The Muslim Congress (TMC), FCT-Abuja chapter, has honoured three eminent Nigerians with excellence awards in recognition of their service to humanity and enthusiastic dedication in promoting Islam through their chosen professions and careers.
The three Nigerian Muslim personalities are Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the immediate former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Professor Lakin Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC and Alhaji Rasheed Abubakar, Publisher, Muslim News Nigeria.
The awards were presented to the trio during the TMC Annual Lecture held on Sunday, 6th October, at the Main Auditorium of the National Mosque, Abuja.
The lecture themed, “Building A Great Nation: Collective Responsibility of the Leader and the Led”, the 13th in the series, was attended by distinguished political leaders, scholars, the royals, and professionals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
@ProfIsaPantami receives a Special Award of Service to Humanity, presented by Justice Umar Abdullahi, former President of the Appeal Court, on behalf of "The Muslim Congress." pic.twitter.com/fXKk0HCrUX
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) October 7, 2024
It was chaired by Justice Umar Abdullahi, former President of the Appeal Court.
Citations of the awardees were read by veteran broadcast journalist and retired General Manager of NTA, Alhaji Ayinde Shoaga.
Prof Pantami, a renowned Muslim scholar was honoured with the Digital Ummah Excellence Award for his remarkable contributions to the nation and the Muslim world during his tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
The Waali of TMC FCT-Abuja chapter, Barr. Tesleem Akosile described him as a visionary leader whose unwavering dedication has not only revolutionised Nigeria’s digital landscape but has also resonated across the Muslim world, fostering innovation, economic growth, and greater connectivity.
“Through your efforts, you have embodied the principles of Islamic values in modern governance, paving the way for a more inclusive and empowered global community.
“In recognition of your extraordinary achievements and the indelible impact you have made, we are honoured to present you with the Digital Ummah Excellence Award”, he said.
Prof Akintola, the Founder of MURIC and Telly Da’wah, was also recognised by the organisation and presented with the Defender of Muslim Rights Award, for his profound impact in defending the rights of Muslims in Nigeria.
Barr. Akosile stated, “Your relentless advocacy through Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has been nothing short of inspiring. You have not only given a voice to the voiceless but also empowered countless Muslims across Nigeria to stand firm in their faith and identity.
“Your courage in confronting injustice and your commitment to promoting peace and understanding within our diverse society have made an indelible mark on the fabric of our nation.”
In the same vein, the Publisher of this medium, Muslim News Nigeria, Rasheed Abubakar was bestowed with the Beacon of Islamic Awareness Award by society for enlightening the world about the rich heritage, values, and contributions of the Muslim community,
The Waali noted that the award celebrates Abubakar’s outstanding commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of the Muslim world through the powerful platform of Muslim News Nigeria.
“Your unwavering efforts have not only amplified the voices within the Muslim community but have also bridged gaps of understanding, promoting unity and respect across diverse audiences.
“As a leader and visioner in the media industry, your work has been instrumental in challenging stereotypes and presenting an authentic narrative that resonates with truth and dignity” he added.
The Amir of TMC, Alhaji Abdulwasi’ Bangbala, while welcoming guests to the 13th Annual Lecture which held simultaneously in other states of the federation, congratulated the honourees.
He expressed optimism that the awards will further spur them to be more devoted and committed to championing the course of Islam and bringing about change to the society.
He said the Annual State Lecture has been a platform where Nigerians share their views, ideas, and positions, aiming to guide the nation towards progress and prosperity.
“We express profound gratitude to our distinguished guest speakers who are joining us to share their invaluable expertise and perspectives. We celebrate this convergence of brilliant minds, working together for the greater good of our nation.
“As we strive for collective wisdom to tackle our nation’s challenges, I implore you, esteemed audience and people of this great country, to seize this opportunity to harness our collective energy and unite our efforts in forging a brighter future for Nigeria- a future where hope reigns and prosperity is accessible to all,” he stated.
Who is Pantami?
He was born in Pantami district, Gombe State of Nigeria.
Professor Pantami is a policy maker, regulator, farmer, scholar, consultant and an academic who served as the Minister of Communications, and the first ever Minister of the Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2019 to the successful completion of the administration in 2023.
He also has the distinction of being the first ever African to be certified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec). The CIISec is the only professional cybersecurity organisation granted the royal charter of incorporation in the United Kingdom.
He established digital centres as an intervention to over 200 institutions and awarded several postgraduate scholarships to students to study emerging technologies. Professor Pantami also increased internally generated revenue by over 300%.
