Apelogun made the remark on Wednesday while delivering a speech at the Ramadan lecture organized by the Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The lecture, themed “Jihad – The Path to Peace, Not a Call to Chaos,” attracted government officials, journalists, Islamic scholars, and other dignitaries.
Apelogun expressed gratitude to Allah for granting Muslims the opportunity to witness another Ramadan, which he described as a sacred period for spiritual renewal and discipline.
“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We thank Him for granting us the opportunity to witness another blessed Ramadan — a month of mercy, forgiveness, discipline, and spiritual elevation,” he said.
Apelogun noted that the concept of Jihad has often been misunderstood globally, with many wrongly associating it with violence and extremism. According to him, Islam teaches that Jihad fundamentally means striving for righteousness and moral excellence.
Explaining further, the ACOMORAN president said the greatest form of Jihad is the internal struggle against one’s own weaknesses and immoral tendencies. He quoted the teachings of Prophet Muhammad to emphasize the importance of self-control and patience.
“The strong person is not the one who overcomes others by strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger. Real strength — real Jihad — lies in self-control, patience, and moral discipline,” Apelogun said.
He also stated the important role journalists play in shaping public understanding, urging members of the media to uphold truth, accuracy, and responsible reporting.
“Words shape perceptions, headlines influence understanding, and narratives can either build or break communities. Misrepresentation of terms like Jihad can fuel fear and division, but accurate reporting can promote understanding and peace,” he said.
Apelogun added that the true form of Jihad in modern society includes striving against corruption, promoting justice and accountability, and speaking truth to power for the progress of society.
He stressed that Islam strictly prohibits violence and the destruction of innocent lives, noting that such acts contradict the teachings of the religion.
“Jihad is not chaos. Islam clearly forbids transgression. Any action that spreads terror, destroys innocent lives, or creates instability contradicts Islamic teachings. Jihad, when properly understood, is about reform, peace, and discipline,” he emphasized.
The ACOMORAN leader concluded by praying for continued peace and progress in Ogun State, while also seeking divine guidance for the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun and other government officials.
He commended the NUJ Information Chapel for organizing the lecture, describing it as an impactful program capable of enlightening the public and strengthening unity in the society.
Meanwhile, the guests lecturer and Chief Missioner, NASFAT Worldwide, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, drawing his lessons from Quran Chapter 22 V 78, stated that Jihad is not a "Holy War" as generally misconceived, but a strive in the path of Allah for a good course. The Imam added that the media must take up the challenge to educate the public.
"The media has to play the role of changing the narrative by disseminating facts at all times. Jihad is not violence as misconceived by people. It is a simple act of kindness to the needy to redeem them," he said.
