| Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State stood still last Thursday, July 22, as renowned Islamic scholar and preacher, Sheikh Sulayman Farouq Onikijipa became the fourth Grand Mufti of the city and its environs.
The turbaning ceremony, which took place at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari (OFR), was at the instance of the monarch who appointed Onikijipa as the new Grand Mufti. The turbaning was made during the mini durbar organized within the palace on the third day of the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
His appointment, The Nigerian Xpress learnt, was borne out of his immense contributions to the growth of Islam, Islamic education and welfare of humanity.
As early as 7.00 a.m, gaily dressed people from all walks of life from within and abroad converged on the Emir’s palace to be part of the historic event. The erudite scholar of Arabic and Islamic Studies is widely known as a top-class preacher, prolific writer and teacher. He is the founder and proprietor of Markaz Al-Amani Arabic and Islamic Institute located in the Ojodu-Berger axis of Lagos.
Born in 1962, the widely travelled student of the world-renowned scholar, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, studied at the Arabic and Islamic Institute (Markaz), Agege, Lagos, founded by Al-Ilory, his master and mentor and graduated in 1986 with distinction.
He also holds a Diploma and Higher Diploma in Islamic Religion, Bachelor Degree in Islamic Studies from Pebble University, Australia as well as a Doctorate Certificate in Human Services, Columbus Worldwide College, Neutron, England.
Humble, compassionate and generous, Sheikh Sulayman Farouq Onikijipa, is married and blessed with children.
The Emir’s palace, the venue of the occasion was filled to the brim as captains of industry, politicians, business tycoons, media veterans, academics, market men and women, students as well as artisans graced the occasion in large numbers. |