Oloyede tasks CILS on better service delivery
By Abubakar Imam
A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, and Immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Emeritus Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, has encouraged the Director and staff members of the institution’s Centre for Ilorin Studies (CILS) to always pursue programmes and projects that would advance the progress of the Ilorin Emirate and its neighbours.
Prof. Oloyede gave this advice penultimate Friday (September 11, 2026) while playing host to the new Director of the Centre, Prof. Ali Arazeem Abdullahi, who led a delegation of the Centre to his private office in Ilorin.
The former Vice Chancellor, whose Administration established the Centre, emphasised the need for the Centre to document the histories of personalities, institutions, religious scholars, traditional leaders and notable events associated with Ilorin.
He observed that many prominent personalities who passed through Ilorin or had strong connections with the city should also have their contributions properly documented by the Centre. Among this category of individuals, according to Prof. Oloyede, are Archbishop Ayo Maria Atoyebi and Bishop John Olorunfemi Onayaiykan, among others.
Prof. Emeritus Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also enjoined the Centre to have both electronic and print media platforms for the promotion of its activities.
According to him, documentaries and other historical materials relating to the past and present development in the Ilorin Emirate should be properly documented and made available to members of the public and researchers.
He specifically suggested that photographs and historical information about the ancient Oke-Suna, including the place where Islamic scholars reportedly organised prayers in connection with the establishment of Ilorin as a Muslim settlement, should be properly documented and preserved.
He also discussed the need to document the different styles, voices and traditions associated with Islamic scholarship in Ilorin.
Prof. Emeritus Oloyede suggested that the views, photographs and voices of scholars such as the founder of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Muhammad Kamaludeen and the founder of the Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Agege, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, should be developed into appropriate archival materials to enable future generations to appreciate their contributions.
He observed that if people of England could properly document the histories and contributions of their scholars, there is no reason why similar efforts could not be made to document the history and contributions of Ilorin scholars and personalities by the Centre.
Prof. Emeritus Oloyede also expressed concerns on some contemporary practices which, in his view, differ from the traditional values and practices of the Ilorin community as observed in wedding ceremonies and similar events.
He urged the Centre to embark on a strong public sensitisation programmes through electronic media, print media and social media as he suggested the production of jingles, documentaries and other educational materials to enlighten the public about the history, culture, religious traditions and values of Ilorin.
Prof. Emeritus Oloyede advised that those who question the continued use of the name “Ilorin” should not be allowed to distract the Centre from its core objectives. He stated that people with good ideas and genuine interest in the development of Ilorin should be encouraged to contribute.
He advised the Centre to explore the possibility of discussing the preservation of the late Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki’s family house as a potential archive or heritage centre where materials relating to his life, political career and contributions to Ilorin could be preserved and displayed.
He noted that if such initiatives were successfully established, other prominent families and individuals might also be encouraged to preserve and contribute materials relating to their late parents and notable family members.
He further observed that if the Centre successfully develops these initiatives, the University management would likely recognise its importance and provide greater institutional and financial support.
Speaking earlier, the Director of the Centre said that the purpose of the visit was to seek the advice, fatherly guidance and support of Prof. Oloyede, particularly concerning the vision and mission behind the establishment of the Centre for Ilorin Studies (CILS) during his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University.
Prof. Abdullahi was accompanied on the visit by his Deputy, Dr Mahmud Danjuma and the Secretary to the Centre, Mr B. K. Kuti.
