What People Say About Professor AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji

Integrity News Eulogises..

Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, December 19, 2025, at his residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

His Janazah prayers were held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque, Oja’agbo, and he was laid to rest at a Muslim cemetery in Ogbomoso, in accordance with Islamic rites. He left behind a legacy marked by honour, humility, and heartfelt service.

With deep sadness and profound respect, we remember Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji, an outstanding scholar, dedicated public servant, devout Muslim, and committed mentor whose life touched many across academia, public service, and community.

Professor Raji was a distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Ibadan, where he dedicated decades to teaching, research, and the training of generations of engineers and scientists. Known for his intellectual rigour and compassionate mentorship.

He made lasting contributions to his field and to the development of young minds committed to addressing Nigeria’s agricultural and environmental challenges.

His academic achievements were matched by his commitment to national service. Professor Raji served with integrity and professionalism as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun States. In these roles, he played a vital part in the administration of elections, upholding the principles of due process and transparent electoral management.

His stewardship during key electoral cycles earned him respect among colleagues, stakeholders, and community leaders alike.

Beyond his professional obligations, Professor Raji was deeply committed to faith and community life. As a strong and generous member of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), he supported the society not only with his presence but also through significant financial contributions that helped sustain its mission and impact on Muslim youth. His faith was central to his identity, guiding his compassion, humility, and service.

Members of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) described him as “a devout Muslim, accomplished scholar and a distinguished public servant” whose dedication to the welfare of others exemplified the values he cherished.

His loss is felt across communities: in universities, where his students continue to carry forward his dedication to knowledge; in the electoral bodies where his example of probity still inspires; and in the hearts of all who knew him as a man of righteousness, wisdom, and kindness.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Muiba cherished children, extended family, friends, colleagues, and countless students whose lives he shaped. In every role he held—teacher, leader, mentor, and servant of humanity—Professor Raji demonstrated a rare blend of scholarly excellence and deep, personal faith.

May Allah Almighty accept his return, forgive his shortcomings, and reward his abundant contributions with Al-Jannah Al-Firdaws. May his family, friends, and all whose lives he enriched find strength, comfort, and patience in this time of mourning.

Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji will forever remain a beacon of intellectual integrity, service, and faith.

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His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Muhammad Abubakar has condolled with the family and the South West Muslim Ummah on the demise of Prof. Abdulganiy Raji.

Said he: ” May Allah forgive Prof Raji and grant him Aljannah Firdaus, amin!! Our condolences to all esp the immediate family.

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The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has mourned the death of the Chairman of its Secretariat Advisory Committee, Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji.

MUSWEN, in a statement jointly signed by Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, FCS and Professor Wole Abbas, President and Executive Secretary respectively, described the deceased as “a devout Muslim, accomplished scholar and a distinguished public servant.”

Professor Raji died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, December 19, 2025 at his residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

A Professor of Agricultural And Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Professor Raji was a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti, Ogun and Osun States.

MUSWEN said “by the death of Professor Raji, the Muslim Ummah has lost a rare gem who was always ready to deploy his intelect, time, moral and material resources in the service of Allah and humanity. We pray Almighty Allah to accept his return, grant him Aljanah Firdaws and give his family and associates the fortitude to bear the loss.”

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Political Awareness Group PAG has commiserated with Ogbomoso Zone and the entire PAG on the great loss to the Ummah.

According to Dr Lukmon Fasasi Professor AbdulGaniy Raji was a good friend, brother and Muslim.

He encouraged to pay their last respect to the departed soul in line with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

May Allah grant his soul a resting place in Al-Jannah Firdaus, amin.

