The maiden edition of AA Ramadan Lecture was on Saturday, March 8,2025; graced by mammoth crowd of politicians, businessmen, technocrats and traditional rulers.
The lecture which has “Preserving the footprints of our forebears in Ilorin Emirate as Muslim Ummah” as its theme was held at the AbdulRazaq’s family residence, Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State. Two eminent scholars, Dr
Hussain Musa M-Bashir and Alfa Lukman Mukthar Isale- Koto delivered thought provoking lectures on the future of Ilorin at the colourful event.
Dignitaries that attended the lecture included a popular politician, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, special adviser/ counselor, Alh Saadu Salahu, NNPCL non executive director, Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya,Dr Funsho AbdulRazaq, Engr. Rahman Giwa, Prof. Ibrahim Jawondo, Alh Usman Bibire Ajape and the director general of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Legislative Studies ( MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu.
Others are the commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Afeez Abolore, special adviser on Media, Alh Bashir Adigun, senior special assistant on Religion (Islam), Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro, chairman of Alliance For Sustainable Kwara (ASK), Alh Razaq Lawal, general manager of KWASSIP, Dr AbdulWasiu Tejidini, Alh Hassan Gegele and the special adviser on Labour Matters,Alh AbdulRazaq Onagun,
The rest are the NSIP focal person in Kwara, Dr Rabiat Alabere, former permanent secretary, Hajia Mopelola AbdulRahman, Alh AbdulGaniyu Galadima, Adviser on Intra- party Affairs, Alh Mashood Alaka, chairman, Ilorin West, Hon. Ladan, chairman, National League of Veteran Journalists, Alh Tunde Akanbi, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, regional editor of LEADERSHIP newspapers, Alh Abdullahi Olesin, state APC women leader, Hajia Falilat Mohammed and her counterpart from Kwara Central, Hajia Tawa Agaka ; and special adviser on Civic Engagement, Hajia Humulkhaeri Alaye.
In his lecture, Dr Hussain Musa M- Bashir emphasised that Ilorin, Kwara State capital was founded on knowledge ( both Islamic and Western education).
He listed the Ilorin forerunners in the area of Islamic education to include Sheikh Mohammed Kamaldeen, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al- Ilory, Baba Lagbaji and Sheikh Abubakar Agbarigidoma, adding that the late Alh AGF AbdulRazaq(SAN), Dr Olusola Saraki, Dr Amuda Aluko, Shettima Lar and Alh Gobir were the forerunners in the area of Western education.
He listed the late Alh Aminu Saro and the late Alh Woli Alasinrin in the area of business and trading. He said the aforementioned people were the models which young Ilorin people should be emulating.
“The young Ilorin people just like the aforementioned forerunners should focus on educational attainment and business to earn decent living. They should not deviate from the way of their forerunners. They should have faith in Allah and have contentment. They should wait for their time,” he said.
In his lecture, Alfa Lukman Mukthar Isale- Koto, pointed out that Ilorin was built on plan, urging the people of the community to return to their old values in the areas of attending morning madrasa and their unique marriage institution.
“We should blend Islamic education with vocational training. The number of days for attending Islamic schools should be reduced to accommodate vocational training. Government should takeover the payment of salaries of teachers of Islamic schools and should also take interest in the curriculum of madrasa( Islamic Studies schools),” he said.
Both lecturers acknowledged the giant strides of the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in all sectors, especially education and infrastructural development, urging him not to rest on his oars.
