Popular Osogbo Islamic Institute Celebrates 40th Anniversary

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

An Islamic Institute, Zumuratul Soliheen Institute of Arabic and Islamic Research, has celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sept 14, 2019 at popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, capital of Osun state.

During the event, notable Islamic Scholars who stormed Osogbo for the anniversary celebration honoured the founder of the institute, Sheikh Abdul Wahab Baani, Chief Imam Afanta and praised his vision and contributions to the advancement of Islamic religion in the state during the past 40 years.

No fewer than 200 notable Islamic Scholars attended the event that gave the invited Sheiks and Imams opportunity to share love as popular Islamic Lecturer, Sheikh Sulaiman Faruk Onikijipa and Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh (Dr) Muhideen Usein embraced themselves in the presence of thousands of people who also came to grace the occasion.

Eminent Islamic Leaders and Scholars who attended the programme included the Chief Imams of Ilorin, Osogbo and Ejigbo, and the Scholars Sheikh Suleiman Farouk Onikijipa, Sheikh Thaoban Adam Abdullah Al ilory, Sheikh Muideen Salman Hussein, imam Offa.

Others are; Sheikh Musa Animasahum, grand Imam Osun State, Sheikh Haroon Adediran (Samonigongo), Chief Imam Ila, Chief Imam Ejigbo, Fadilat Sheikh Abdulsalam Folohunso Salman, Aguda Lagos, Fadilat Sheikh Dauda Alfa NLA, Al-Gbedewy , Fadilat Sheikh Thaoban Adam Abdullah(Al-Ilory) among others.

The anniversary was chaired by the CEO Dipson plastic industry, Alhaji Mufasir Dipo Bakare. Eight persons were turbaned among whom is Alhaja Silifat Titilayo Abake Lawal, Asiwaju Obinrin Adeen Zumratul Soliheen..

Also at the programme is Senator Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru. The Aragbiji of Iragbiji led other traditional rulers to the programme.

The institute gave awards to eminent Islamic leaders like sheikh Mudashir Suleiman Cisse Igbaye, among others and posthumous awards to some deserving Islamic leaders among whom is the former chief imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Mustapha Ade Olayiwola Ede among others.

The guest lecturers, while delivering their lectures urged people in Nigeria, especially the Muslims among them, to play a key role in the quest to stimulate the moral rejuvenation of the society by always conducting themselves in manners that are in accord with the standards set by Islam.

Speaking on the topic “ Honesty; The Panacea To Nigeria Problems, ” Sheikh Sulaiman Faruk Onikijipa and Chief Imam Offa, Sheik Salimo Usain urged religious leaders to reorient Nigerians on need for honesty and truthfulness.

They decried the state of dishonesty and greed in the country, saying that this had greatly impeded the socioeconomic and even, political development.

They urged religious leaders, parents and student leaders to instill in their followers the need for them to speak the truth in order to move the nation forward.

“It is incumbent upon Nigerians to speak the truth as a way of honouring God. We are in a society that doesn’t have regard for the truth,” the Scholars said.

Zumuratul Solihen Institute of Arabic and Islamic Research was originally established at Baani’s compound , Alore, in Ilorin 1978. The school started full operation in 1979. In the year of IRS establishment , the school advanced from evening Arabic class to expand it curriculum to cover programmes in Ibtidahiyat, Idadiyah, Thanawiyat and adult class Arabic Studies programmes .

Imam Fanta , the founder of the Islamic Institute, is a preacher, an active, an apostle of human rights , a civil liberty crusader, a critic and researcher.