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‎MSSN B-Zone Mourns the Passing of Professor AbdulGaniy Raji
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‎The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), B-Zone, has received with total submission to Allah – the Almighty – the news of the death of Professor AbdulGaniy Raji, a renowned scholar, public servant, and a committed member and supporter of the Society.
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‎Professor AbdulGaniy Raji was a Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Ibadan, where he made outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and the mentoring of generations of students. He also served the nation with distinction as a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun, Ekiti and Ogun States, playing a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic processes.
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According to a statement by ‎‎Dr. Kolawole Moshood Adelaja, ‎Amir, MSSN, B-Zone and ‎Moshood Abiola Tahir, PRO, MSSN, B-Zone, Professor Raji was a man of sound intellect, integrity, and deep Islamic values. His relationship within MSSN was marked by sincere commitment, moral guidance, and unwavering support for the spiritual and intellectual development of Muslim students. He consistently stood as a source of encouragement and wisdom to both members and leaders of the Society.
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‎Allah says:
‎’كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ`
‎“Every soul shall taste death.’ (Q3:185)
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‎Indeed, Professor AbdulGaniy Raji lived a life of service to knowledge, humanity, and the Muslim Ummah. His legacy in academia, public service, and Islamic activism remains a lasting testament to a life spent in obedience to Allah and service to mankind.
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‎The leadership and entire members of MSSN B-Zone extend heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues at the University of Ibadan, associates, students, and the entire Muslim Ummah. We pray Allah (SWT) grants them patience and comfort at this moment of great loss.
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‎Allah (SWT) says” “وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ”
‎“And give glad tidings to those who are patient.” (Q2:155)
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‎We pray Allah forgive him, have mercy on him, pardon him and grant him well-being, honour his abode, expand his grave, make it a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and admit him into Al-Firdaws al-A’lā.
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‎May Allah accept his good deeds, forgive his shortcomings, and grant him the highest place in Jannah.
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‎Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.
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Tribute in honour of Prof Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji by Profesdor Olaiya Abideen Olaitan

At a trial period like this, I usually run for cover with a Qur’an phrase: Indeed we are from God and to Him is our return and the prophetic saying when faced with similar circumstance during his lifetime ” Our heart is full of grief and our eyes is full of tears but we will not use our mouth to utter anything negative against our Lord”

I met Prof Raji at University of Ibadan in 1990 through academic/religious activism and our friendship/brotherhood blossomed till he breathed his last yesterday.

Prof Raji’s brilliance earned him first class in his first degree and his religious activism led to his appointment as President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria even as a postgraduate student. He won scholarship for his Ph.D program at United Kingdom and continue excelling in both academic and religious activities to become best student in his department and leader of the Muslim Student Association of his University.

On his return to the country in the late 1990s, he came back fully as one of the strategic dawah workers enriching both the academic and religious community with his wealth of experience gained from abroad. I can recollect vividly two assignments we took together during those periods; one is fund Mobilization for Dawah work through internal mechanisms and the second one is the settlement of internal crisis brewing in Ogbomoso Area Council at that particular time.

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Qasim Adedeji former bzone Ameer writes;

Professor Raji was a pillar of support for my leadership at the B- Zone (1999-2005), he was always around with brilliant ideas when it comes to policy direction while always avoid ceremonials. He supported the idea of permanent site for IVC, extra project development levy for delegate registration at IVC as well as special leadership training.

When MUSWEN idea germinated, he was there with water nurturing it to fruition, as the Chairman of the Secretariat Advisory Committee, he had slated another meeting for Sunday 21st December, 2025 which his death did not allow us.

Apart from his services to the academic and religious communities, he was twice invited to serve the nation; the first one is the representation of Oyo State at the Constituent assembly of 2014 while the second one is the INEC Commissioner between 2017 and 2023, on both occasions he served creditably well to make all his associates proud of him.

He was one of the earliest supporters of the Establishment of Al Ummah University and great asset to the present achievement so far, always ready to volunteer for any assignment along with financial contributions. As at the time of his death, he was leading two separate teams pursuing two important projects for the University.

At his burial, a lot were said, the question is what will be said after you. Let’s live a purposeful and responsible life. A famous poem we were taught early in our Qur’anic school goes thus ” All humans shall become history/story, the most important thing in life is to be a good one”

May Allah in His infinite mercy admit him to the highest grade of paradise, may He the everlasting be with the family left and reunite all of us as family/friends in paradise as we used to be in this life.

Prof. Raji was one of the highest donors to the project of Islamic Vacation Course Permanent Camp when I was the B-Zone Amir of MSSN. Apart from several monetary contributions, he bought our second Mikano generator without asking. He was responsible for electrification of the camp buying all the electric poles, wires and paying for the connection. In all these, he would not want to be known, recognized or praised. He was committed to success of all programs and projects of the society. He respected the office of the Amir so much; he would offer his sincere advice but would not take offense if his advice could not be implemented. In all the states he was posted as INEC REC, he would interact well with the leadership of the society in such state as a member. There is no doubt that MSSN will miss him greatly. I pray that, as he passes his first night in the grave, may Allah accept all these efforts for him as acts of worship, illuminate his grave, have mercy on his soul and admit him to jannatul firdaws. Surely, our eyes shed tears and our hearts grief but we will not say anything except that which pleases our Lord. We are indeed bereaved with your death our dear brother, friend and leader, Prof. AbdulGaniy OLAYINKA Raji.

