Emulate Ambali’s sterling qualities, Ali-Agan urges leaders
By Abubakar Imam
A former Head of the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abubakir Imam Ali-Agan, has urged leaders across various sectors to emulate the sterling qualities of a former Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, for the nation to enjoy peace and prosperity.
Prof. Ali-Agan, who is also a seasoned Islamic broadcaster, made this call penultimate Thursday (March 13, 2026) while speaking at an Iftar organised by the former Vice Chancellor for his neighbours at his Oloje Housing Estate residence, Ilorin.
The don said that Prof. Ambali left no one in doubt of his willingness to always serve with utmost diligence and distinction.
Prof. Ali-Agan, who is also the Chief Imam of An-Nur Central Mosque, Oloje, Ilorin, recalled that Prof. Ambali’s decision to take up appointment at the University of Ilorin was informed by his desire to serve the institution despite the fact that he was already a member of the Governing Council of the University of Maiduguri as at the time he accepted the offer to serve as the pioneer Ag. Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Ilorin.
He recalled that the tenure of Prof. Ambali as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin would always be remembered for several achievements recorded by the institution and its workers at national and international levels.
Prof. Ali-Agan specifically thanked the former Vice Chancellor, who is currently the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Kwara State University, Malete, for his humility and the assistance he offered members of the Housing Estate Residents Association before, during and after his tenure at the University of Ilorin.
The cleric-don urged leaders to always operate no door policy as done by Prof. Ambali for their impacts to be thoroughly felts by others.
Responding, Prof. Ambali thanked all those who honoured his invitation to the iftar.
Prof. Ambali recalled that the principal reason behind his decision to live in his private residence instead of the official lodge was informed by the need to be closer to the ordinary people of the University’s host community.
The former Vice Chancellor, who headed the University of Ilorin from 2012 to 2017, recalled that having lived in Maiduguri for so many years he decided to live closer to the grassroots as the UNILORIN Vice Chancellor in order to be accessible to the ordinary people who would always want to see him for one reason or the other.
Prof. Ambali enjoined those who are holding public offices to always ensure that they prioritise service delivery, saying that nothing lasts forever.
He also advised office holders to ensure that they are always surrounded by well-meaning individuals and groups who would always tell them the truth to enable them offer their best.
