• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has revealed that he was divinely inspired to build a mosque and name it after the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the mother of Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The cleric, speaking recently in an interview with The Nation as he commissioned the mosque, said his gesture is aimed at promoting interfaith harmony and unity between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. "I am not a Muslim, and for a Christian leader like me to build a mosque means a lot. God told me that I can do a lot in this country. Many pastors discriminate between Christians and Muslims, but I do not disagree with any religion," Ayodele said. He explained that God assured him the necessary resources for the project would be provided. Initially, Ayodele considered naming the mosque after prominent individuals, including traditional and international figures, but later changed the decision following divine guidance. "Personally, when I was building it, I had other names in mind. I wanted to name it after some notable personalities, including friends and traditional rulers. But God later told me that I must start inter-religious activities and use the mosque to promote unity," he said. Ayodele eventually chose to name the mosque after President Tinubu's mother, noting that the President's daughter is a humble and respectful personality who supports interfaith engagement. He dismissed suggestions that the gesture was intended to curry favour with the President. "Building the mosque and naming it after the President's mother does not mean I will not speak the truth. If the President does anything wrong, I will still say it. I am not asking the President or his daughter for money. Nobody contributed to the mosque," he said. The cleric stressed that the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen interfaith relationships and counter religious divisions in the country. "Our aim is to strengthen interfaith relationships, promote love among religions, and show that we all serve one God. God does not say that because you are a Muslim or a Christian, you cannot come to heaven," Ayodele said, calling for peaceful coexistence among religious groups. He added that the mosque has already become a platform for humanitarian activities, including food distribution during Ramadan, aimed at supporting the less privileged and fostering unity across religious lines. Ayodele emphasised that the initiative is not about recognition or awards but about fulfilling what he believes is a divine mandate to promote peace and religious harmony in Nigeria. Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/?p=2260170