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Madinah Alabi-Adegboyeha Recalls

With a heavy heart but in total submission to the decree of Allah Azawajal, we mourn the passage of a respected and humble soul.

Ya Allah, This is your will, we say nothing but that which is pleasing to you.

Over 3 decades ago, I was with my grandma at Sabo, Ibadan,still in secondary school.
Then came a University of Ibadan MSSN bus blarring the Qunut, can’t even remember whether it was that green bus that year.

That Qunut sounds those years always make me trip for going to U.I ,then came down this young brother behind the wheel, crossed the road and entered my grannies shop.

He greeted with humility and my granny started praising him “you know those omo kini,omo kini”. Asking about school and “Se o ngburo Ile”.

Mama n Sabo of blessed memories then turned to me and said” Modina, egbon re nuuu lati Ile Fedegbo, U.I lowa. And that was all.

Fast forward to U.I days, I came to realise that I don’t even need to be related to him to have access, highly approachable with humility per excellent.
Dr. will still be using “e” for me even as his younger niece.

Marriage took me to stay behind his residence then at Agbowo express and that showed me more how humane to the core he was.
We left Ibadan for Lagos and to think that distance can create a barrier? Nope.

Prof will call my husband to tell me about job opportunities he saw and wants me to try my luck. His being busy never make him forget people. I am always proud about that quality of his.
Indeed MSSN gave me plenty of big brothers but blood always stood out .

He recently had a meeting with my in-laws in Ibadan for yet another good thing he was known for (upholding families) and told my hubbys’ elder brother himself that “Aburo mi ni iyawo yin”.

Since yesternight, the gentle voice kept ringing and I realised that distance can’t even be a barrier to the soft spot we have for people.

I besiege Allah to be gentle on your soul, forgive your shortcomings and grant you the best place in Aljannah Firdausi.

My dear Sister ,Hajia Muibah and the Children, be sure that Allah knows and he will surely keep you all safe this trying moment and beyond.

Inna Lillahi wa Inna ilayhi rojiuun.
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Professor AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji, 1965 to 2025: A Tribute by Idowu Olayinka

A friend called me on phone at 8:27 pm yesterday evening, Friday 19th December 2025, sounded deeply worried and troubled, to inquire if I have heard anything about our colleague and common friend Professor AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji. I replied in the negative. I promised him that I would try to find out and decided to call the Dean of our Faculty of Technology, Professor Isaac Bamgboye. He told me that both himself and AbdulGaniy were together in their Department (Agricultural and Environmental Engineering) the previous day for the External Examination of their MSc students.

I felt relieved but he promised to find out. Dean Bamgboye called me back at 8:56 pm to confirm the very sad and depressing news of the transition of our friend, Professor AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji. He was only 60 years old!

I worked with AbdulGaniy at the International School University of Ibadan (ISI) during my stint as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Chairman of the ISI Board of Governors.

At one of our meetings AbdulGaniy alluded to some of the reasons why not a few of our 100 level students of Engineering struggle to pass their Mathematics in relation to the Curriculum especially if they had not offered Further Mathematics at Senior Secondary School. At another time he stated authoritatively that Mathematics is an Arts subject. He should know, as a Professor of Engineering with a special interest in Mathematical Modelling.

Indeed when the University College Ibadan opened its doors to students in January 1948, with three Faculties namely Arts, Science and Medicine, the Department of Mathematics was domiciled in the Faculty of Arts and the situation remained so until the mid-1960s when Mathematics was relocated to the Faculty of Science. Many of the first generation of graduates of Mathematics at Ibadan (University College Ibadan/University of Ibadan) earned Bachelor of Arts degree.

From July 2018 till October 2020, I was invited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to serve on four different occasions as State Collation Officer or the Returning Officer for elections held in Ekiti State (off season Governorship), Ogun State (regular Governorship in 2019), Ondo State (off season Governorship in 2020) and Ekiti State (Presidential in 2019).

In all these cases I discharged my duties creditably to the best of my ability, so much so that my employer, the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan commended me. In truth, the task was made seamless for me because in all the instances a brother, Professor AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji, was always on hand as an INEC Commissioner to guide me. I can never forget his honesty of purpose, transparency, selflessness and competence.

He was such a true patriot. I had never been prouder of him as a fellow Native of U.I.

