Eminent Nigerians yesterday poured encomiums on the founder of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria (AISN), the late Sheikh Muhammad Kamalud-deen Al- Adaby for his commitment to the blending of Arabic and Western education which culminated in the establishment of a conventional university- Muhammad Kamalden University (MKU), Ilorin, Kwara State, named in his honour.
The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq led the pack of the dignitaries that acknowledged Sheikh Kamalud- deen’s commitment to the blending of Arabic and Western education in Nigeria during the official commissioning of MKU in Ilorin yesterday.
Other speakers at the well attended event included the representative of the Emir of Kano, Alh Aminu Ado Bayero, Amb. Ahamad Yakassai, former Senate president, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, representative of Osun state governor, Alh Nuruden Adeleke , Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) and president, Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria(AISN), Alh Suleiman Afolabi.
In his remarks, Governor AbdulRazaq who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi described the establishment of the university as “a product of great vision” from Sheikh Kamalud-deen.
The governor said the commissioning of the university further stamped the testament to the commitment of the late Sheik Kamalud-deen to “education and upliftment of human race”.
Saraki on his part, expressed delight that his effort and collaboration with the former chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Jibril Barau in facilitating the university’s take off had culminated in its take off .
He announced a full scholarship donation of 140 million for 100 students at N350,000 per session for each students for the duration of their four years programmes.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano observed that “the university environment is beautiful for education and has all the facilities for take off “.
Bayero praised the foresight of Sheik Kamalud-deen in initiating the teaching of Western education subjects alongside Arabic at his Arabic schools in Ilorin.
Earlier, the president of ASISN, Alh Suleiman Afolabi, had said that the university would require the sum of N215 million for its needs during the 2023/2024 academic session which will commence in January 2024.
The vice chancellor of MKU, Prof Rasheed Jimoh, while thanking the diginitaries that attended the occasion and made donations in cash and kind said the university will be ICT- driven and will be committed, ” to be an exemplary institution for teaching and research for the production of morally upright and globally competitive graduates and for community service.”
The Emir of Ilorin and chancellor of MKU, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the pro- chancellor of the university, Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem and the chairman of the central planning committee of the event, Engr Ahmad Ibrahim, played host to the diginitaries that attended the event from far and near.
