A new Chairman has emerged to lead the Ondo State League of Imams and Alfas. He is the Chief Imam of Ondo City, Shaykh Muhammad-Bashir Alimi.
Shaykh Alimi succeeds the late Chairman and Grand Imam of Owo, Shaykh Ahmad Aladesawe.
Announcing the decision at a meeting of the League held in Akure, the Grand Mufti of Ondo State and Fakhrul-Ulama of Southwest Nigeria, Shaykh Sirajudeen Batuta, who also chaired the selection committee, said the emergence of Shaykh Alimi followed wide consultations with major stakeholders across the state.
Shaykh Batuta commended the resilience and cooperation of the Chief Imam of Ikare and the Chief Imam of Akure, urging members to sustain unity within the League.
“Before the death of the late Aladesawe, there was peace and unity among members of the League of Imams in Ondo State. Now that Baba is no more, we cannot afford to go our separate ways,” he said.
He noted that although there had been concerns about possible leadership challenges after the late chairman’s demise, members remained steadfast in prayer and consultation to preserve harmony.
As part of the new leadership structure, Shaykh Batuta announced the appointment of the Chief Imam of Ikare, Shaykh Abass Abubakr, as Vice Chairman, while the Chief Imam of Akure, Shaykh AbdulHakeem Akorede, was named Grand Patron of the League.
“As the Grand Mufti of Ondo State, my responsibility is to promote a harmonious relationship within the League. Therefore, we have appointed the Chief Imam of Ikare as Deputy Chairman, while the position of Grand Patron goes to the Chief Imam of Akure,” Batuta stated.
Earlier, the Secretary of the League and Chief Imam of Supare-Akoko, Shaykh Abdur-Rasheed Akerele, outlined the efforts of the selection committee that culminated in the emergence of the new chairman.
He appealed to stakeholders to uphold unity and work collectively toward the advancement of Islam in the state.
In his remarks, the Grand Imam of Akure, Shaykh AbdulHakeem Akorede, expressed disappointment over alleged attempts by some individuals to cause division within the League.
“I am not contesting against Baba Bashir Alimi, the Chief Imam of Ondo. I had already announced him as the successor to Baba Aladesawe during one of my recent sermons,” he clarified.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Shaykh Bashir Alimi, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him.
“I am overwhelmed. I thank you all for the confidence you have placed in me. I promise not to let you down,” he said.
Describing leadership as a collective responsibility, he urged Muslims across the state to support the new administration.
“This leadership is a collective task. I appeal to all of you and the entire Muslim community in the state to rally round and make the work easier. I am an old Shaykh, and I will need your support,” he added.
The meeting also deliberated on preparations for the forthcoming Ramadan and other developmental matters affecting the Muslim community.
A major highlight of the gathering was the formal introduction and acceptance of the new Grand Imam of Owo, Shaykh Abdullah Yunus Anola.
The peaceful meeting was attended by Chief Imams and representatives from all 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
