The meeting presided over by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, and the current Grand Patron of the League, Sheikh Abdul Ganiy Agbotomokekere resolved as follows:
1. That the landmark contributions of the Imams and Alfas of Oyo State to the establishment and development of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland should be recognised, acknowledged and showcased to the future generations, while strongly frowning at attempts by a group of administrative body of the League to undermine the immense contributions.
The use of ‘Awon Baba Baba’ is not just belittling, but demeaning of remarkable contributions of our Alfas and Imams from Oyo state.
2. Members of Oyo state branch of the League called on the current administrators of the General League to retrace its steps, and focus on the lofty goals of the body. The members, in unison cautioned the administrative committee against deviations and personalisation of the League affairs as individual property. There should be cross fertilisation of ideas and inclusivity in all League’s activities. As a point of reference, the two poetic works inserted in the last conference were from Markaz students, leaving out likely contributions from other institutions.
3. The meeting also noticed some happenings: attempts to obliterate indelible roles, misappropriation of titles and downplaying the feats by many pioneer Imams and Alfas of Oyo state at the recently concluded League of Imams and Alfas conference held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state must be corrected with a view to forestalling future recurrence. To buttress this, urgent attention should be paid to correction of wrong portfolio assigned to the first President of the League’s Committee of Alfas and Teachers. Sheikh Murtadah Abdul Salam was its first President and not Sheikh Al-Muhali Al-Iwowiy. Sheikh Muhalli was the first financial manager of the League. I. The meeting rejects inadequate reverence and due recognition to Oyo state chapter for its innumerable giant strides. II. The chapter resolves that Imams and Alfas of Oyo state branch are Co-founders deserving of due respect, recognition, prayers and commendations for their efforts in physical and financial terms whenever issues concerning the League are discussed. They reject vehemently the practice of mentioning their names by passing.
4. Oyo state chapter of the league of Imams and Alfas has the credit of kick-starting membership mobilisation drive, maintaining the unity among Muslims in the region and beyond, thus paving the way for the establishment of the league in the Yorubaland. This feat should be accorded due reverence.
5. The chapter reserves the monopoly of initial point of consultation by Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory. According to authentic historical account, Sheikh Burhanuddin Sanusi Alaka Elesinmeta of Ibadan, His Eminence, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Muhali Abdullahi Basunu, His Eminence, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Rufai Muhammad Bello Oke-Aare, Ibadan and His Eminence Sheikh Salman Alawaye from Oyo town among others were the pioneers, who agreed to the formation of the league which was later birthed at Chief Imam Muhali Basunu’s residence in Ibadan.
6. The meeting notes that Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory affirmed this historical fact in his maiden speech as he acknowledged that Sheikh Alawaye and others as founding fathers, the mouthpieces and the banners for the existence and spread of the league to all parts of the Southern Nigeria.
7. Oyo State league of Imams and Alfas calls for zoning and rotation of leadership and the administrative positions on fixed term basis. This is to put an end to personalisation, sit tight or lifetime tenure of office in the league in the Yorubaland.
8. The pace setter chapter of the league advocates drafting of a functional and comprehensive constitution of the league, stipulating rules and regulations. The legal document is to also serve as useful document for corporate registration and guide against unilateral decisions and imposition of personal whims.
9. Oyo state league of Imams and Alfas suggests prompt registration of the league with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
10. The chapter stresses that by the rule of ascension, Oyo state is next in line to the position of Mufti and that the decision on the occupant will be consensual, not imposition without consultation.
11. At the gathering, graduates of Markaz, Agege were enjoined to shun rumour mongering and appeal to the Director of the institute, Sheikh Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory to shun divisive tendencies for the overall unity and oneness of the league.
12. Oyo state chapter of the league emphatically advises the current administrators of the league to, as a matter of urgency and necessity heed the reformative ideas as suggested therein and do the needful for the progress and development of the league in Yorubaland.
APPENDIX: For the purpose of clarity and to set the records straight, the following are to be noted for applicable corrections:
I. The first President of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland is Sheikh Ahmad Al-Muhali Basunu, who was the Chief Imam of Ibadanland.
II. The pioneer President of the Fatwa and Interpretation Committee is His Eminence, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Rufai of Oke-Aare, Ibadan.
III. The first President of the Committee of Alfas and Teachers of the old or new teaching system is Sheikh Murtada Abdul Salam Al-Mahadiy, Ibadan.
IV. The first President of the Dahwa and Guidance Committee is Sheikh Najmuddin Al-Kubra, Ibadan. V. The first General Supervisor of the League is Sheikh Burhanuddin Sanusi Elesinmeta from Ibadan.
VI. The first Supervisor of the League’s works is Sheikh Salman Alawaye from Oyo town, Oyo state.
VII. The first Muslim Leader in the League is the foremost philanthropist, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao, Ibadan. In terms of ensuring sustainability and continuity of the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland programmes, the following great personalities contributed in no small measure:
I. The third Mufti of the League, Sheikh Burhanuddin Elesinmeta, Ibadan.
II. The General Supervisor, Sheikh Mudathir Abdulsalam from Ibadan.
III. The fourth President of the League, Sheikh Shu’ara Busari Agbeni, Ibadan.
IV. The current Grand Patron of the League, Sheikh Abdul Ganiy Agbotomokekere, may Allah continue to protect and preserve him upon Islam and goodness. V. The current Muslim Leader, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States.
VI. Sheikh Abdul Kareem Rufai, Oke-Aare, Ibadan, Sheikh Abdul Haadi Bello Inakoju, Imam Alawiye Ogbomoso, Imam Iseyin, Imam Shaki, all from Oyo state worked relentlessly towards developing the League’s activities. RECAP OF NECESSARY CORRECTIONS:
I. Names of Imams and Alfas from Oyo state which were hitherto removed when talking about the establishment of the League should be re-inserted and regularly mentioned alongside the name of Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory.
II. The Ijebu-Ode conference had the colouration of exclusive Markaz affair. Formation of Committee for subsequent conferences should be all inclusive to entrench sense of belonging among members.
III. Sheikh Murtadah Abdul Salam was the first President of the Committee of Alfas and Teachers, while Sheikh Ahmad Al-Muhali Al-Iwowiy was the first Financial Manager of the League.
IV. Imam Yusuf Armiyaa Parakoyi of Ijebu-Ode was the second, and not the first President of the League.
V. Sheikh Burhanuddin Elesinmeta was among the scholars of Fatwa. His name should be included in the list of names of those who have worked for the development of the League.
VI. Committee of Alfas headed by Sheikh Murtadah Abdul Salam Al-Mahadiy should be included in the list of major contributors, specifically as former Directors of the League.
VII. Sheikh Salman Alawaye Al-Oyowiy ‘s name should also be included as one of the pioneers in the League.
VIII. Sheikh Burhanuddin Elesinmeta served as the first Supervisor of the League, thus his name deserves to be included in the list of those who have worked for the development of the League. In conclusion, quick resolution of the above highlighted points will be the prerequisite for united and stronger League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, and to the benefit of Islam and Ummah in general. Wa Salaam Alaykum wa rahmatu Llahi wa barakatuhU.
E-sign: Communiqué drafting committee,
Sheikh Taofiq Akeugbagold,
Sheikh Al-Fokowiy,
Sheikh Awwal Sulayman, Sheikh Al-Asaliy,
Sheikh Esa-Oke,
Alhaji Dawud Afolabi.