Today, @ProfIsaPantami spoke on "Good Governance: A Catalyst for Economic Development" at The Muslim Congress annual lecture, held at the Abuja National Mosque Conference Centre. pic.twitter.com/9GKR78fQmm
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) October 6, 2024
Professor Pantami is the Chancellor of the University of the Qur’an and Islamic Sciences in Jazeera, Republic of Sudan. He is on the Board of Trustees of Phoenix University and on the Governing Council of Rayhaan University.
Professor Pantami has published over 10 books, several referred journal articles, and attended over 190 conferences and workshops, among others. He also serves as a consultant to many national and international institutions and companies.
Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim is a global IT citizen, a chartered computer scientist, and a chartered cybersecurity expert. He is also a revered and highly respected scholar.
He is a Fellow of the Chattered Institute of Information Security (FCIIS), Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS) and Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), as well as a Fellow of Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Forensics Specialist Group.
He is also a registered computer scientist with the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), also registered with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) among others. Professor Ibrahim is happily married with children.
Meet Professor Akintola
Akintola was born in Obaloran Compound, Ile-Ife, Osun State on 10th July 1953. His father was Alhaji (Chief) Alimi Akintola, the late Baale (traditional head) of Bolorunduro town, Ile-Ife. Ishaq’s mother died when he was just three years old.
From a tender age of five years, crowds used to listen to Ishaq as he recited the Qur’an at the Central Mosque, Enuwa, Ile-Ife where he was placed on top of a table for all to see.
He started learning Arabic language under Ustadh Abdul Rauf (Ketefe) at Ojoyin, Ile-Ife. He attended the famous Ma‘had Arabic Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan.
His university education began with a Certificate course in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan where he excelled and got a Distinction plus the Arab League Prize and a presidential handshake by the then military head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd).
Akintola established two Islamic organizations, namely, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for the protection and promotion of the rights of Muslims in Nigeria and beyond and Telly Da’wah for the preaching of Islam on television, radio and through public lectures and free distribution of Islamic tracts.
Akintola would have become a traditional ruler (Oba) as far back as 2010 but his commitment to intellectual jihad made him reject the offer to be installed as the Oba (King) of Bolorunduro when his father was upgraded from a Baale (traditional chief) to an Oba.
He told the family that he could not leave da’wah for palace life. He, therefore, relinquished the position to his younger brother, his Royal Highness, Barrister Dhikrullahi Olagbaju Akintola, a former coursemate of His Excellency, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State. Consequently, his younger brother was installed as the King on 10th November, 2010.
Who is Rasheed Abubakar
Abubakar is a Nigerian journalist, author, publisher and publicist. He bagged a Post Graduate Diploma, PGD in Journalism, from the renowned Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ). He was a guest of the King of Saudi Arabia under the Guest of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj 2024 Programme, a Member of Nigerian Union of Journalism (NUJ) and PRO, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN).
He is a columnist with Independent Nigeria Newspaper and publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic newspaper. He is a believer in ethical journalism which is in tune with Islamic doctrine of fairness and collective good.
This has led to his regular and in-depth analyses of how Islam and Muslims are being reported in the media. As a result, he has authored ‘Islam and the Media, Series 1-4, titled: Muslims and the Threats of the Media (2009/2015 edited version), Hijab and the Nigerian Press (2016), “Media Narratives of Muslims in Nigeria: Facts and Fallacies (2018) and Islam and Modern Vices: Issues and Concerns in the News (2018).
The books were published by Rawshield PR Publishing Firm, an organ of Rawshield PR Media, a Lagos, Nigeria-based outfit owned by the author, which renders media assistance to brands, companies, politicos, celebrities and Muslim organisations.
Abubakar began his journalism career in 2006 as a campus life reporter with The Nation Newspaper; he later progressed to join PM News and rose from a Crime Reporter/City Beat to an Education Editor, until 2010 when he joined Encomium Magazine with focus on music, movie and politics. He was actively involved in the mainstream media until 2015 when he was involved in ghastly motor accident.
He was immobile for three years recuperating as a result of the accident until 2018, when he decided to switch to promoting Islam and uniting muslims who have been underreported and misreported in the Nigerian press through the instrumentality of the same media.
He decided to float Nigeria’s leading Muslim Newspaper, Muslim News, as the mouthpiece for underreported Muslim achievers and events in Nigeria and across the world, which are never given prominence in the mainstream media.
A 24/7 daily online medium and monthly newspaper (print version), It is also the first free e-Islamic Newspaper in Nigeria. Thousands of the newspaper are being distributed for free at major central mosques and event centers across Nigeria.
In 2019, the newspaper introduced #MNAwards, an acronym for Muslim News Nigeria Awards, celebrating Muslim achievers who have excelled and made the Muslim community proud globally. Some of the past winners in different categories include Turkiye President Erdogan (leadership), Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (leadership), Mohamad Ali Harrath (Media), and many Nigerian leaders, including the current Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, and the immediate former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, among others.
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