Mushin Celebrates KOH’s Birthday with Religious Leaders, Disburses 50 Million in Cash and Foodstuffs
L-F: Oba of Odi-Olowo, Hon Ajala, Hon Adeyemi Alli, Senator Solomon, An Islamic Cleric and Hon Aruwe
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Mushin and Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Saturday marked the 62nd birthday of the Lagos State Deputy Governor and APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, with special prayer sessions involving Muslim and Christian religious leaders across the communities.
The birthday activities, organised under the leadership of the APC in Mushin and Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye, were held at four religious centres. The event was described as an opportunity to seek divine guidance and blessings ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dr. Hamzat, who was born on September 19, 1964, turned 62 on Saturday. The APC has officially identified him as its Lagos State governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The prayer sessions were held at Ilupeju Central Mosque, Ilupeju Road, Mushin; Ajumoni Central Mosque, Ajumoni Street, Mushin; Emmanuel African Church, Ijaye Street off Ogunmokun Oloosha, Mushin; and African Church Bethlehem Parish, 24/25 Akano Street, opposite City View Event Centre, Ilasamaja, Mushin.
The delegation moving across the four locations was led by former Lagos West Senator, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon. The delegation included the Deputy Director-General of the Lagos State APC Campaign Council, Hon. Rasaq Olushola Ajala; Hon. Adeyemi Taofeek Alli, member representing Mushin Constituency I in the House of Representatives; Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Tunbosun Haruna Aruwe; the Oba of Odi-Olowo, His Royal Majesty Oba Sikirulahi Olamide Williams Apena I; Vice Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon. Gbeminiyi Awodogan; Hon. Babatunde Kazeem; and Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, among other party leaders and stakeholders.
Speaking at the prayer sessions, Senator Ganiyu Solomon said the gathering was primarily to celebrate Hamzat’s birthday in a manner that reflects the importance of prayer, while seeking God’s guidance and blessings for the APC governorship candidate and the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Solomon, a former senator representing Lagos West and a member of the Lagos APC Governance Advisory Council, urged the religious leaders and members of their congregations to continue to pray for peace, stability and progress in Lagos State.
According to him, the occasion was not simply about marking a birthday, but also about bringing together people of different faiths to pray for the celebrant and the state.
“We are here to celebrate our brother, leader and candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, but beyond the celebration, we are here to pray. We want to commit his life, his family, Lagos State and the journey ahead into the hands of God.”
He appealed to eligible voters to exercise their civic responsibilities during the 2027 elections and support the APC candidates across the ballot.
“It is your right to vote. Exercise your civic right and vote for all APC candidates,” Solomon said.
He specifically called for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Hamzat and other APC candidates contesting the 2027 elections.
Solomon also urged the religious leaders to continue preaching peace and tolerance, stressing that political activities should not divide communities or undermine the existing relationship between Muslims and Christians.
Also speaking, Hon. Rasaq Ajala said the decision to organise prayer sessions rather than a conventional birthday celebration was deliberate.
Ajala, who is serving as Deputy Director-General of the Lagos State APC Campaign Council, said the occasion called for sober reflection and prayers because of the responsibilities ahead.
“This is not the right time for merrymaking. What we need now is sober reflection and to seek divine blessings for the enormous task ahead of us.”
He noted that Hamzat himself had not organised a conventional birthday party, saying the prayer sessions were designed to dedicate the celebrant, the party and the forthcoming political activities to God.
“We have come to the houses of God because we believe that every journey requires divine guidance. We are here to pray for Dr. Hamzat, his family, Lagos State and the assignment ahead.”
Ajala also appealed to the religious leaders to support the APC candidates and use their positions to encourage their congregations to participate peacefully in the democratic process.
“We appeal to our fathers and mothers in faith to continue to pray for peace and stability in Lagos. We also urge you to encourage members of your congregations to exercise their civic responsibilities when the time comes.”
He said the campaign would continue to engage communities and stakeholders across the state while emphasising peaceful mobilisation and participation.
As part of the birthday activities, the organisers distributed financial assistance and food items at the four religious centres visited.
Each of the four centres received ₦5 million, amounting to ₦20 million, alongside bags of 10kg rice.
The organisers also made additional cash and food-item distributions associated with the birthday programme, bringing the total value of the reported cash and food support to ₦50 million, according to the organisers.
The gesture was presented as part of the effort to extend the birthday celebration beyond political activities and provide support to members of the communities.
At each location, Muslim and Christian leaders offered prayers for Hamzat, his family, Lagos State and the country.
The religious leaders expressed appreciation for the gesture and pledged continued prayers for peace and good governance. They also assured the visiting APC leaders of their support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
