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Dārul Ulūm Alumni Association, Isale Koto, Ilorin, Kwara State has organised a reception programme in honour of the first teacher and Principal of the Islamic Institute , Sheikh Abubakar AbdulMalik following his elevation into the professorial cadre.
The reception ceremony which was organized in collaboration with Markaz Alumni, featured a public presentation of a compendium in honour of Professor AbdulMalik.
The honoree, who served as the first teacher and principal of Dārul Ulūm (1963-1964) when the institute was established and he was recently promoted to the prestigious rank of professorship by Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.
The reception event was graced the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Soliu, Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi AbdulHamid and other spiritual leaders in Ilorin Emirate.
The honoree was represented at the event by his son, Dr Muyideen AbdulMalik.
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Soliu, extolled the virtues of teachers, adding that the reward of teachers should not be in the heaven alone but due recognition should be accorded to them in this world.
“The teachers are builders of the builders. Now that we are well built and doing well in the spheres of life, our duties are to give back to them because to whom much is given, much is equally expected,” he said.
Imam Soliu encouraged students to give back to their teachers in recognition of the teachers’ selfless services in their lives.
Another speaker, Prof. Issa Alabi appreciated Allah for the life of Professor Abdul Malik, especially on the attainment of professorship position which he described as a dream fulfilling.
“This our father had taught many scholars who had become professors long time ago, and with his dedication and commitment he got to where he was going. That is the reward of hard work, dedication and commitment”, Alabi said.
The national president of Dārul Ulūm Alumni Association, Sheikh Murtadoh Alaaya, said the programme was to celebrate the life and elevation of Professor AbdulMalik, who was sent to Ilorin by the late Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory to teach at Dārul Ulūm between 1963 and 1964.
Alaaya, who spoke through the secretary general of Darul Ulŭm Alumni Association, Barr. Ridwan Olagunju, noted with delight that many of Professor AbduMalik’s students had become professors, doctors, Imams, renowned Islamic scholars, and preachers, as well as prominent personalities in various fields of life.
He added that the impact of the honoree and other teachers of Dārul Ulūm and Markaz on the growth and development of Dārul Ulūm and the flourishing of Arabic and Islamic Studies within the state and the country at large would always be appreciated.
While relating the history of the institute , Alaaya said the school is very unique as it was established by the 9th Emir of Ilorin, the late Alh Sulukarnaini Gambari in collaboration with notable scholars of his era headed by Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory, adding that: “For anybody to have served here, that person deserves an accolade and appreciation from us”.
In his remarks, the president general of Niqabatul Markaziyyeen, Sheikh Yusuf Kolawole, acknowledged the foresight of Sheikh Al-Ilory in choosing the then Abubakar AbdulMalik, now the celebrated Professor, to come down to Ilorin from Markaz Agege, Lagos State, between 1963 and 1964, to teach as the first teacher and principal of Dārul Ulūm, Ilorin.
Kolawole, who was one of the teachers at the institute at that time, acknowledged the kind of teacher Sheikh Abubakar was, saying:”I can confirm that Professor Abubakar AbduMalik did exceptionally well and did not disappoint his teacher, Sheikh Adam, who appointed and delegated him to teach at Dārul Ulūm. This is why he deserves this great honour today.”
The secretary general of Niqabatul Markaziyyeen, home and abroad, Prof. Hamzat AbdulRaheem, described AbdulMalik as the foundation teacher of Darul Ulum.
“As at the time he entered, all of us were young and we knew nothing about Arabic. He taught us how to write Arabic, he taught us how to read Arabic, he taught us Arabic morphology and grammar. What he imparted in us within one year was huge and we cannot appreciate him enough.
“His professorship is unique and special and deserves to be celebrated. We thank God that he was not given professorship posthumously, but during his lifetime”, AbdulRaheem said.
He emphasised the need for all Markaz branches to adhere to the main syllabus of the school, as prepared during the lifetime of its founder, Sheikh Al-Ilory.
He explained that Sheikh Adam had authored various books suitable not only for Nigerian students but also for all Arabic and Islamic students in West Africa.
Professor Hamzat urged students of Arabic and Islamic schools in Nigeria to be more committed to their studies, as Arabic and Islamic studies would equip them with knowledge, moral standards, and make them useful and great in society, as well as earning them a very high heavenly reward.
He also appealed to governments at all levels to support Arabic and Islamic schools by providing necessary aid to sustain them, as the schools work tirelessly to build the society with immense value and moral standards in the light of Islamic religious etiquette.
Responding on behalf of the honoree, Dr Muyideen AbdulMalik said : “It is a great pleasure and honour to be here to witness how the good people of Ilorin expressed their gratitude to someone they love.
“It is a great honour to me and it is a great honour to the family as our Baba’s contributions to the development of Islamic knowledge in this community is being recognized today.
“Many years after, he is still being remembered. We thank the people of Ilorin, we thank the alumni of this great school for the honour done our father. I’m sure when he was here, he never thought a day like this would come, he never thought he would be so appreciated like this”.
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