By Olamilekan AbdulQayyum
* Launches 318-page book on past notable scholars in Southwest
* We’ve been a guiding light for educational enlightenment, spiritual growth for 50 years: Rector
Ibadullahi Islamic Schools, a renowned institute of Arabic and Islamic learning in Nigeria, has commenced a three-week grand celebration to mark its golden jubilee.
The festivities kicked off on December 6th with an impactful two-day academic conference under the leadership of Sulaiman Yusuf Adewuyi, the Rector/Director of the institute.
Eminent scholars from across the country gathered to present papers on dawah (Islamic propagation) in Southwest Nigeria, focusing on the exemplary lives of pivotal figures like Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilori, founder of Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Agege; Sheikh Kamaldeen Al-Adabi, founder of Kamal School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin and Sheikh Yusuf Adewuyi, who founded Ibadullahi five decades ago.
Sheikh Adewuyi’s son, Sheikh Sulaiman, who is the Director of Ibadullahi, underscored the school’s unwavering commitment to guiding light for educational enlightenment, moral development, and spiritual growth.
He emphasised, “Our mission extends beyond simply imparting knowledge; we strive to mould individuals who excel in Islamic teachings and Arabic proficiency while possessing the skills to contribute to society meaningfully.”
Dr. Abdulwāsii Idrees, an alumnus and lecturer from the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic, chaired the conference.
During the event, he unveiled a momentous 318-page booking in honour of Sheikh Yusuf Adewuyi and the commemoration of the golden jubilee.
Muslim News gathered that the book aims to capture the efforts and contributions of notable scholars in Southwest Nigeria over the past decades, reawakening the rich heritage of past Muslim scholars in terms of scholarship, morality, and dawah.
“By building on their efforts, the book aims to reawaken the heritage of the past Muslim scholars to Islamic Scholarship, moral tenets and dawah, which is Islamic propagation,” he said
Other activities set aside for the celebration include a Special Jumah service led by Professor Jamiu Otuyo, a former lecturer of Sheikh Sulaimon Yusuf in Mauritania and a current lecturer in Al-Hikmah University; public lecture on Steadfastness by Sheikh Imran Abdulmajeed Eleha was held on Friday, December 8 and honorary lectures in memory of Sheikh Ahmad Many Many and Sheikh Abubakri Makanjuola, who were both teachers of Sheikh Yusuf Adewuyi, were held on Sunday, December 10.
The major highlight of the second week of celebration was the Sheikh Sulaimon Yusuf Adewuyi Day in honour of the present Mudeer of the Madrasah.
The event featured inter-school quizzes and debates alongside presentations from the school alums.
The second week’s activities ended with Omupo Day, honouring scholars from Kwara State such as Sheikh Abubakri Makanjuola and Sheikh Muhammadu Awwal, among others with a lecture delivered by eminent Sheikh Daud AbdulMajeed Alfa Nla.
Muslim News gathered that the climax of the Golden Jubilee celebrations commenced on Monday, December 18, attended by eminent scholars.
Eminent scholars like Sheikh Ibrahim Saheed Olawunmi, Sheikh Ridwanullah Mustapha Zuglool, and Sheikh Thaoban Adam Al-Ilori would grace the occasion with lectures and presentations on Saturday and Sunday, December 23-24, at the institute’s premises at Amukoko and Surulere Local Government Secretariat, Masha, Surulere, Lagos, respectively.
As Ibadullahi Islamic Schools marks its 50th anniversary, it reaffirms its legacy as a leading Islamic institution in Southwest Nigeria, nurturing generations of well-rounded individuals grounded in faith, knowledge, and morality.
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