Family, associates fete AbdulRaheem on 76th birthday

Sunday (October 22, 2023) was another great day in the life of a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, OFR, as his relations, colleagues, students, associates and admirers from all walks of life converged on his Adewole Housing Estate Residence in Ilorin to celebrate with him as he marked his 76th birthday.

The event, which was kicked off with prayers officiated by prominent Muslim clerics, was a beehive of activities as some of the dignitaries who attended took turns to pay glowing tributes to the foremost scholar and administrator.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Ogidi, Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh, described Prof. AbdulRaheem, who is also the Talba of Ilorin, as a distinguished pathfinder and exemplary statesman, whose impact goes beyond Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State.

Prof. Jimoh said that Prof. AbdulRaheem, who also served as the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), is one individual whose contributions to the progress and development of the University of Ilorin and the nation’s educational system would forever remain imperishable.

Speaking earlier on a radio programme dedicated to the event, the Deputy Editor, UNILORIN BULLETIN,  Mr Abubakar Imam, described Prof. AbdulRaheem as a man whose impact on the educational development of the people of Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State cannot be glossed over.

He added that his contributions towards the socioeconomic transformation of Ilorin Emirate remain glowing two decades after completing his tenure as the 6th Chief Executive of the University of Ilorin and several years after serving as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission .

The birthday bash was attended by the wife of the celebrant, Hajiya Toyeebah Jumoke AbdulRaheem; the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdullahi Baba Alafara; the Chairman of the University of Ilorin Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Alex Akanmu and the  Bursar, Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Mr Muhammad Jimoh Akanbi.

 Others were  a former Sub-Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Dr Mahmud AbdulRaheem; a former Head, Department of Mass Communication, Dr Saudat Salah-Abdulbaqi; a Lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Razaq Adisa; and a Deputy Director, Works, who doubles as the University Estate Officer, Mr Bolakale Sahid Baba, among several others from far and near.