for Akeugberu’s continued good health, wisdom and strength to discharge the responsibilities of his office, expressing hope that the remaining years of his tenure would bring greater unity, spiritual advancement and institutional development to Muslims in Oyo Land and beyond.