CILS gets books donations from Nda Salaty Centre
By Abubakar Imam
The literary collections of the Centre for Ilorin Studies (CILS), University of Ilorin, got a boost last Monday (October 12, 2026), with additional four books it received from Darul Qadiriyyah As-Salatiyah Al-Islamiyah Al-Alamiyyah Islamic Centre, Ilorin.
The books, written in Arabic Language, were donated to the Centre during a courtesy visit to the CILS by Dr Abubakar Abdullahi.
Dr Abdullahi, who teaches at the Department of Arabic and Transnational Studies, University of Ilorin, thanked the leadership of the CILS for participating in a recent international conference organised to mark the 60th anniversary of the death of one of the most distinguished Islamic scholars in the history of Ilorin, Shaykh Ahmad Rifai Nda Salaty at Whitefield Hotels, Ilorin.
Dr Abdullahi commended the CILS for committing itself to the preservation, documentation and promotion of the rich historical, cultural and intellectual heritage of Ilorin and its people.
The don, who is a grand son of Shaykh Nda Salaty, explained that the conference, which was themed, “Sufism and Its Role in the Spread of Arabic and Islamic Culture in Nigeria: Shaykh Ahmad Rifa’i Nda Salaty as a Case Study”, was purposely organised to highlight the contributions of Sufism to the development and spread of Arabic and Islamic culture in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the life, teachings, spiritual legacy and contributions of the late Shaykh Ahmad Rifa’i Nda Salaty, who passed away in 1966.
Receiving the books, the Director of the CILS, Prof. Ali Arazim Abdullahi, thanked the Centre for organising the Conference, saying that it provided a platform for scholars, Islamic clerics, researchers and other participants to reflect on the historical significance of Sufism and its influence on Islamic scholarship, spirituality, religious education and cultural development in Nigeria.
Prof. Abdullahi said that the Centre collaborated with organisers of the Conference because of its conviction that it would serve as an avenue to commemorate the enduring legacy of a remarkable son of Ilorin, Shaykh Ahmad Rifa’i Nda Salaty, He pointed out that the Conference had encouraged further research into his life and contributions to Islamic civilisation.
Speaking on the books, Prof. Abdullahi said that the donation represents an important step towards strengthening collaboration, preserving Islamic literary heritage and promoting scholarly research at the CILS.
The Director, who was joined by his Deputy, Dr Mahmud Danjuma, to receive the books, assured all that the books would serve as valuable resources for researchers, students and other members of the University community interested in Arabic and Islamic studies and the history of Ilorin.
He assured the Nda Salaty Centre that the CILS would turn the proceedings at the Conference into a book of reading.
