(Infographics by AI)
The Muslim community in Ogbomoso has received a major Ramadan boost as renowned philanthropist and community leader, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu (FNSE), donated over N10 million in cash and food items to support religious activities and welfare programmes during the holy month.
Open Salawu, the Babalaje of Ogbomosoland, made the donation on the 13th day of Ramadan during a well-attended tafsir held at the Palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland in Ogbomoso.
As part of the support package, he distributed 100 bags of Semovita and N500,000 in cash to participants at the tafsir.
In addition, the Imam and other Muslim leaders in attendance received N1million to further strengthen religious activities within the community.
The highlight of the intervention was a N2million donation to the Ogbomoso Central Mosque Development Committee to support Itikaf — the spiritual seclusion observed during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Itikaf is an Islamic spiritual retreat during which worshippers dedicate themselves to prayers, supplications and recitation of the Qur’an, either within a mosque or, in the case of women, in a designated prayer space at home.
Open Salawu has been a consistent promoter of the Itikaf programme at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque since its inception.
As gathered, his financial contributions to the mosque’s development committee have steadily increased over the years, with N1 million in 2023, N1.2 million in 2024, N1.4 million in 2025, and now N2 million in 2026, which underscored his sustained commitment to the spiritual growth of the Muslim faithful in Ogbomoso.
Open Salawu, beyond direct donations to religious institutions, has continued to expand his Ramadan outreach through large-scale iftar programmes.
The Giwa Adini of Oyo, Saraki Adini of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogbomoso and Environs, and Waziri Jari Nupe, has also been providing free iftar meals annually at three different locations across Ogbomoso.
In 2025, he sponsored 9,000 meals during Ramadan, which benefitted thousands of fasting Muslims. This year, organisers disclosed that the target has been raised to 10,000 quality iftar meals as part of efforts to reach more vulnerable residents and worshippers.
Community leaders at the tafsir commended the philanthropist for his dedication to Islamic causes and humanitarian service. They described his interventions as timely and impactful, especially in a period marked by economic challenges affecting many households.
Observers noted that Open Salawu’s sustained investment in religious development, welfare support and community feeding programmes has strengthened communal bonds and deepened spiritual engagement during Ramadan in Ogbomoso.
The donations, according to beneficiaries, will not only ease the burden on worshippers observing the holy month, but also enhance participation in the concluding rites of Ramadan, particularly the spiritually significant last 10 days.