The Muhammad Kamalden University (MKU), Ilorin, Kwara state has opened its doors to the public as it got officially launched on Saturday.
During the event, eminent Nigerians commended the founder of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria (AISN), the late Sheikh Muhammad Kamalud-deen Al- Adaby for his commitment to blending of Arabic and Western education which had culminated in the establishment of a conventional university that has been named in his honour – the Muhammad Kamalden University (MKU), Ilorin, Kwara state.
Sheikh Muhammad Kamaldeen Habibulahi Musa Al-Adaby, who has gotten recognized as the one who modernized the teaching of Arabic and Islamic studies in the country, died in Ilorin on Sunday, December 18, 2005.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who led the dignitaries in acknowledging Sheikh Kamalud- deen’s commitment to blending of Arabic and Western education in the country, added that the university getting officially launched has further proved the commitment of the late Sheik Kamalud-deen to ‘education and upliftment of human race’.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Kayode Alabi, described the establishment of the university as ‘a product of Sheikh Kamalud-deen’s great vision’.
Others who gave speeches at the well attended event included the representative of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Amb. Ahamad Yakassai, former Senate president, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, representative of Osun state governor, Alh Nuruden Adeleke , Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) and president, Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria(AISN), Alh Suleiman Afolabi .
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano submitted that ‘the university environment is beautiful, and it has an enabling environment for learning and also has all the facilities required for its takeoff’.
Bayero praised the foresight of Sheik Kamalud-deen in coming up with the idea of teaching Western education subjects alongside Arabic at his Arabic schools in Ilorin.
Earlier, the president of ASISN, Alhaji Suleiman Afolabi, had noted that the university would require the sum of N215 million for its needs ahead of the 2023/2024 academic session which will commence in January 2024.
The Vice -Chancellor of MKU, Prof Rasheed Jimoh, while thanking the dignitaries that attended the occasion and made donations in cash and kind, said the university will be ICT- driven and will be committed ‘to being an exemplary institution for teaching and research for the production of morally upright and globally competitive graduates and for community service’.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chancellor of MKU, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Pro- Chancellor of the university, Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem and the chairman of the central planning committee of the event, Engineer Ahmad Ibrahim ensured that the dignitaries that attended the event from far and near got a warm welcome.
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki expressed delight that the joint effort involving him and the then chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Jibril Barau with respect to facilitating the takeoff of the university has yielded desired results.
He has also announced scholarships for 100 prospective students at the institution at N350,000 per session and he would therefore be making a sum of 140 million available to the university for this purpose.
Saraki’s Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that the former Senate President also made separate donation of N26 million for provision of required facilities at the institution.
The Baba Adini of Ansarul-Islam Society of Nigeria, the statement noted, said he considers the university seemingly as his ‘private project’ because of its indigenous identity and his love and affinity with the initiator, the late Sheikh Muhammad Kamalud-Deen Al-Adabiy.
‘As a bonafide son of Ilorin, Baba Adini of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, and the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, I consider this project as ‘personal’.
This official opening ceremony is a great one for every son and daughter of the Emirate not only for the Legacy of Sheikh Kamalud-Deen but for what we can do as the Ilorin Emirate community.
As the Chairman of the occasion noted, this is not a profitable venture. It is a project for society, and that’s why it’s our project. That is why from the day it started, I have been playing my role since it started in 2005 till today’ he said.
Saraki also commended the current Khalifa Adabiyy and Visitor to the university, Sheikh Abdulkadir Muhammad Kamalud-Deen Al-Adabiy for his unrelenting effort towards ensuring that the University project becomes a reality-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
