The Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has revealed that Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa was chosen as the new Grand Mufti of Ilorin for his contributions to Islamic propagation and community development.
While speaking with Muslim News through his spokesperson, Ayyub Arowoye, the Emir also noted that Sheikh Onikijipa was considered fit for the title for his loyalty to the emirate council and general acceptance among Muslims.
He explained that the appointment of the Grand Mufti like other emirate titles is the prerogative of the Emir’s office. He also added that the title is for honour and not contested.
“There is no procedure. The power to select anybody is basically vested in His Royal Highness. So, it is his discretion. But everyone knows Sheikh Onikijipa as a world-class scholar and a forthright Islamic Scholar, and somebody that preaches Islam to the generality of the Muslim ummah. So, there is no procedure or test whatsoever. The title is not of contest; it is purely of honour,” Arowona told Muslim News in an exclusive chat.
He noted that the Emir expects Sheikh Onikijipa to sustain the longstanding achievements of his predecessors and foster peace and unity among the Muslim ummah in the emirate.
“There is no goal set for him apart from functioning as his predecessors have done. We’ve had Sheikh Kamalideen, Sheikh Apaokagi and Sheikh Safiyullahi. He’s just to emulate and sustain the longstanding achievements that others have put in place to relate with the entire cleric within the emirate in order to foster peace and unity amongst themselves.”
He advised the new title holders to live up to standard, try to justify the confidence reposed in them by His Royal Highness and ensure to carry the people of the emirate along in their operations so that the Ilorin emirate and Kwara State at large will be better for it.
