THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2012
25
PEOPLE THE NATION
AN EIGHT-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY
Lagos has a new Seriki Musulumi. He is Alhaji Nurudeen Alamu Shitta-Bey, who was turbaned and presented his staff of office last Sunday.AMIDU ARIJE was there.
•Shitta-Bey (middle) being decorated by Sheikh Akinola.
O
N Sundays, traffic is always light on Nnamdi Azikiwe Street in the heart of central Lagos between Monday and Friday. It is not unusual to find youths playing soccer on the free road, with a crowd cheering them. But it was a different story last Sunday. The road was jampacked with choice cars as Muslim faithful gathered at the Lagos Central Mosque for the turbaning of Alhaji Nurudeen Alamu Shitta-Bey as the seventh Seriki Musulumi of Lagos. By 9.30a.m the Shitta-Beys and their friends had arrived for the ceremony scheduled for 10am. Historically, the Seriki Musulumi title is reserved for the Shitta-Bey family. According to the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez Abou, “The appointment of Seriki Musulumi of Lagos is restricted to the family of Shitta-Bey of Lagos whose house is solely to select the candidate and present same to the Executive Council of the Lagos Central Mosque for official appointment”. The title, he added, was bequeathed to the Shitta-Bey family for the significant contributions of its patriach, the late Alhaji Muhammed Shitta to Islam. Shitta, he said, built the first historic mosque in Lagos. Bey was added to his name when he was given a title in Turkey for his support for Islam. “The origin of Seriki Musulumi of Lagos was by Alhaji Muhammed Shitta-Bey who was made Baba Jammah until when the title of Baba Jammah was changed to Baba Adinni. Alhaji Muhammed Shitta-Bey merited the titles of Seriki and Bey at home and abroad, the position was that one leads to the other, it was the latter that leads to the former. Alhaji Muhammed Shitta-Bey made
Seriki Musulumi in crowd pulling show significant contributions towards Islam in those early days. The singular role played by him caused the Turkish government to honour him with the title ‘Bey’ which became an eye opener for the Muslim community of the then Lagos to bestow on him the title Seriki Musulumi of Lagos,” he said. The event was anchored by Alhaji Razak Gawat. It was a spiritual ceremony where the Quran was recited. The Shitta-Beys radiated joy. The Seriki Musulumi was all smiles as he went round, greeting guests. He was turbaned by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Ibrahim Garuba Akinola, assisted by Sheikh Abou and others. dignitaries in performing the task. Shitta-Bey was also officially handed his staff of office; following which the guests hailed him Seriki Musulumi. From the mosque, the guests headed to Iga Idugarran, the palace of the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu for royal blessing. Oba Akiolu prayed for peace and harmony during Shitta-Bey’s tenure. They left the palace for the Oluwole playing ground opposite the Lagos Central Mosque for the reception.
The Ansaru-ud-deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN) singers wing entertained guests. The reception was chaired by former Lagos State Governor Alhaji Abdul Lateef Jakande,who charged the Seriki Musulumi to bring Muslim faithful together in the discharge of his duties. He prayed that Allah guides him aright. Because of the late Alhaji Muhammed Shitta’s exploits, in Turkey, emissaries from that country led by Zubayir were present at the ceremony. Alhaji Shitta-Bey promised to make an impact in the life of the people. He promised not to breach the trust reposed in him. In attendance were former deputy governor of Lagos Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, a representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Issa Jimoh Balogun, the Ajikobi of Ilorin; Alhaji H.A.B Fasinro; Karunwi III and Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; Secretary Lagos Central Mosque Alhaji Raji Adenowo; the Olori-Ebi of the Shitta-Bey family, Alhaja Hamdalat Kabiawu among others. •More pictures on page 26
•Shitta-Bey holding his staff of office