Dignitaries from all walks of life last Wednesday (January 15, 2025) converged on the ancestral home of the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Baba Abdullahi Alafara, in the Alore Quarters of Ilorin for the Fidau Prayer session for the repose of the soul of his father, Alhaji Baba Bukhari Aminu Alafara.
The elder Alafara died penultimate Saturday (January 11, 2025) and his remains were buried the same day in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
The Fidau Prayer, which was presided-over by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Saliu, OON, also featured recitation of the Holy Quran, among other things.
In a short sermon at the event, the Grand Mukadam of Ilorin, Shaykh Sulaiman Abubakar Dan-Borno, encouraged people with power to imbibe the virtues of conscientious conducts, especially in the way they use their ‘powerful pens and biros’.
Pointing out that the ‘powerful pen’ could be used either to build or destroy the future of students, for instance, the renowned preacher said it is up to the teachers and lecturers to decide the way they want to use their pens on the students put in their care.
He, however, said that “whichever way you use your pen, the appropriate reward would definitely manifest one way or the other and at the appropriate time”.
Among the dignitaries, who attended the ceremony from the University of Ilorin were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Ambali; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; and the University Librarian, Dr Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; several Deans and Directors as well as a former CMD of UITH and Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Sulyman Alege Kuranga.
Others who attended the ceremony included the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Usman Abubakar Akanbi-Jos; the Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Alhaji Isiaka Okunrin-Jeje; the Imam Imale, Shaykh Abdullahi AbdulHamid and the Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, Dr Mujhtaba Yusuf Bature, among others.
