Lagos State government has announced a programme of event for the grand celebration of Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola’s retirement from Lagos State University (LASU) and the launch of his autobiography.

According to the Defender, the event, scheduled for Sunday July 9, 2023, will be hosted by Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State.

Distinguished guests, including Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, and Professor Alli Ibrahim Isa Pantami, the former minister of communications and digital economy, along with other notable dignitaries, will attend the ceremony to honour Professor Akintola’s remarkable 39-year contribution to education in Nigeria, particularly in the field of Islamic Studies.

During a pre-event press briefing held at the national headquarters of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in Lagos on Tuesday, the details of this significant event were announced.

The retirement and book launch ceremony will take place at the Combo Hall of LTV8 in Ikeja, Lagos, starting at 10 am.

Governor Sanwo-Olu will serve as the chief host, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the host, and the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, as the hostess.

Dr. Busari Jamiu Muhammad, the chairman of the planning committee and MURIC Lagos State, stated that the event would also include an award ceremony honouring deserving Nigerians who have made notable contributions.

The book, titled “My Jihad: The Autobiography of an Islamic Eschatologist cum Human Rights Activist,” will be reviewed by Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji, the vice-chancellor of Ahman Patego University, and will be launched during the ceremony. Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), an erudite constitutional lawyer and Permanent Member of The DEFENDER Newspaper’s Advisory Board, will serve as the chairman of the Occasion.

The keynote address will be delivered by former Governor El-Rufai, and the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh (Engr) Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nuolla, will attend the retirement celebration and book launch as the spiritual father of the day. Additionally, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, the Deputy President-General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), will be present as the father of the day.

Professor Akintola, speaking at the press briefing, expressed his excitement about retiring “while I am still active upstairs and downstairs” after 39 years of service to the nation. He explained that this retirement would provide him with more time and opportunities to contribute to national development through his activism. As he transitioned from director to executive director of MURIC, Professor Akintola carefully selected the awardees for their significant contributions to national growth and development.

He revealed the distinguished individuals who will receive awards at the upcoming event. Mallam El-Rufai will be honored with the ‘Icon of Arewa Integrity’ award, Professor Pantami will receive the ‘Pride of Islamic Scholar’ award, and Dr. Muiz Banire, the former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, will be presented with the ‘Hero of Badr’ award by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) during the book launch and retirement ceremony.

The upcoming event will bestow honors upon several notable individuals. Among them, the Oniwo of Iwo Land, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi, will receive the esteemed ‘Defender of the Faithful’ award. Additionally, the Oniba of Iba Land, Oba Raji Asade, will be recognized with both the ‘Defender of the Mandate’ award and the ‘Hero of Badr’ award. Moreover, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike and Dr. Ismail Adebola Akindele will be jointly presented with the ‘Hero of Badr’ award.