The newly appointed Oyo State Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Alhaji Hashim Atere on Monday morning expressed further appreciation to the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Bayo Lawal and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola (D-Damak).
Atere had on Sunday commended the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for finding him worthy of the post of Chairman of the Board.
Again on Monday, Atere said he remained eternally indebted to the Governor and others especially the duo of Deputy Governor and the Aare Musulumi for their efforts and recommendation in the process leading to his appointment last week.
Atere has therefore solicited the supports of Islamic Leaders; Islamic scholars, Alfas, Imams and Philanthropists, to succeed in piloting the affairs of the Board and general welfare of the pilgrims.
Speaking while addressing workers of the Board at Olodo Hajj Camp in Ibadan, Atere who was full of thanks to Almighty Allah and the roles of the Deputy Governor and the Aare Musulumi in making his appointment a reality, urged the workers to share in his dream of making the Board the best amongst other pilgrims welfare boards nationwide.
According to Atere, “our fathers, the Deputy Governor and the Aare Musulumi are our leading lights in Islam who are consistently and continuously using their wealth to propagate Islam in Oyo State in particular and Yorubaland including Edo and Delta States, in general.
“Aare Musulumi is my father and God-send Islamic leader whose roles in the religion of Allah and service to humanity is unquantifiable. The supports being rendered to our State through His Excellency the Deputy Governor cannot be underestimated. His Excellency is a good example of how loyalty and respect can engender seamless administration. Both leaders are great men of honour and we owe them a lot and we will be consulting them in our day to day activities on the Board.
“I am therefore appealing to all of you (Hajj Board workers) to support our aspiration and the vision and mission of our leaders to make us record tremendous success.
“With the enabling environment created by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde for all stakeholders to play their roles in the development of our State, and the supports of His Excellency, the Deputy Governor; the Aare Musulumi; the chief Imam of Ibadanland, all Islamic scholars, Alfas and Imams across the State, we cannot afford to fail in this task.
“I therefore seek your unflinching loyalty and cooperation to ensure the success of our leadership. I pray for Allah’s guidance and direction as we set out to work for the greater good of our dear State and the Muslim world as a whole,” Atere added.