The inaugural AA Ramadan Lecture took place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, drawing a large and distinguished audience of politicians, businessmen, technocrats, and traditional rulers.

Held at the AbdulRazaq family residence in Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State, the lecture was themed "Preserving the Footprints of Our Forebears in Ilorin Emirate as Muslim Ummah." Two prominent scholars, Dr Hussain Musa M-Bashir and Alfa Lukman Mukthar Isale-Koto, delivered insightful lectures focused on the future of Ilorin, captivating attendees with their thought-provoking analyses.

Notable dignitaries in attendance included Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, Special Adviser/Counselor Alh Saadu Salahu, NNPCL Non-Executive Director Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya, Dr Funsho AbdulRazaq, Engr Rahman Giwa, Prof Ibrahim Jawondo, Alh Usman Bibire Ajape, and Comrade Issa Aremu, Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Legislative Studies (MINILS). Other attendees were Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development Dr Afeez Abolore, Special Adviser on Media Alh Bashir Adigun, Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam) Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro, Chairman of Alliance For Sustainable Kwara (ASK) Alh Razaq Lawal, General Manager of KWASSIP Dr AbdulWasiu Tejidini, and Alh Hassan Gegele.

Also present were the NSIP focal person in Kwara, Dr Rabiat Alabere; former Permanent Secretary Hajia Mopelola AbdulRahman; Alh AbdulGaniyu Galadima, Adviser on Intra-party Affairs Alh Mashood Alaka; Chairman of Ilorin West Hon Ladan; Chairman of the National League of Veteran Journalists Alh Tunde Akanbi; Dr Lawal Olohungbebe; Regional Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspapers Alh Abdullahi Olesin; State APC Women Leader Hajia Falilat Mohammed; her counterpart from Kwara Central Hajia Tawa Agaka; and Special Adviser on Civic Engagement Hajia Humulkhaeri Alaye.

This event underscored the importance of preserving cultural and religious heritage while fostering development within the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.

In his lecture, Dr Hussain Musa M- Bashir emphasised that Ilorin, Kwara State capital was founded on knowledge ( both Islamic and Western education).

He listed the Ilorin forerunners in the area of Islamic education to include Sheikh Mohammed Kamaldeen, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al- Ilory, Baba Lagbaji and Sheikh Abubakar Agbarigidoma, adding that the late Alh AGF AbdulRazaq(SAN), Dr Olusola Saraki, Dr Amuda Aluko, Shettima Lar and Alh Gobir were the forerunners in the area of Western education.

He listed the late Alh Aminu Saro and the late Alh Woli Alasinrin in the area of business and trading. He said the aforementioned people were the models which young Ilorin people should be emulating.

�The young Ilorin people just like the aforementioned forerunners should focus on educational attainment and business to earn decent living. They should not deviate from the way of their forerunners. They should have faith in Allah and have contentment. They should wait for their time,� he said.

In his lecture, Alfa Lukman Mukthar Isale- Koto, pointed out that Ilorin was built on plan, urging the people of the community to return to their old values in the areas of attending morning madrasa and their unique marriage institution.

�We should blend Islamic education with vocational training. The number of days for attending Islamic schools should be reduced to accommodate vocational training. Government should takeover the payment of salaries of teachers of Islamic schools and should also take interest in the curriculum of madrasa( Islamic Studies schools),� he said.

Both lecturers acknowledged the giant strides of the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in all sectors, especially education and infrastructural development, urging him not to rest on his oars.