The spiritual leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Oke-Afa, Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has unveiled a newly constructed mosque he personally built and named after late Abibatu Mogaji, mother of President Bola Tinubu.
The commissioning was held on Saturday, February 14, as part of Ayodele’s yearly thanksgiving programme at his church headquarters in Oke-Afa.
The gathering attracted prominent figures across religious, political, traditional and entertainment spheres.
Among them were representatives of Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the president’s daughter, as well as a delegate standing in for Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas in his capacity as special adviser on Islamic affairs.
Addressing attendees, Ayodele said the mosque’s construction followed what he described as a spiritual directive.
“Building this mosque isn’t because I want attention or anything from anyone; it was a divine instruction that I cannot ignore,” he said.
“I am only answerable to God, so whatever anyone says doesn’t matter to me as long as God is pleased with me.”
He explained that the facility was established purely as a place of worship and not for personal gain, stressing that he would not be involved in its administration. The mosque was formally handed over to a Muslim cleric during the ceremony.
On the choice of name, Ayodele disclosed that the project was initially intended to bear the name Folawuyo Mosque before he altered it, citing further spiritual guidance.
He also rejected suggestions that the gesture was politically motivated or connected to his previous remarks about the All Progressives Congress, APC, and President Tinubu, maintaining that it was not done in pursuit of favours or appointments.
Several Islamic leaders present described the development as a notable example of religious harmony.
One cleric, who began his address with Christian hymns, referenced Proverbs 3:3 in praise of Ayodele’s action, stating that it demonstrated unity and pledging mutual goodwill.
A representative of the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division similarly commended Ayodele, comparing his name Elijah to a prophet mentioned in the Qur’an and urging Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence rather than religious conflict.
Comments