Oyo To Declare Hijrah Holiday From 2022
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that, starting from next year, the state government would declare Hijrah holiday, in line with the yearnings of the Muslim community in the state.
Makinde, who made the declaration during the celebration of the 2021 Mawlud Nabiyy at the Remembrance Arcade of the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, stressed the need for Muslim faithful and non-Muslims as well to continue to peacefully coexist.
The governor, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, equally declared that the state would always rise above the antics of perpetrators of evil, whom he said had tried all they could to plunge the state into chaos.
According to Governor Makinde, only peaceful and harmonious coexistence would lead the state and the country to greater heights.
He implored Muslim faithful in the state to emulate the peaceful way of life of the Prophet Muhammad by following his legacies, charging all residents of the state to live in oneness and be their brothers’ keeper.
On the request for Mawlud Nabbiyy holidays in the state, the governor said the request would be attended to at the appropriate time, saying: “Some are saying the governor does not want us to be celebrating Mawlud Nabbiy. That is not true.
“Last year, I believe we missed it. And when the Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs came to meet me that it will be nice to hold the programme this year, even despite the COVID-19 pandemic, I gave him the go-ahead.
“We agreed on the date to choose, which would be convenient for our imams, alfas and others and that was why we chose today. I even told him that it is better we are late on it than not holding the event at all.
“But now, we know what is right and the promise is, from this point forward, we will be celebrating the event at the right time.”
On the need to declare public holiday for Hijra celebration, Makinde said the discussion has been extensive and that he had, at a time summoned his Special Adviser on Economy and the Director-General of Oyo State Investment and Public, Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPPA) to brief him on the need for the holiday, adding that the matter could not be concluded at the end of the first year.
He, however, added that since the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland had raised the matter again, and following his consultation, which indicated that it was the wish of the people, he would declare the holiday from next year.
“For the first year, we could not have a landing. So, we continued with that discussion but since the Aare of Musulumi asked for it and because this is a government you put in place, we will be observing Hijra as a public holiday in Oyo State,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Mojeed Mogbonjubola, admonished Muslim faithful to emulate Prophet Muhammad, stating that the prophet used his lifetime to propagate and preach peace.
He further implored all residents of the state to support Governor Makinde efforts at promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.
Similarly, Sheik Adio Akilapa, who delivered the sermon, called on both Muslim faithful and believers of other religions to support the Makinde administration in achieving success.
