Why Nigerian Muslim Donated Modern 400-seater Assembly Hall to Nigeria’s Oyo Catholic Diocese

He praised the Church for saving lives and offering assistance through its medical and educational institutions, emphasizing that its grassroots efforts “do not discriminate against anyone.”

Raji urged Catholics, especially the youth, not to abandon the Church or succumb to the “japa” trend of emigration, which he described as a “scourge to the grassroots and our society at large,” depleting the manpower essential for societal growth.

He encouraged them to remain steadfast in their faith, value what they have, and “do as much good as they should,” spreading these values to others.

In his homily during the Mass which was celebrated after the blessing of the hall at St John the Baptist Catholic Church Isalu of Oyo Diocese, Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo is said to have termed the donation as an application of faith, urging believers to demonstrate their faith through actions that benefit “others.”

According to the report, Bishop Badejo also described the donation as a gesture for “interfaith relations” in the West African nation that is grappling with religious persecutions.

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 “While instructing others in virtue demands living a righteous life as good examples for others to see, it is as well important to help contribute to the progress of the society, in order to provide the resources needed for development and righteous living,” the report indicates.

According to Bishop Badejo, living righteously demands that faith be “brought to practical action, to help others to grow.” He says that this works even better when the relationship between different faiths “bears such positive fruits” like what Mr. Alhaji “has done for the Catholic community of Iseyin.”

The Bishop likened Mr. Alhaji’s kind donation to the biblical story of the Centurion whose kindness to the Jews in helping to build their synagogue, despite not being a Jew, “won him the favor of Jesus as a legitimizing episode.”

As Jesus healed the centurion’s servant, the member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication since his appointment in December 2021 is said to have “prayed that God bless Mr. Alhaji and his family and all such people of goodwill.”

He noted that the kind gestures of the Nigerian lawyer towards the Catholic Church are an “appreciation of the Church’s sacrifice and dedication to integral human development, solidarity and the common good.”

The Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, who doubles as the President of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS), an entity of the Symposium of Episcopal  Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) is also said to have challenged “all present to keep working for the good of their neighbors and the society without caring about race, creed or status.”

On his part, Archbishop Abegunrin, having earlier received the keys to the hall named after him, is said to have expressed delight at the honor done to him.

He recalled the warm reception he has consistently experienced in the Iseyin community, dating back to his days as a seminarian. He shared how, along with fellow seminarians, he would stop by to report to their Priests while traveling to his hometown of Iwere Ile in Iwajowa Local Government, Oyo State.

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