The new Secretary- General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, former Vice- Chancellor, University of Ilorin, has been advised to see the position as a big call to service.

Other new officers include Alhaji Arisekola Alao as Deputy President 1, Prof. Tijani Al- Miskeen as Deputy Secretary – General North while Sheikh Adam Idoko emerged as Deputy Secretary – General South.

The contest was between two professors; Prof. Isiaq Oloyede and Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi of the University of Lagos. NSCIA has been working underground to find a replacement for Secretary-General following the death of the last occupier of that office, Dr. AbdulLateef Adegbite.

Sources close to NSCIA revealed that several factors were taken into cognizance before arriving at the choice of successor.

He had his secondary education from 1969-1973 at the Progressive Institute, Agege Lagos and Arabic Training Centre Agege, Lagos, (Markaz) from 1973-1976 and later at the University of Ibadan between 1976 and 1977 where he obtained a certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies.

His tertiary education began in the University of Ilorin in 1978 where he studied Arabic and was awarded B.A. Arabic (First Class Hons.) in 1981. In July 1982 he was appointed an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Religions of the University. In 1991, he had his Doctorate degree in Islamic Studies also from the University of Ilorin.

Prof. Oloyede earned several scholarships and prizes during his student days, notable among which were the Arab League prize for the best final year Certificate student in Arabic and Islamic Studies in 1977 at the University of Ibadan; Federal Government undergraduate merit award from 1979 to 1981; Department of Religions Award, University of Ilorin, 1981 and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Award, Unilorin also in 1981.

To choose a successor in accordance with the NSCIA Constitution, the executive committee of the Council called a meeting with the specific aim of picking Adegbite’s replacement. In doing so, the council consider all individuals put forward by the different group affiliated to the NSCIA.

After the meeting led by the NSCIA President, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the nomination or appointment was subjected to the ratification of the general congress comprising delegates from various Muslim groups across the country.

Prof. Oloyede hails from Abeokuta as the late Dr. Adegbite. Also, he is a first class graduate of Arabic Education and frontline university scholar and administrator. Many believed his current position as one of the secretaries of the Nigerian-Inter-religious Council (NIREC) will help him a lot.

When Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki became the Sultan of Sokoto in 1988 and President-General of the NSCIA, Adegbite was appointed Secretary- General of the council. Under the leadership of Adegbite and Dasuki, the NSCIA, which was established in 1974, became much more active, with the late scribe virtually becoming the face of the organisation.