Campus News

Oloyede attends ex-VC, AbdulRaheem’s daughter’s wedding

A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, OFR, NPOM, and his wife, Mrs Toyeebah Olajumoke AbdulRaheem, penultimate Saturday (February 8, 2025) played host to a galaxy of dignitaries from all walks of life, who converged for the wedding of the youngest of their children, Nasir Adeyemi AbdulRaheem to former Miss Aisha Ayobola Shomope.

Speaking at the wedding reception, which took place at the Atlantic Events Centre, Ilorin, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Emeritus Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, said that it was high time that a distinction was made between marriage and wedding.

While the Emeritus Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence described wedding as an event or occasion organised to mark the solemnisation of the relationship of a man and a woman who are in love with each other, marriage, according to Prof. Oloyede, is the lifelong relationship between a husband and his wife, which, he said, is divinely sanctioned and embraced by every human society.

He explained that too many efforts are being expended on the success and colourfulness of wedding as no commensurate efforts are being made on the success of marriage.

The former Vice Chancellor explained that marriage, which determines the quality of life of some people and the continuity of the society, should never be neglected but protected and nurtured for the enduring benefit of humanity.

Prof. Emerit. Oloyede, who was the Chairman of the wedding reception, charged parents and the society at large to ensure that their children appreciate the essence of marriage and think little of throwing flamboyant wedding ceremonies.

He urged the new couple to appreciate and love each other, saying that it is only the presence of genuine and enduring love that can sustain a marriage.

Prof. Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also drew the attention of the new couple to the fact that more than 90% of guests who attended the event did so because of the regards they have for their parents and not because of them and so he urged them to be mindful of their own dispositions to others in order to deserve the kind of respect, loyalty and admiration their parents command.

He also urged people to always be mindful of their religious duties, saying that no style of dressing should prevent them from worshipping as enshrined in their faiths.

Prof. Oloyede, who was at the event with his wife, Dr Raheemah Oloyede, congratulated Prof. AbdulRaheem, who is also the Talba of Ilorin; and his spouse on not only giving their children sound training but also living to witness the wedding of the youngest of their progeny.

The wedding reception was preceded by the traditional Walimah Quran ceremony, which took place a day earlier at the ancestral home of the former Vice Chancellor and erstwhile Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in the Okekere/Masingba area of Ilorin. The ceremony was presided-over by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Saliu, OON, who was assisted by other clerics from all over Ilorin and beyond.

Among those who attended the ceremonies were the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mr AbdulRazaq Jiddah; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal and the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa as well as a former Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali,OON and his wife, Prof. Hassanat Taiwo Ambali.

Others were a former Minister of Environment, Housing and Environment, Arch. Halima Tayo Alao; the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University of Education, Prof. Medinat Folorunso Salman; a prominent international business magnate, Mrs Muinat Bola Shagaya, MON; the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), University of Ilorin, Prof. Suleiman Funsho Ambali; the Director, Academic Planning Unit, University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulRasheed Abiodun Adeoye; the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Prof. Baba Abdullahi Alafara; the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Lasiele Alabi Yahaya; the Director, Centre for Research, Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), Prof. Abdulkareem Oloyede; an Associate Professor at the Department of Water and Environmental Resources Engineering, Dr Adeniyi Saheed Aremu, and the University Estate Officer, Dr Bolakale Sahid Baba; among several others.