I was very happy when I reliably gathered some three months ago that he was one of the 10 candidates shortlisted for the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Abuja. Knowing his credentials, hard work, track record of honesty and transparency I wished he would clinch the position for which he was eminently qualified. But unfortunately that was not to be.

Condolences to his wife, children, friends and associates. The good God will forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.

Idowu Olayinka
Former Vice-Chancellor
University of Ibadan
Saturday, 20th December 2025

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WE LOST A RARE GEM: ABDULGANIY OLAYINKA RAJI by Professor Mobolaji Omobowale

From God we came, and to him we shall return.

I regret to announce the sudden demise of our dearly beloved Academic Father, mentor, teacher and benefactor, Professor Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji, who departed this world on Friday 19 December, 2025.

Late Prof Raji, a First Class graduate of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Ibadan and recipient of the Commonwealth Scholarship, was until his passing, an astute academic and a dedicated member of the University of Ibadan Community in different capacities, as well as at the National level in Nigeria.

It is on record that Late Prof Raji, an expert in Crop Processing and Storage Engineering, was a leading light in the area of Mathematical Modelling of Agricultural Systems.

He was well sought after both locally and internationally in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Agriculture.

He has been a recipient of numerous grants and awards both locally and internationally,
a testament to his brilliance and indepth knowledge.

At different times, he served within the University of Ibadan Community as Head of Department, Director of Management Information Systems/ICT, and the Central Appointments and Promotions Panel, among many others.

At the National level, he was among the delegates from Oyo State to the 2014 National Conference in Abuja. Moreover, on account of his expertise, dedication to duty and trustworthiness, he was again called upon for National Service as a Resident Electoral Commissioner under the Independent National Electoral Commission from 2017 to 2023, a position in which he served meritoriously.

At the professional level, he was a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, among many others.

Professor Mobolaji Omobowale, HOD
Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan.

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Ali Institute for Qur’an Memorization, Ibadan mourns

Prof. Abdulganiy Olayinka Raji of the department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan has always being a strong pillar of support to our Institute in all ramifications. He is very passionate about Islam and its growth. Always available to render assistance as much as he can to both old and young with golden advices. Very conscious of His Deen at all times. He has always attended all our Haflah and even the one we held on Sunday.

May Allah forgive his shortcomings, admit him into a lofty height in paradise and take care of his wife, children and relatives he left behind. Aamin.

From all of us Ali Institute for Qur’an Memorization, Ibadan our condolences to the family.

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Professor AbdulGaniyu Raji: A Tribute by Gani Adeniran

In his epic inaugural lecture Titled…After A Brief Illness” delivered many years ago, renowned cardiologist and University of Ibadan 9th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodele Falase NNOM, took us through the aetiopathogenesis of the heart and its various issues and concluded that it is when the heart stopped working that people are pronounced dead. “After a brief illness” is the usual cliche that is often used to explain away when someone died.

Because our late brother friend and colleague Professor AbdulGaniyu Olayinka Raji (AOR) died so suddenly without any accident or sickness or hospitalisation the family said he passed on peacefully in his sleep.

The riddle or puzzle of AOR’s demise will keep agitating our minds as scholars even by his own faith and total submission to Allah we must not ask questions as to why he had to died in the circumstances. He was reported to have taught a postgraduate course on Thursday afternoon and drove himself to Ogbomoso some three hours away, only to have been reported dead a few hours after his hometown.

Sometimes in 1986 or thereabout as a Youth Corper in Sokoto state a ranking Professor of the then University of Sokoto had died in an auto accident along the Sokoto Road coming from Zaria. Even before the wife was notified or before she got to Sokoto the husband had been buried! The wife a Christian was so enraged that she called for the exhumation of the body of her husband.

The issue generated a lot of controversies on the campus because there was a power struggle in the University then in which the late Professor was involved. The rest as they say is history.

Our AOR led a spartan life of integrity, honesty and transparency He served the University and the nation with absolute dedication and unblemished reputation. When his second term as Resident Electoral Commissioner REC was about to finish I asked him if he was ready to continue as a Federal INEC. I made few contacts but the power that be settled for a lady who was dropped for being too partisan during the live screening session.

Professor Raji was a man of few words deep and highly reflective. Again just recently a friend and a classmate at the University of Ibadan reached out to me during the Vice Chancellorship race of University of Abuja. He said that the only person he fears amongst the co contestants was the person from Ibadan that is Professor Raji. I told him that AOR is as well connected in Abuja as he was respected at home. He was also on the bid for consideration for another post that I am aware of.

