Yesterday, Friday, March 20, 2026, 1st Shawwal 1447AH, history was made.
What began as a quiet dream, carried in pain and sustained by faith for many years, became a living reality as we observed the first Jumu’ah prayer at Aikulola-Aibinuomo Central Mosque, Olodo Garage, Olodo, Ibadan.
I am still overwhelmed. Deeply overwhelmed.
This moment is not just mine.
It belongs to the traders.
It belongs to the artisans.
It belongs to every hardworking soul who now has the opportunity to answer the call of Allah without fear of losing their daily livelihood.
To everyone who came out to pray, to my students, colleagues, friends, mentors, teachers, family, and former associates who travelled from far and near, thank you. Your presence was not just support, it was strength. It gave life to a dream that once lived only in my heart.
To those who sent messages, prayers, and words of encouragement, I appreciate you all deeply.
To my maternal uncle, his children, and grandchildren who came to stand in the place of my mother and pray with us, I can never fully express what that meant to me. In that moment, it felt as though a part of her was truly present. It touched a depth in my heart that words will never be able to reach.
To everyone who has supported, prayed, and donated, may Allah reward you abundantly. This would not have been possible without you. And to those still asking how to support, may Allah bless your intentions:
Account Name: Mogaji Aikulola-Aibinuomo
Bank: Opay
Account Number: 8132483940
I must confess this.
I truly wanted to say all of this in person. I prepared myself to be strong. I paused and tried to control my breathing. I switched languages. I adjusted myself. I slowed down my delivery. I did everything I could to hold myself together. I even tried to hide my emotions.
But in that moment, I realized that no strength can silence a heart filled with so much feeling.
Being human took over me.
The memories… the pain… the long journey… they all came rushing back at once. My voice failed me. The words would not come. And before I knew it, the tears began to fall.
I could not continue.
I had no choice but to end the speech.
That is why I have chosen this path to express my appreciation to you now.
To my father, to the Aikulola-Aibinuomo family worldwide, to the League of Imams and Alfas, to the Muslim authorities in Egbeda and Ajorosun, and above all to the memory of my beloved mother, this moment is yours. Every call to prayer from that mosque will carry your legacy.
Alhamdulillah.
May this mosque continue to stand as a place of peace, a place of prayer, and a source of continuous reward for all of us.
From the depth of my heart, thank you.
Barka de Sallah.
Yours,
Baba Adinni of Olodo Land,
Mogaji Aikulola-Aibinuomo I,
Musa.
PS: For those who wish to understand where this dream started, the pain behind it, and the journey to this moment, you can read the full story here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EGeW9JjET/
