The Council of Islamic Preachers has identified the importance of good moral and religious teachings as a key solution to the persistent communal conflicts between the Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun communities in Osun State. The organization made this statement after a Communal Conflict Resolution Dialogue, held in partnership with the State Amir and National Deputy Amir, Imam Abdullahi Olohunlomerue.
A communique issued after the dialogue emphasized the need for fostering mutual understanding and rebuilding fractured relationships as a path toward lasting peace. The event, which brought together Islamic scholars, community leaders, representatives of the affected communities, political stakeholders, and government officials, proposed several strategies for ensuring harmony and peaceful coexistence among the three communities.
Participants expressed their determination to end the crisis and were supported by the state’s Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence. Imam Olohunlomerue highlighted the critical role of Islamic preachers in promoting peace, urging them to take on the moral responsibility of guiding their communities toward unity and reconciliation.
Keynote speaker Sheikh Muhammad Jamiu Oloko also spoke at the event, stressing that Islamic scholars should demonstrate patience, fairness, and wisdom. He urged clerics to speak out against injustice and continuously advocate for peace, emphasizing the need for cooperation among religious leaders and the importance of putting aside personal egos for the greater good.
Governor Adeleke, represented by his Special Adviser Alhaji Munirudeen Raji, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring peace in the affected areas. He emphasized that identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators was crucial and reiterated that bringing peace to these communities remained a top priority for his administration.
