By Popoola Jamiu, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has pledged his administration’s support for capacity building initiatives targeted at the Arewa community in the state, saying the move is aimed at making them more resourceful and better integrated into society.
The governor gave the assurance when he received members of the South-West Arewa Community under the “Renewed Hope Agenda for Asiwaju 2027,” led by its Director-General, Alhaji Shehu Usman, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abeokuta.
Abiodun said his government would focus on human capital development programmes that would equip members of the community with skills to improve their livelihoods and prevent youths from being vulnerable to negative influences.
“We will ensure human capital development for our Arewa brothers so that they will not be used as tools for destruction. Whatever I can do as governor to support this initiative, I will do,” he said.
He stressed the importance of inclusion and engagement, noting that idle youths were more likely to be misled into antisocial activities.
The governor added that his administration would set up a team to work with the group to design development programmes that would benefit their members.
Abiodun also commended the Arewa community for promoting peaceful coexistence in the South-West and for supporting the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing their mobilisation efforts as consistent and impactful.
According to him, the integration between the Arewa community and indigenous groups in the South-West reflects the region’s openness and tolerance across ethnic and religious lines.
In his response, Alhaji Shehu Usman praised the Abiodun-led administration for its infrastructural development across Ogun State, pledging continued support for peaceful coexistence and political stability.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed the safe arrival of the second and final batch of 342 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims, comprising 190 males and 152 females, landed at the Prince Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, at about 2:06 a.m. Nigerian time before proceeding through immigration and onward to their hotels.
Leader of the delegation, Prince Shamsideen Apelogun, expressed gratitude to God for a safe journey and commended Governor Abiodun for supporting a smooth and well-organised pilgrimage exercise.
He urged the pilgrims to strictly observe the rules guiding the Hajj operations and assured them of adequate welfare support throughout their stay in the Holy Land.
Executive Secretary of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Taiwo Ajibola, also encouraged the pilgrims to use the spiritual exercise to pray for peace, stability and development in Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
Some of the pilgrims, including Alhaji Oyebode Samsideen and Alhaja Nosirat Akiko, pledged to be good ambassadors of the state during the pilgrimage.
Officials confirmed that members of the first batch had already moved to Makkah to continue the performance of the Hajj rites.