•On New Title As Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi Of IBADAN Land
On Saturday, 14the January, 2023, the MD/CEO of Amron Group, Arc (Dr.) Hassan Olawale Giwa and his wife, Alhaja Khadija Omolara Giwa were turbaned as Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Ibadanland and Iya Alaranse Adini Musulumi of Ibadanland, respectively.
The colourful event didn’t only attract top personalities in the Islamic circle, but also all the who-is-who in Politics and the society generally.
The Central Mosque, Oja’ba, Ibadan, venue of the turbaning ceremony was filled to the capacity. It was done by the Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Shiekh Abdulganniy Agbotomokekere.
Reception and entertainment of guests followed at Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan.
Among the personalities present at the event were the 2023 governorship candidate of Accord in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; Oyo South Senatorial candidate, Chief Kolapo Kola-Daisi; former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekambi, a renowned Islamic preacher, Shiekh Muhydeen Bello among others.
Speaking with City People’s Correspondent, DARE ADENIRAN, on the new tittle, Giwa said becoming Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Ibadanland is a call to service. He also explained why he accepted the title, as well as how it would impact on his spiritual, political and private life. Hassan Giwa is a real estate developer and a philanthropist. He is the brain behind Hassan Olawale Giwa (HOG) Foundation. A foundation that has touched several lives in Ibadan and Oyo State generally. Read the Excerpts from the very brief but interesting interview.
You were recently turbaned as Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Ibadanland, how does that make you feel?
One of the adits of Muslim says “ you will be asked that what position did you meet Islam and what was your contribution”. Based on that, it is very important that I need to play my role. I need to contribute my own quota. However, just like I used to tell people that it’s not actually the rich people that reach out to people or that try to touch lives. It is the people with good hearts, and I believe I’m one. So becoming Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Ibadanland is to add to what our leaders in Islam have done. I just want to contribute my quota.
Will the new title change anything about you?
I don’t think that will change anything politically and in my private life.
What do you think was responsible for your nomination as Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Ibadanland?
Well, I believe it’s destiny. I used to tell people that whatever you would become in this life has been destined by Allah. That is the way I see it. Because I don’t want to due more on the fact that one has been contributing to the society, to the growth of Islam at large. It is not limited to that. I think basically it’s because it has been destined. A lot of people are also supporting at the grassroot within the community. Which I have been doing for like sixteen years now.
Tell us about the things expected of you with this your new title?
It’s just to bring a major change. Let me say a game changer. Yes, we’ll still continue on that cadre, platform of putting smile on faces of people. And at the same time to make sure the Muslims come together as one and for them to be more conscious than before. By the time you are propagating, reaching out to them through Da’wah, they will be able to pick some of these things to learn and relearn in whatever they used to know as regards this. Because we need to be positive, we need to believe in the growth of Islam in this country and in Ibadan as a whole. That is what I think being the Asiwaju will bring. To bring all the Muslims together under one umbrella. As a matter of fact, we are just coming here to add to what our fathers have been doing.
And in what way do you think this will impact your spiritual life?
Definitely. I’m there now as the Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Ibadanland. Definitely you live by examples. There is an adit in the Quran which says “In the Prophet you find the best example. So if you make that as your mirror, you can never get it wrong. Be following the Quran and Sunnah so that you can propagate and spread the word of Islam. So the people can pick what is necessary and the society can become a better place.
Is this novel to you or you have been given such title in the past?
Not exactly. Back to when I was in secondary school I was the Chief Imam. When I was in the university, I was one time deputy PRO then later PRO of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN). I also became the Chief Organiser of the Association of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. So within my community cadre and some other circles I have been actively involved. Anything that would definitely bring positive change to my community is the something that will interest me the most.
Lets go into your political life now, you are one of those who were denied APC tickets and later moved to Accord. What really happened?
Well, all the while people know what I stand for and I usually tell anyone who cares to listen that if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.
They know that I’m principled and I won’t cut corners. Because if you try to cut corners that will also cut you short. So whatever I can do today I won’t leave it till tomorrow. I’m a very sincere person, not a desperate politician. Rather I’m a desperate democrat, which means I want things to be done right. Politics, for me, didn’t just come. I have been running my foundation for the past 17 years, trying to reach out to people, the less privilege, youths etc. So through that I was encouraged to join politics. In other to have a larger platform and to be able to do more for the people. Even though It wasn’t so encouraging along the line because it’s not really in line with my principles. Because when I tell you it’s in the morning it should be in the morning. I want things to be done straight. I won’t say what I won’t do, and people know me for that. It’s sad that people have formed the habit of reaching out to people every three years. When it’s a year to election, that is when they will be reaching out. They are just joining politics for their pockets. I can bet it with you that come June, July you won’t get to hear from many of these people, in terms of support to people from them, whether they lose or win elections.
Are you implying that your political ambition is being frustrated by things you have experienced?
Not exactly. I don’t belong to the school of thought ‘if you can’t beat them join them’. And that is what takes me to if you don’t stand for something, you fall for anything. I’m not being frustrated because am still in politics. But I don’t just go for anything. I think at the right time it would come.
How then have you been surviving the murky water of politics with this kind of your principles?
What I actually believe is that anywhere I found myself I do things right. And I believe gradually things will begin to change.
So you really see your future in politics?
I still see it. But I’m not desperate about it. Any kind of platform that I can actually reach out to people. And where I am now as Asiwaju Adinni Musulumi of Ibadanland I believe it would still give me a good platform to actually reach out to people and bring the change I also look for in Ibadan.
Do you think your faith and principles can see you through politics in Nigeria?
Yes, faith but not entirely. It is the principle that will pilot you in ways at which you can achieve the change.
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