….. USS wins overall quiz competition
By Mustafa Abubakar
The University of Ilorin Muslim Ladies’ Circle (UIMLC) has celebrated this year’s Maolud Nabiyy with the students of the Kwara State School for Special Needs, Apata-Yakuba, Ilorin, in an atmosphere filled with joy, gratitude, and compassion.
The event, which was held on Sunday (October 19, 2025), featured Qur’an recitation, quiz competition, and motivational talks. At the end of it, the University of Ilorin Secondary School(USS) emerged as overall winner.
In her welcome address, the Amirah of the Muslim Ladies’ Circle, Prof. Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for making the annual celebration a reality and appreciated members of the Circle for their commitment and sacrifices.
“This Maolud is not just a celebration; it is a reminder of the Prophet’s noble character and the need for us to reflect his values of gratitude, patience, and compassion in our daily lives,” she said.
Prof. Abdulbaqi, who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, also appreciated the management and staff of the School for Special Needs for their dedication to the care and development of the children, promising that the Circle would continue to offer support based on identified needs.
Delivering the lecture, titled “Shukr(Gratitude) and Its Role in Personal and Social Peace: An Islamic Perspective,” the Guest Speaker, Dr Najeeb Olayinka Abbas of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, emphasised that gratitude (Shukr) occupies a central place in Islam as the foundation of personal peace and social harmony.
He observed that “a grateful heart is a peaceful heart,” explaining that expressing gratitude to Allah and to fellow human beings strengthens faith, contentment, and community bonds.
He urged Muslims to always be thankful for Allah’s blessings and to demonstrate gratitude through humility, kindness, and service to humanity.
In her remarks, a former Amirah of the Circle, Prof. Nike Yetunde Sidiqat Ijaiya, who expressed gratitude to God for the success of the event, prayed for continued protection and prosperity for all participants.
Prof. Ijaiya said,“This year’s programme was even better than the last. May Allah make these children successful, fulfill their good dreams, and make them useful to themselves, their parents, and society.”
In her message, Dr Fadhilat Rejuaro, who is also a past Amirah of the Circle, thanked Allah for sustaining the initiative and praised the foresight of the founding members who established the relationship with the School for Special Needs.
“It feels like yesterday when we first visited this school. Today, it has become an annual tradition that continues to grow in purpose and impact. We pray that Allah will reward all those who have supported this cause,”Dr Rejuaro recalled.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Mini-Campus Chapter of the UIMLC, Hajia Muibat Oluseyi Yusuf, explained that the outreach was designed to strengthen the bond between the University community and the less privileged.
Hajia Yusuf said,“This programme reflects the true meaning of Maolud: to share love, gratitude, and compassion with others. By bringing the celebration here, we are not just remembering the Prophet’s birth but we are also practicing his teachings of mercy and kindness.”
While appreciating the organisation, the Vice Principal of the School for Special Needs, Mrs Rashida Jubril, commended the University of Ilorin Muslim Ladies’ Circle for their sincerity of purpose and continued engagement.
Mrs Jubril said, “Many groups visit us, but your visits bring genuine happiness to the faces of our children. You come not for show, but with pure intentions to make them smile. May Allah reward you abundantly and bless your families.”
The celebration, an annual outreach of the University Muslims Ladies Circle, serves as a platform for spiritual growth, community bonding, and the practical expression of gratitude and compassion, in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
