The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, has applauded the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization for sustaining the annual Ride for Peace campaign, urging them to make the 10th edition in 2026 “bigger, better, and more impactful.”
Speaking at the ninth edition of the Ride for Peace held in Lagos, Ogunlende, who stated that it was his fourth time participating in the initiative, commended the group’s consistency in promoting peace, unity, and interfaith harmony across the state.
“This is my fourth edition, and I’ve been doing this even before becoming Commissioner,” Ogunlende said. “There’s no better way to appreciate the love shown to me years ago than to continue being part of this movement now that I am in office.”
The Commissioner expressed delight that the event continues to attract wider participation, noting the presence of political and community leaders such as the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader, local government representatives, and members of the Lagos State Cyclists Association.
“It means we are getting bigger and better. That is what success and growth are about,” he said. “Next year, the 10th edition must be big, vibrant, and different. Lagos must set the pace and let others feel our impact.”
Reinforcing the message of the campaign, Ogunlende stressed that peace remains a vital foundation for development and governance.
“We can build all the roads and infrastructure, but without peace, everything will crumble,” he noted. “Let us continue to echo peace, love, and tolerance; love for all, hatred for none.”
He encouraged the youth to be good ambassadors of their faith and community, urging them to remain loyal, peaceful, and patriotic citizens.
Earlier, the President of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Lagos State, Saheed Adebayo, explained that the Ride for Peace initiative, now in its ninth year, was conceived to promote peaceful coexistence and demonstrate the true teachings of Islam.
“From the very first edition, our mission has been to ride for peace,” Adebayo said. “Islam means peace, and our slogan, love for all, hatred for none reflects that message. Every year, we take to the streets to show that Islam teaches unity, tolerance, and mutual respect.”
He added that the organization would continue to sensitize communities across Lagos on peaceful living and harmonious coexistence.
Also speaking, the National Assistant General Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria, Aremu Sodiq, representing the General Secretary, Hon. Abdujabbar Aiyelagbe, described the Ride for Peace as a practical way of engaging youths while spreading the message of peace.
“Nine years of riding for peace is not a joke,” Sodiq remarked. “The Ahmadiyya youth have consistently used sports especially cycling to take the message of peace and love to the grassroots. It’s a creative way to bring young people together and to showcase Islam’s true values.”
He urged Nigerian youths to embrace tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and non-violence.
“We cannot all worship the same way, but we must learn to respect one another,” he said. “Let people feel safe around you. Embrace peace, avoid violence, and support the government through lawful means. That is how we build a better society.”
The Ride for Peace campaign, organized annually by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization, is part of a global effort by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to promote unity, civic responsibility, and interfaith understanding.