Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, a prominent member of the Oyo State Muslim Community (MUSCOYS), congratulates the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fadilatul Sheikh Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, as he marks his first anniversary in office on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
He described Sheikh Akeugberu as a man of honour, a bridge-builder and a long-awaited blessing to the Muslim Ummah.
According to him, the first year of Sheikh Akeugberu in office records remarkable achievements, purposeful leadership and far-reaching impact on the Muslim Ummah.
In a congratulatory message made available to newsmen, Agunbiade said the anniversary was not merely a celebration of twelve months in office but an opportunity to recognise the remarkable strides, influence and contributions of a religious leader whose emergence had rekindled hope and renewed confidence among Muslims in Oyo Land and beyond.
According to him, the impact of the Grand Chief Imam’s first year in office is comparable to the achievements of a decade, considering the level of engagements, visibility, institutional relationships and positive developments recorded within such a relatively short period.
He noted that Sheikh Akeugberu’s emergence as Grand Chief Imam was greeted with considerable expectations by Muslims who had long anticipated a leadership capable of providing purposeful direction, strengthening unity and advancing the collective interests of the Ummah.
He observed that the Grand Chief Imam began demonstrating his leadership capacity almost immediately after his emergence, particularly through his engagements with prominent Islamic authorities and respected Muslim institutions across the country.
He recalled that within the month of his emergence, the revered Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, accorded him a warm reception, describing the development as an early indication of the recognition, respect and acceptance his leadership commanded within the Nigerian Muslim community.
He further stated that Sheikh Akeugberu’s influence has since transcended the boundaries of Oyo State, extending across the Southwest and the Nigerian Muslim Ummah at large through strategic engagements, religious leadership and meaningful relationships with prominent Islamic personalities.
Describing him as a man of honour, dignity, wisdom and exceptional leadership disposition, Agunbiade said the Grand Chief Imam had continued to demonstrate that religious leadership goes beyond occupying an exalted position. Rather, it requires selfless service, inclusiveness, courage, humility and an unwavering commitment to the welfare and unity of the faithful.
He commended the Imam’s ability to engage Muslims across different ideological orientations, stressing that the office of the Grand Chief Imam carries the responsibility to unite rather than divide, build bridges rather than erect barriers, and provide purposeful direction for the entire Muslim community.
“The Grand Chief Imam is a man whose emergence many Muslims had anticipated with great expectations. Alhamdulillah, barely one year into his administration, his impact has given renewed meaning to those expectations.
“His first twelve months have demonstrated what purposeful leadership can achieve when experience, wisdom, influence and commitment to the Ummah converge. Indeed, one year of his leadership has produced what could ordinarily take a decade to accomplish.
“His contributions are not restricted to Oyo Land. His growing relevance and engagements have continued to benefit Muslims across the Southwest and Nigeria as a whole. This is a testament to the importance of the office he occupies and the responsibility he has embraced,” Agunbiade stated.
He urged Muslims to continue supporting the Grand Chief Imam, praying for him and cooperating with his leadership, noting that the progress of the Muslim Ummah requires collective responsibility, mutual understanding and sincere commitment from all stakeholders.
Congratulating him on the milestone, Agunbiade prayed that Almighty Allah would continue to grant Sheikh Akeugberu sound health, wisdom, strength, sincerity and divine protection to discharge the enormous responsibilities of his office.
He also prayed that Allah would make his tenure a period of lasting unity, spiritual advancement, institutional development and greater recognition for Muslims in Oyo Land, the Southwest and Nigeria.
“May Almighty Allah preserve our revered Grand Chief Imam, increase him in knowledge and wisdom, protect him from every form of distraction and grant him the ability to serve the Ummah with sincerity throughout his tenure.
“May the years ahead be even more productive than the first, and may every effort he makes in the service of Islam and humanity become a source of everlasting reward in the Hereafter,” he added.
