In the deceptive community of men, deserving individuals, patriots, and true heroes are honoured after their death by friends, foes, and those who are half-friends and half-enemies. I wish to depart from that tradition by writing this brief tribute to Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola. Professor Lakin, as he is affectionately known, means different things to different people in academia and in the field of Islamic activism. For the Muslim community in Nigeria, he is the personified jihadist and defender of the interests, symbols, and culture of Islam. To the human rights community, he is an advocate of justice, accountability, transparency, probity, fairness, and respect for the basic human rights of people, regardless of their religious and ideological leanings. For Christians, he is a valued partner in faith. Although Muslim in thought and practice, he extends his commitment to defending the personality of Christ and respect for Christians and Christianity in accordance with the Islamic principle of religious liberty and free will.
One of the world’s most renowned motivational speakers and leadership scholars, John Maxwell, said: “A leader is one who knows the way, walks the way, and shows the way.” I have had the unique privilege of meeting him in diverse religious, human rights, and political circles. He does not compromise on the truth; He eloquently and brilliantly communicates the truth without looking your face and not caring whose ox is gored! He is the most steadfast, focused, incorruptible, altruistic, consistent, and dogged activist in over three decades. The notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar said: “Everyone has a price, the important thing is to find out what it is.” Indeed, several human rights activists in Nigeria have compromised their ideals and ideologies for political and financial reasons. Oh! Lakin stays steady like the sun! He never allowed worldly achievements and political appointments to divert him from his ideals and philosophies.
Regarding his writing, the Nigerian Muslim community is eternally grateful to him for giving us a voice and defending our rights and interests before the Southwest media with a pathological hatred of Muslims and all things Islamic. The legendary Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu is right when he says: A leader is at his best when people hardly know he exists when his work is done, and his goal is achieved. Prof. Lakin is a role model and a pragmatic leader. Using social media platforms such as Facebook and mass email messages, he publishes a series of press releases expressing the positions and viewpoints of Muslims on national issues and government policies. Regarding the right of Muslim women and girls to wear hijab, he bravely fought against all anti-Islamic forces in public schools, WAEC, immigration service, embassies, JAMB, higher institutions, and other government agencies in Nigeria.
Regarding the blasphemy of Jesus Christ and other heavenly religions in films and films, Prof. Lakin always responds proactively, providing well-researched points and arguments to defend the personalities of all of God’s prophets. On anti-human and anti-religious draft legislation such as LGBT, forensic medicine/cremation, poorly articulated sex education, same-sex marriage and indecent dress in higher education institutions, Professor provided instructive and intellectually stimulating fact-based proposals, among other things, in press releases on these issues based on Islamic principles and human rights imperatives.
As for the Friday question, like all Muslims, Professor Akintola remains oppressed. He has always argued that Muslims are excluded and disadvantaged and miss weekends. Saturday historically belonged to the Seventh-day Adventists, Sunday to Christians, and Friday to Muslims. While the first two groups enjoy holidays under the guise of weekends, Muslims do not. Even the few hours Muslims are given for Friday Jumaat worship are abused by overzealous employers and Islamophobic organizations.
Professor Lakin Akintola is an activist par excellence and difficult to describe. He is an iconic figure, an octopus due to his multiple roles in Nigeria’s complex social landscape. He discusses politics better than a politician; he represents better interests than lawyers and advocates; He understands case law and its applications better than self-proclaimed muftis on social media platforms. That’s why he’s rarely seen involved in unnecessary polemical debates and hate campaigns on social media platforms.
According to Napoleon Bonaparte: A leader is a merchant of hope. This statement fits Professor Lakin Akintola, judging by his method of making public corrections and challenging opponents. He had reason to challenge Professor Wole Soyinka, Cardinal Okogie, Reverend Hassan Kuka, and many anti-Islam elements. His use of language and methods of refutation are legendary, inspiring, and motivating!
Like thousands of your fans, I duly registered for your book launch, but I can’t be there. Happy retirement, mentor! I wish you a fruitful retirement. Age gracefully and graciously. I remain your boy, friend, brother and comrade in Islamic activism, Dr. Lukman Raimi, former Amir of the Muslim Congress and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Universiti Brunei Darussalam in Brunei, Southeast Asia.
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