CILS visits Monkodoro group, urges collaboration
By Abubakar Imam
As part of efforts targeted at strengthening the relationship between the Centre for Ilorin Studies (CILS), University of Ilorin and the University’s host community, the management of the Centre recently paid a working visit to Zumratul Mumini Arabic and Islamic School (Monkodoro), Agbaji, Ilorin. The Monkodoros are the ubiquitous group of Islamic scholars who are usually identified with big turban and strict adherence to Islamic traditions.
Speaking during the visit, the Director of the CILS, Prof. Ali Arazeem Abdullahi, said that the visit was aimed at exploring opportunities for collaboration between the CILS and the Islamic group in order to enhance the preservation, documentation and promotion of Ilorin’s Islamic, cultural and historical heritage.
The Director, who teaches at the Department of Sociology, said that he and members of his entourage were impressed with the warm reception received from the leadership of the institution, which, he said, demonstrated the mutual respect and shared commitment to preserving the rich historical and religious heritage of Ilorin and its people.
The Director further noted that the Centre was working towards honouring, recognising and preserving the memory and contributions of the late founder of the School, Shaykh Yusuf Baba Al-Agbaji, among others.
He assured all that many other deserving alumni and current students of the School in Nigeria and in the diaspora would be given due recognition as part of the broader effort to document and celebrate their historical and religious contributions.
The Director also presented the Centre’s vision for the preservation and digitalisation of valuable Islamic manuscripts, historical documents, photographs, publications and other materials relating to Ilorin’s history and Islamic heritage. He explained that the objective is to preserve these materials for future generations and, where appropriate, make them accessible through digital platforms and the online resources of the Centre.
Responding, the Head of the School, Shaykh Muhammadawwal Olayinka Yusuf, thanked the Director and members of his delegation for the visit.
Shaykh Yusuf expressed the readiness of his group and its members to work with the Centre and the University of Ilorin in order to preserve and promote historical and Islamic materials of enduring value.
Other members of the delegation included the Deputy Director of the Centre, Dr Mahmud Danjuma; a senior staff member of the Centre, Dr Asmau Ali-Agan; and the Secretary of the Centre, Mr Kareem Babatunde Kuti, among others.
