Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, no doubt, is a uniting force, not only in Nigeria but also in the world. As a revered monarch, the retired Army General-turned king’s many contributions to national, continental and global peace must have been responsible for the loud ovation that rented the air at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria,recently, where he was installed Chancellor of the prestigious university.
The atmosphere exuded not only erudition but also glamour. Honoured with the Sultan was a former Vice Chancellor of the university, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, who was decorated as one of the first duties of the new Chancellor (Sultan) with a doctorate degree honoris causa.
It was a week long stay in the South West, which afforded the Sultan to visit Ekiti State where he was welcomed on Thursday, November 19, by Governor Ayodele Fayose. He later attended a Jumat service accompanied by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, who he described as “my brother.” Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar was in the Ekiti State capital, Ado-Ekiti for the installation of Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as President-General, League of Imams and Alfas, South-West, Edo and Delta, which took place on the third day of his arrival (Saturday, November 21). That occasion too reverberated the Ibadan honour but here is the Sultan, who never allowed the accolades influence his attitude of humility and simplicity. He saw all of those things he is celebrated for as doing his job, saying, “I am doing what I am supposed to do for the country.” In all his speeches, it is one message – peace. He emphasized, in Ekiti where he asked Muslims and Christians to expose the bad eggs in their midst that Nigeria may finally find security, rest, peace and development.
It was the first time in history of Yoruba Muslim community that the Sultan of Sokoto, as leader of the Nigerian Muslim Community would be physically present and handle the official turbaning ceremony of President-General, League of Imams and Alfas, South-West, Edo and Delta. Acknowledging this great move, President of the Muslim Ummah of South-West of Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji S. O. Babalola, said, in his address at the ceremony: “It is evident in that for the first time the Sultan is personally doing the turbaning of President-General, League of Imams and Alfas of South West, Edo and Delta, that the unity of Muslims in Nigeria has come.”
At Ibadan
Delivering the Visitor’s speech on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo congratulated the Sultan on what he described as his well deserved honour to be installed as Chancellor of the university.
Osinbajo said: “We are encouraged by the recent ranking of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and Africa as the university, as you heard, was rated first in Nigeria and eighth in Africa by Journal Consortium. More over, The Times Higher Education World Universities ranking of all universities put the University of Ibadan among the 600 and 800 top universities in the world”.
Ajimobi says Sultan is pragmatic
In his own goodwill message at the occasion, Governor Abiola Ajimobi eulogized the Sultan, saying, “I’m very, very impressed that today we are honouring His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is now the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. And there is no better time than to have the man of such a pedigree to be the Chancellor of the university. He is a revered, seasoned, exposed, peace loving, God fearing and, above, an industrious monarch. He is a very pragmatic person. To me, this is the right time to have such a man for change.”
The Sultan’s message of peace!