The quality of audience at his Janazah attest to his life well spent in the total service of Allah and humanity May Allah accept his final return forgive his short comings illuminate his grave and grant him Aljanah Firdaus.

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Dr Kafilah Bakare-Oyaremi submits…

I said here that “baba ku, baba ku” but baba to ku na ti ku o.

I said “aye baba yo silẹ, ase ko ti yo. Olohun o, ma jẹ o yo o.

I promised to make you proud, have I? Did I? I will definitely stop being lazy bi idhnillah.

I am bereaved!

Allah gifted you to me and He took you from me.

You were a father to me till your last moments.

You supported me till the very end.

Pray for my “father” please.

Yah Allah shower your mercy on him, overlook his shortcomings, forgive his sins, bless all that he left behind and console every grieving heart. Aameen, thumma aameen.

I will forever miss you DADDY.

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What I learnt from Professor Abdulganiy Raji’s Life- Anonymous

1. Janazah Prayer: The grand chief imam of Ogbomosoland led the Janazah Prayer for professor Abdulganiy Raji’s corpse. I pray my deceased body could consist of this kind of congregation of Muslims who prayed to his corpse and even more. We prayed inside the Oja-igbo central mosque. The prayer was like Jum’ah prayer today. May Allah accept it as

2. Family Accolades: Both immediate and extended family felt the demise of prof. Abdulganiy Raji. When I was coming out from the cemetery, a car gave me a ride to the main road and I was amazed with their chats describing the prof as a philanthropist who used to give kind gestures to his family members. They even called him a breadwinner that no one can fill the vacuum he left.

3. Old Neighbours Sympathy: When Professor Abdulganiy Raji was not prominent, his neighbour enjoyed his company. He was known to be a good companion to everyone such that they still benefit from him till the last day. Even the Imam of the mosque where he lived 20 years ago extolled him that to break his death news was not easy.

4. Friends/Colleague Support: His friends and colleagues describe him as a friend in deed one could not afford to miss. For his attitude towards people’s lives. The way they trooped out for his Janazah and burial showed the type of friend he was during his lifetime. The likes of JAMB Chairman Professor Isiak Oloyede, UI professors, and other academics from other institutions.

5. Religious personalities attendance: I was surprised to meet members of MSSN from Ogun, Osun, Kwara and Oyo states at his burial today. NACOMYO, MUSLIM COMMUNITIES, MSSN and others that I could not identify. Out of the grand chief imam of Ogbomosoland’s tight schedule, he stopped a program at 10:57am for the burial to commence as scheduled at 11:00am. UI imam, prof. Uthman MSSN Ameers and other clergymen

May Allah forgive the soul of professor Abdulganiy Raji, give his family and Muslims fortitude to bear the loss.
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Accompanying our mentor to his final resting place… By Idris Ismail

May Allah bless you and all our leaders, brothers, mentees and friends on ground today.

Prof Isiaq Oloyede
Prof Aderinoye
Dr Amoo Alaga
Prof Abideen Olaiya
Hon Maruf Akinwande
Prof Lukmon Akingbile
Prof Lateef Sanni
Prof Uthman Ibrahim
Prof Abduljaleel Shittu
Prof Adeleye
Prof Yusuf
Prof Muibi Musa
Representative of the VC( HOD of his department, coincidentally my room mate in Indy hall we last saw in2001)
Mallam Musa Federal Polytechnic Ayede Ogbomoso
Alh Taofeeq Akinola
Alh Ibrahim Giwa
Alh Lateef Abdul Ganiy
Dr Haadi Tiamiy
General Luqman Awal
Engr Abdulganiy Akinoso
Dr Nurudeen Oloso
Ba’ameko of Ibadan land
Ahmed Olanrewaju
Oyekunle Tajudeen
Professor Taofeeq Yaqeen
Dr Mutiu Agboke and wife
Bar Waheed Lawal
Pharmacist Akinwande
Mal Maruf Olabamiji ( lawole sun)
Alh Taofeeq Akinwale
Alh Mutiu Jaiz
Prof Yahyah Mijinyawa ( I really didn’t know him)
Chairman Nacomyo
National Ameer MSSN and his team
Zonal Ameer and his team
Unit Ameer and his team
MSSN UI
UI Muslim community
UI academic community
MSSN agbowo Central Branch
Ogbomoso central branch
Ogbomoso Area Council
And so many MSSN veterans.