It was a gathering of the crème dé la crème in the society when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Point Newspaper, Alhaja Lateef Oyeyemi Kolapo, was installed as the Iyalode Musulumi of Egbaland.
The title was conferred on her at the weekend by the authority of the Egba Muslim Council under the leadership of the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Saadullahi Bamigbola.
In an earlier installation ceremony held on Friday, January 12, 2024, Mrs. Kolapo was honoured by the Muslim people of her country home, Ijemo, as the Ameerah Musulumi of Ijemoland.
At her installation ceremony on Saturday as the new Iyalode Musulumi of Egbaland at Egba Central Mosque Kobiti, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mrs. Kolapo was described as a great pride of Egbaland.
People from all walks of life found their ways to Ijemo as the town stood still for Alhaja Kolapo, a former Group Business Editor of The Punch Newspapers.
Before Mrs. Kolapo was turbaned as the Ameerah Musulumi of Ijemoland, prayers were offered for the continued upliftment of the media guru who is loved by many.
On Saturday, the Egba Central Mosque Kobiti, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was filled beyond capacity by prominent political leaders, media personalities, corporate individuals, judges, scholars, popular Islamic clerics, business associates, families, friends and well-wishers who thronged the religious centre to witness the installation and celebrate Mrs. Kolapo, the Chief Executive Officer/Group Managing Director of Right Dev Limited.
The Governors of Ogun and Kogi States, Dapo Abiodun and Alhaji Yahaya Bello respectively, Senators and Commissioners from the two states, immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Tunji Sharafadeen Isola, Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr (Mrs) Ayoade Folashade, wife of a former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo, media gurus, top Nollywood actors, Muslim clerics and scholars across the country among many others added glamour to the event.
In his sermon, a Muslim cleric, Alfa Muhammad Taofeek Amolegbe congratulated the Iyalode Musulumi of Egbaland and described her as an achiever who takes after the devoutness and dedication of her father, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi, who is also a Chief in Egbaland.
Amolegbe, the Mufasiru of Egbaland, urged her to continue to be a coordinator of people around her, describing the title of Iyalode of Egba Muslims as a title meant for those who can manage others around them.
Torrents of congratulations, felicitations, goodwill messages
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, congratulated Mrs. Kolapo, saying she is a strong character with sterling leadership quality, adding that, “I am convinced that your wealth of experience, tenacity and focus will undoubtedly equip you to discharge the duty that this amazing title requires.”
Represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the Ogun State Governor said, “As the brand new Iyalode of Egba Muslims, I am confident that your wealth of experience and personal attribute, including courage, philanthropy, tenacity and focus will undoubtedly equip you to discharge the duties of this new role.
“The fact that you have been found worthy of this significant position among the Egba Muslim community should be regarded as an endorsement of your strength of character and sterling leadership qualities.
“The Egba Muslim community is sure to benefit from your invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment to service on this higher pedestal,” he added.
In his congratulatory message, Governor Yahaya Bello said Mrs. Kolapo has represented Egba’s spirit well wherever she goes.
Addressing Mrs. Kolapo, the governor said, “Your conferment with the prestigious title of the Iyalode of Egba Muslims shows that the Egba nation has not deviated from her age long tradition of rewarding excellence.
“You have represented the Egba’s spirit well wherever you go and you have brought to bear, your experience, expertise, brilliance and dedication to whatever you believe in. These have always put a green carpet under your feet.
“You deserve this magnitude and colour of celebration. You are an extraordinary being that Kogi will always want to identify with. You are Egba’s blessing to Kogi State and humanity.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Kogi State, I wish you a successful reign.”
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo noted that Kolapo’s recognition reflected her sterling leadership qualities that he has noticed in her over the years.
“Chief Olusegun Obasanjo noted that Kolapo’s recognition reflected her sterling leadership qualities that he has noticed in her over the years.”
“Congratulations, my daughter, on your installation as the lyalode of Egba Muslims today, Saturday, January 13, 2024.
“The recognition reflects the sterling leadership qualities that I have noticed in you over the years. I rejoice with you as a devout Muslim, a veteran journalist and a great pride of Egbaland.
“May your installation be filled with joy, love and unforgettable moments,” the former President of Nigeria stated.
Before reading Mrs. Kolapo’s citation, a gender-rights activist and daughter of late Bashorun MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the aborted June 12, 1993 presidential election, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Castelo, described the seasoned publisher as a woman of integrity and character who does not joke with her spiritual life.
She described Mrs. Kolapo as a kind and caring soul who is hardworking and ensured that people around her grow and become better in their respective means of endeavours.
In his goodwill message at Abeokuta Sports Club where Mrs. Kolapo was celebrated in grand style by the eminent dignitaries after the installation ceremony at the mosque, the National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Iziguzo, said her nomination by the Egba Muslim Council is a true reflection of her unwavering commitment to the cause of Almighty Allah and the propagation of Islam.
“I am not only celebrating your achievements in the realm of journalism and media consultancy but also recognizing the profound impact you have had as the distinguished publisher of The Point Newspaper.
“Your new role as Iyalode is a testament to your exceptional leadership and the high regard in which you are held within the community. I encourage you to continue your exemplary service in advancing Islam in Egbaland and Ogun State,” the NUJ President told the chieftaincy title holder.
A former Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning of Nigeria, Olusegun Aganga, said the conferment of Iyalode title on Mrs. Kolapo did not come to him as a surprise, as “I have always known you (Kolapo) for your strong faith and adherence to the tenets of the Islamic religion and its teachings as well as your passion to service.”
The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, while congratulating Mrs. Kolapo, said her recognition by Egba Muslim Council “is no small feat to be considered for a position as distinguished as the Iyalode of Egba Muslims, but I am not surprised you were nominated.”
Also, a former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, felicitated with the media consultant to the Kogi State Government, saying, “Your nomination for this chieftaincy title by the Egba Muslim Council is well-deserved and speaks volumes about your service and commitment to the course of the Almighty Allah (SWT) and the propagation of Islam.”
One of Mrs. Kolapo’s close friends, a popular Nollywood actor, Fathia Balogun, described the new Iyalode Musulumi of Egbaland as a God-fearing woman who has been her role model and strong supporter.
Kolapo’s father, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi, and children also took time to shower praises on their own, describing her as a caring daughter and loving mother.
Several others who spoke at the occasion described the new Ameerah Musulumi of Ijemoland as an accomplished communication strategist and devout Muslim who is deserving of the double titles.
Giving her vote of thanks, Mrs. Kolapo lauded personalities who graced the occasion, Egba and Ijemo people among others, urging Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the growth of the country.
