The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has been praised for his ongoing efforts to promote knowledge, national unity, and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. The Sultan, who is the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Chairman of the National Council for Traditional Rulers, was also commended for his fight against ignorance and terrorism.
The recognition came from Islamic scholars of the Ilorin Emirate, expressed in a letter signed by the First Mallami Ubandoma of Ilorin Emirate, Dr. Abdulkadir Salman, following the Sultan’s recent visit to Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State in North Central Nigeria.
In the letter, Dr. Abdulkadir lauded the Sultan’s continuous efforts, stating, “Your fight against ignorance and terrorism, coupled with your relentless promotion of knowledge, unity, and peaceful coexistence among the people of Nigeria, is greatly appreciated. Your consistent stance for goodness and righteousness serves as an example for us all.”
Dr. Abdulkadir also praised the Sultan’s compassion for ordinary people and described him as a pious and influential leader of Nigeria’s Muslim community. “I am always moved by your passion, compassion, and affection for the ordinary people. It reflects your piety and the noble legacy you inherited from the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, Shaykh Uthman Dan Fodiyo, and his successors.”
He continued, “This quality is evident in your leadership of the Nigerian Muslim community, extending love and unity to Muslims across all regions of Nigeria, as well as those of other nationalities.”
Dr. Abdulkadir expressed his gratitude for the Sultan’s visit to Ilorin and prayed for his continued health and prosperity, which would allow him to keep providing exemplary leadership to the Nigerian Muslim community.
The First Mallami Ubandoma, who is also the founder of Darul-Kitab Wa Sunnah College of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin, was assigned to the Sultan by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who warmly welcomed the Sultan during his visit.
The Sultan’s visit to Ilorin was to attend a public lecture and book presentations in honour of Professor Is’aq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), at the University of Ilorin, and to attend the convocation ceremony of Ojaja University, established by the Ọọni of Ife, Ọba Enitan Ogunwusi.
Before returning to Sokoto, a farewell prayer was held for the Sultan by Dr. Abdulkadir at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin.