ISLAMIC scholars across Nigeria converged on Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday to honour foremost educator, the late Professor M.O.A. Abdul, whom they described as the founding father of the study and teaching of Arabic and Isamic studies in the country.
The event was the public book presentation the book, ‘Ascendancy of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nigeria: Festschrift in Honour of Professor M.O.A. Abdul’, organised by the Nigeria Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS), held at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun.
The keynote speaker, renowned professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Dawud Noibi, implored Muslims to contribute effectively to the development of their communities and humanity.
The nonagenarian, whose PhD thesis was supervised by Professor M.O.A. Abdul, said Professor Abdul deserved the honour done him by NATAIS, considering his impactful efforts during his lifetime.
Noibi, a former Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), in his paper titled ‘Celebrating a Role Model in the Ascendancy of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nigeria’, explained that the late Professor Abdul made indelible marks as a trainer of intellectuals and a role model within the academic community and the wider society.
Recounting his encounter with the deceased at the University of Ibadan where he laid the foundation of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nigeria, the Islamic scholar said Professor Abdul was a gentleman who sought cooperation between the two dominant religions in the country.
Noibi said the honour done Abdul, a great mentor and exemplary teacher, 38 years after his demise, was better late than never.
Speaking in the same vein, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Mukhtar Abayomi Arigbabu, described Professor Abdul as a leading light in Arabic and Islamic education .
Arigbabu stated that through his books and other writings, the deceased had continued to contribute to the spiritual development of humanity.
The commissioner said copies of the presented book would be distributed across the tertiary institutions in the state as a mark to respect to Professor Abdul and to sustain his legacy.
He said he deserved to be immortalised in such a way as he had been by NATAIS, of which he was the founder.
Earlier, the president of NATAIS, Professor Musa Abdulraheem, said the book launch was part of efforts of the body to immortalise the late scholar for his contributions to the growth of Arabic and Islamic education in Nigeria.
He solicited the continued support of the people for the development of the association.
The book reviewer, Professor Abdul-Rahman Oloyede, one of the students of Professor Abdul, said the book captured the essence of what the honouree lived for.
Professor Oloyede, who is the Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan and was two times head of the institution’s Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, recommended the book to all, irrespective of creed.
Presenting the book to the public, the Deputy President I of MUSWEN, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, said although he never knew Professor Abdul closely, his impacts and legacies in the field of Arabic and Islamic studies were immense.
The 456-page book was contributed to and edited by some of the former students and beneficiaries of Professor Abdul.
Goodwill messages were presented by Professors Kamil Oloso, Wole Abbas, Amidu Sanni, Lanre Badmus, Muslih Yayha, Muibi Opeloye, Abdulfattah Makinde; Dr Taiwo Salisu; representatives of the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona; the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode and students and teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies all over the country.
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