Sultan, Ilorin Emir, AbdulRazaq, others to commission Muhammad Kamalud-deen Varsity
By Saka Laaro, Ilorin
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alh Sa’ad Abubakar, Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Kano, Alh Aminu Ado Bayero and the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari are some of the dignitaries slated to grace the official commissioning of Muhammad Kamalud-deen University (MKU), Oloje-Ogidi, Ilorin billed to hold on Saturday.
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (the Baba Adini of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria) and Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu (the Iya Adini of Ansarul Islam Society) are also expected to attend the event.
Muhammad Kamalud-deen University, established by the Ansarul Society of Nigeria received accreditation from the National University Commision (NUC) on 9th June, 2023.
The pro-chancellor of MKU, Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem who addressed journalists on Wednesday on the preparations for the official commissioning of the institution billed to hold on Saturday, described the institution as a university with a difference as it will combine spirituality with sociality so that its products could benefit from this World and in the hereafter.
Extolling the virtues of the founder of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, the late Sheikh Muhammed Kamalud-deen Al-Adabiyy, the pro-chancellor said, “As a visionary leader, Muhammad Kamalud-deen spearheaded the integration of Western education into his Arabic and Islamic schools, thus modernising and standardising Arabic education in Nigeria.
“Despite opposition, he championed the teaching of English and introduced innovative tools like blackboards, tables and chairs. His steadfast pursuit of his social reforms, spiced by combining Arabic and Western education, has had a lasting impact, producing highly educated Muslims significant social standing.”
AbdulRaheem, who was flanked by the vice chancellor of MKU, Prof. Rasheed Jimoh and chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Engr Ahmad Ibrahim, recalled that seven decades after the establishment of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, and four decades following the establishment of Al-Azhar Institute, Sheikh Kamalud-deen envisioned the need for a university. In honour of his legacy, his disciples and Ansarul Islam members decided to establish Muhammad Kamalud-deen University.
“This endeavour marks the culmination of the Sheikh’s contributions to over 200 primary schools across West Africa, approximately 70 government-aided secondary schools, and numerous traditional Islamic schools. In support of the Al-university, Al-Azhar authorities in Cairo have pledged to send qualified lecturers to the Faculty of of Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, specifically, to the Arabic and Islamic Studies’ department.”
The pro-chancellor disclosed that following a resource verification exercise on 2nd October, 2023, the university has been approved to commence 15 programmes for the 2023/2024 academic session.
He appreciated the moral and financial contributions of the Emir of Ilorin and chancellor of MKU, Governor AbdulRazaq, former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Alh Abdulfatahi Sanni, Alh AbdulRasheed Oyekan and Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu to the development of the university.
