An overwhelming number of netizens, including renowned security expert and author, Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, participated in the Muslim News Ramadan Quiz which was conducted yesterday on all our social media handles.
As part of the series celebrating the Ndigbo Muslims in the blessed month of Ramadan, we asked for the names of five prominent Igbo Muslims, but got 10 influential ambassadors of Islam from the South-East of Nigeria, after careful confirmation of their identities.
1. Sheikh Abdullahi Adam Idoko:
He is the Chief imam of the University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka. Hails from Ogute Enugu-Ezike in Nsukka, Enugu State. He is also the Deputy secretary-general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
2. Ustaz Christian Isah Okonkwo:
He is from Akpugo in Nkanu LGA, Enugu State, embraced Islam as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He was the president of Muslim Corpers Association in Kaduna State and the Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria. He was made the chief Imam of University of Ibadan in the 1980s. He was the Director of Administration of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
3. Alhaji Abdulaziz Chibuzo Ude:
Hails from Anambra state. He is described as a businessman, Industrialist, Billionaire and a Philanthropist. He was an acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of NEWSWATCH in the 1980s. He is the founder of Nok Publishers and first African editor at Double Day.
4. Alhaji Daud Onyeagocha:
He is from Imo state, a human right lawyer. He is the Chief Imam of Imo State and the Waziri Hausawa. His grandfather was said to be the first recorded Owerri man to embrace Islam in 1908.
5. Sheikh Daud Nwagui:
He is from Afikpo in Ebonyi State. He is a Muslim from birth and the son of late Sheikh Ibrahim Okpani Nwagui, the founder of the Islamic Center, Afikpo who brought Islam to Afipko in 1958.
6. HRH Dr. Abdulfatai Emetumah:
He is the Igwe (Traditional ruler) of Umuofor Kingdom, Oguta LGA , Of Imo state. He is described as an Islamic scholar. His father, Eze Alhaji Abdul Gaffaru (Ezeodo, Eze Ohazurukwe I of Akabor) is said to have embraced Islam during the war and thereafter brought it to his home town.
7. Sheikh Shehu Uthman Anaga:
Hails from Ebonyi state. Became a Muslim at the age of 13 in 1972. He has worked with JNI as a Preacher. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from the King Sa’ud University in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. He was the vice principal and later principal of of Jama’atu Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies. He was the provost of the Jama’atu College of Education, Kaduna. He has completed his Masters and is pursuing his PHD.
8. Alhaji Yahaya Ndu:
He is from Ezeagu LGA in Enugu State. An Imam at Al-Hauda Muslim School. He was the presidential Candidate of the African Renaissance Party (ARP).
9. Ustaz Aminu Igwebe Odera:
He is from Orlu in Imo state. Converted to Islam at the age of 12 in the 1970s. Studied Islamic studies and later Food science technology in Tripoli University Libya. He was the chief Imam of Owerri. He was appointed the director of Administration of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in 2000. His maternal uncle, Late Muhammad Ukaba was the chief imam of Orlu Local Government.
10. Chief Abdulkadir A Obiahu:
He is from Afikpo in Ebonyi state. He is an Engineer by Training, in 2007 he was conferred the Chieftaincy title of ‘Onye Nchekwa Okwukwe Ala kuba Na Ala Igbo’ (The Defender of the Islamic Faith in Igbo land) by His Royal Highness, Eze Nwosu Ibe, the Ezeigbo I of Abuja. He converted to Islam in 1982.
OTHERS: Sulieman Emeka, Aliyu Emekoma, Alhaji Mohammed Obasi Chukwu, Arinze Ahmed Okafor, Alhaji Ahmed Iyke Ozurumba, Emeka Rabiu, Alhaji Chukwuemeka Ohajimadu, Bro Mohammad Mbonu and Hajia Aishat Obi, who became a social media sensation in 2017 after announcing her conversion to Islam with a powerful message enjoining fellow convertees and by extension, the generality of Muslims to dedicate more time to learning and understanding Islam.
According to Aishat, “Islam has come to stay in Igbo land the same way Christianity and other religions came, and there is nothing anybody can do about that because God has already signed it long before I was even born.”
Additional information from mynationnews.com
Mashallah
Masha Allah, but you never mention Sheikh Salihu Okenwa PhD an Islamic scholar who was a director with National Hajj Commission.
Salam! I know bro Isah Okonkwo back at University of Ibada late because MSSN Amir and not Ui chief Imam. He also converted while at the Muslim secondary school at Afikpko and not while serving as as
copper.
Col Emekuma former imam Nigerian defence Academy kaduna
Lt col Bashir Ossai
Maj Habib mbe
Lt col use
Lt col wandiscas all of the Nigerian Army
I accidentally came across this and was delighted to know there are Igbo Muslims. May the almighty Allah bless you all, ameen.
Iram
May Allah show His mercy to Igbo land and give chance to Islam to enter Igbo land in full
Masha Allah. gradually islma will be dominate entire ndigbo land Insha Allahu rabbi