Imam Haruna

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Imam Adesina Haruna (Born December 26, 1926) is a Farmer, Businessman, Religious and Community leader. He is considered to be the first person to perform Hajj amongst the Okun people of Nigeria. He is an Imam of his people and a prince of the Itaji Ruling house of Ogidi. He had traditional Islamic education and is literate in Yoruba. He established, in concert with jamah musulumi Ogidi, a Muslim primary school for the community in Ogidi as well as Muslim places for worship. He places a high premium on education and works tirelessly to see that children are educated while retaining their faith in Allah. He worked in concert with Muslim leadership in Okun speaking areas of Kogi State to established a Muslim Secondary School (JNI Secondary School in Ife-Olukotun), as well as, with the Muslim leadership in the old Kwara State to establish one in Ilorin (Ansarul Islam secondary school, Ilorin). He sees to the upkeep of Orphans, children, the old and needy. He works actively with Ogidians to realize self-help projects such as, establishing two secondary schools in Ogidi and the connection of the town to the national electricity grid for power supply. He took a pass on becoming the Oba, preferring to remain Imam of his people. He has acted as kingmaker in Ogidi and Ijumu - facilitated the enthronement of the last Oba of Ogidi and the current Oba of Ijumu. He counsels Kings and public office holders on good governance, as well as mankind on correct relationship with Allah based on Islam. He is a true democrat who was active in politics in the 60s through the 80s, rallying his people to enthrone democratically elected governments in Nigeria's first and second republics. He personally travelled to Lagos in early part of the 60s to convince Chief S.A Ajayi to take on the representative of his people at Kaduna, that led to his becoming Okun peoples' first Federal Minister. He preaches Justice, Fairness, Tolerance and peaceful co-existence. He is on the board of many religious and charitable organizations. He is married with children and grandchildren. He lives in Ogidi, Nigeria and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.