The Muslim community of Iwo-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State has officially installed Sheikh Ibrahim Zakariyah as the new Grand Chief Imam, marking a significant moment in the town’s religious and communal history.
The installation ceremony, which took place at the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School in Iwo-Isin, attracted a diverse audience, including Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, community leaders, and political dignitaries from within and outside the state.
As part of the day’s activities, the community also launched a ₦1 billion development appeal fund aimed at building a state-of-the-art central mosque in Iwo-Isin. The initiative, according to organizers, is intended to boost the spiritual, educational, and social life of the Muslim Ummah in the area.
The Oniwo of Iwo-Isin, Oba Joshua Olutade, in his address, congratulated the newly installed Imam and called on him to lead with wisdom and dedication. He stressed the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among the people, urging the new spiritual leader to work closely with clerics and traditional authorities to sustain harmony in the community.
Also speaking at the event, the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede, described Sheikh Zakariyah as a young and vibrant scholar who has shown great promise in Islamic leadership. He expressed confidence that the new Imam would strengthen religious values and promote development across the Muslim community.
In his acceptance speech, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakariyah thanked the community for the confidence reposed in him and promised to discharge his duties with the fear of Allah, fairness, and commitment to communal growth. He called for the cooperation of all stakeholders in achieving spiritual and infrastructural progress.
Prominent Islamic figures at the ceremony included the Baba Adini of Iwo land, Alhaji Abdulraheem Babatunde Yusuf; the Balogun Adini of Iwo, Alhaji Abdulhaganiyu Dosunmu; and the Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muyideen Al-Imam. Representatives of various Muslim communities from Kajola, Ekiti, Oke Ero, Ora, Owu, and Irepodun were also present.
Among the dignitaries invited were Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the proprietor of Al-Hikmah University, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji. The Chairman of Isin Local Government, Hon. Jolayemi Benjamin, was also in attendance.
The historic event signaled a new beginning for the Muslim faithful in Iwo-Isin, with high hopes pinned on Sheikh Zakariyah’s leadership to guide the community toward greater unity, spiritual enlightenment, and socio-religious development.
