The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Oyo State, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, has donated the sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15m) in support of the upcoming Oyo 2026 Rabitah Conference aimed at advancing the development of Islam in the state and across Yorubaland.
He also made a personal donation of One Million Naira (N1m) to the delegation as pocket money, in demonstration of his longstanding culture of honouring and caring for Ulamas.
Engr. Open Salawu, who is the Giwa Adinni of Oyo State and the Babalaje of Ogbomosoland, announced the donations on Tuesday when he received the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakry Agbotomokekere, alongside a delegation of distinguished Imams, Alfas and Islamic scholars from across Yorubaland.
The delegation, under the aegis of Rabitatul Aimmat Wal Ulamai Fi Bilaadi Yoruba (League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland), paid a courtesy visit to the APM Governorship candidate as part of preparations for the Yorubaland Muslim Conference, Ibadan 2026, scheduled for November.
The delegation described Engr. Open Salawu as the pride of Islam in Oyo State, commending his consistent contributions to the propagation and development of Islam over the years.
They listed some of his interventions to include building the Central Mosque in Ilajue, Surulere Local Government Area; building the Central Mosque in Olokoto, Orire Local Government Area; single-handedly building the mosques in Ile-Ogiri and Tara in Ogbomoso; supporting the foundation of the Ikoyi Central Mosque and roofing several Jumat mosques.
Other interventions highlighted include initiating Itikaf at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque and funding the feeding of 100 participants annually since 2023, feeding 9,000 people every Ramadan for the past 8 years, and sponsoring Muslim and Christian programmes on Parrot FM, Ogbomoso for over 10 years.
They formally invited him to the conference while applauding his generous support.
According to the Ulamas, the three-day conference, scheduled to hold from November 13 to 16, 2026, at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, will be intellectually engaging and spiritually uplifting.
They disclosed that the conference will bring together renowned Islamic scholars, community leaders, government officials and stakeholders to deliberate on values that bind society together, including peace, unity, education, moral leadership, youth development and the strengthening of religious and community institutions.
Topics to be discussed include the role of Imams in purifying Islamic pulpits, the duties of political leaders ahead of the forthcoming elections, and other pertinent issues affecting the Muslim Ummah and the nation at large.
Special guests expected at the conference include the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and other prominent dignitaries.
While assuring the delegation of his presence at the conference, Engr. Open Salawu commended the League of Imams and Alfas for sustaining the impactful conference and for recognising the importance of collaboration between religious and community leaders in building a peaceful, progressive and inclusive society.
The Oyo Giwa Adinni reaffirmed his continuous commitment to supporting Islamic development and other initiatives that promote environmental sanity, unity, peaceful coexistence, education, youth empowerment and the overall wellbeing of the people.
He also commended the organisers for bringing together Muslim leaders from across Yorubaland, expressing confidence that the conference will provide a meaningful platform for dialogue, reflection and collective action on issues affecting the Muslim community and the larger society.
Engr. Open Salawu, however, prayed that Allah, SWT, grants the organisers wisdom, rewards their efforts abundantly and makes the conference a resounding success.
The delegation, in turn, offered special prayers and spiritual blessings for him, his family and his political aspirations.
