At the commencement of a week-long centenary anniversary for Al-Ilory, on Monday, at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, paid glowing tributes to the late scholar.
Al-Ilory, a widely published author and founder of the Islamic and Arabic Training Centre (Markaz), Agege, Lagos, was born in 1917 and died in 1992.
The Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; his Lagos and Kwara state counterparts, Akinwunmi Ambode and AbdulFatah Ahmed and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Board, UNILAG, Dr Wale Babalakin, were also on hand to honour the erudite scholar.
Saraki said the Senate would continue to make laws that guarantee conducive atmosphere for learning in order to eradicate illiteracy.
According to him, the contributions of Sheikh Al-Ilory to the propagation of Islamic and Arabic knowledge in the country were great and were yielding fruits across the country.
Sultan Abubakar canvassed the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in schools.
This, the NSCIA leader said, would go a long way in improving education, healthcare delivery, science and technology.
According to him, anyone who has qualitative Islamic education would not engage in acts capable of inflicting pains on other people.
He urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of praying for country’s leaders so that God will guide them in delivering good governance to the people.
Amosun said he aligned with the Sultan on use of indigenous languages to teach in schools.
The Ogun State governor said Sheikh Al-Ilory left an indelible mark on human capital development, pointing out that Islam denounces terrorism and encourages knowledge acquisition.
Senator Amosun called on Muslim clerics to preach to continuously impress it on their followers that Islam is not synonymous with terrorism.
Governor Ahmed called on religious leaders to promote peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance among Nigerians.
He appealed to citizens to help security agents in their mandate to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens by providing them with useful and timely information.
Others who spoke at the event include a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo salami (rtd); Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede; a former vice chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Professor Razaq Abubakre and Alhaji Kola Belgore, who represented Justice Alfa Belgore (rtd).
and then