…As Yoruba Youths Celebrate Alani Akinrinade @ 82, Adebayo Williams @ 70

Sunday, the 3rd day of October, 2021, will remain memorable for both the Founder and Spiritual Head of Shafaudeen Islamic Organisation Worldwide, Prof Sabitu Olagoke, JP, his admirers and followers.

It was also a day that won’t be forgotten in a hurry in the history of Wakajaiye, Iyana Church, Ibadan, as Prof Sabitu Olagoke was bestowed a beautifully carved “Ajagun Esin Adinni Ti Ile Odu’a” Ori Olokun Yoruba National Award, at his World Class Mosque, Wakajaiye, Iyana – Church, Ibadan, Oyo State.

His decoration with the award by the Grand Council of Yoruba Youths was in the full glare of the members numbering hundreds and a reasonable number of Journalists.

While declaring the event open, Prof Sabitu Olagoke apologised for his inability to make it to Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Thursday, 23rd September, 2021, Venue of the Yoruba National Day, Yoruba Youths at 20 and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 69 Celebration, where he was to receive the Award.

According to him, it was due to the death of One of the key members of the Islamic Organisation, Dr Akinlade Sherifat, who passed on at the age of 51.

Prof Sabitu Olagoke also seized the opportunity to promise that he would continue to be on the same page with Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths) for the overall promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage as well as people’s welfare from Islamic perspectives, towards ensuring fairness, equity and justice in our land.

He added that he held the President General of the group, Comrade AWA Bamiji, in high esteem ever since and always saw the images of Chief Anthony, Prof Wole Soyinka, Enahoro, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, and other notable revolutionaries with untainted records of achievements in him.

After the open appreciation of those laudable contributions of Prof Sabitu Olagoke, JP, to the growth and development of Islam Worldwide, on behalf of the late leaderships of both Afenifere and Yoruba Council Elders (YCE) headed by Senator Abraham Adesanya; Chief Bola Ige and Pa (Arcdeacon) Emmanuel Alayande; Hon (Justice) Adewale Thompson respectively, all of whom jointly blessed the introduction of the Yoruba National Award conceptualised by Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, 20 years ago, inside Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan,Ibadan, Comrade AWA Bamiji, presented the Award to him.

He made the presentation alongside other members, including Otunba Babatunde Adeoye, Publisher, Westernlife online magazine; Salam Oyejide, the immediate past Senate President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a key member of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Oyo State, and popular Ibadan based Radio Presenter, Kabir Adesokan, a.k.a. Mr Speaker.

In his acceptance speech, Prof Sabitu Olagoke, JP, said he was ever ready, in partnership with Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, to ensure unity, peace and progress of Yorubaland as Shafaudeen Organisation Headquarters is located in Yorubaland and he, its Founder and Spiritual Head, is a Yoruba man.

In a statement signed by the President General of the group, Comrade AWA Bamiji, the Yoruba Youths “celebrate our Elderstatemen, Silent Achievers, NADECO and Afenifere leading members, General Alani Ipoola Akinrinade (Rtd) at 82 and Prof Adebayo Williams at 70.

“While the former is the former Chief of Army Staff between October 1979 – April 1980, whose contributions couldn’t be quantified during the Nigerian Civil war, in his humble efforts towards ensuring that the Country remains united, the latter is an Academic, erudite Scholar, Intellectual Superman, Novelist, Journalist and member of the Board of Directors, Vintage Press Limited, Publisher of the Nation Newspaper.

“You are both the shinning Stars of Yorubaland.

“We covetously bow for your exemplary achievements to gladly say Many Happy Returns as we celebrate your Birthday Anniversaries”, the statement by Comrade AWA Bamiji, the
Aare Apapo (President – General) of the Yoruba Youths concluded.