The academic stability, which distinguishes the University of Ilorin from other public universities in the country, has been attributed, in part, to the legendary harmony for which the host city, Ilorin, is universally known.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, made this analogy last Thursday (December 12, 2013) in his address at the public presentation and launch of the first edition of the Centre for Ilorin Studies' Book of Readings.

According to Prof. Ambali, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. F. A. Oladele, “it is noteworthy that the only public University in Nigeria that has 15 years of uninterrupted academic calendar is located in a city which is also known  as a state of harmony because it has historically accommodated people from many parts of modern Nigeria and  West Africa.”

Speaking further on the significance of the Centre and the book being presented, the Vice-Chancellor said that the young and old across all ethnicities who are interested in the history, culture and socio-economic development of Ilorin will find both the Centre and the book as a living guide. Prof. Ambali commended the Director of the Centre, Prof. A.G.A.S. Oladosu, for the giant strides which the Centre has made since he assumed office as its foundation head.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Centre, Prof.  Oladosu disclosed that the  mandate of the Centre for Ilorin Studies, is to acquire and preserve manuscripts and publications that are related to the cultural, spiritual, religious, educational, social, political, economic and other dimensions of growth and development of Ilorin Emirate, adding that the Centre would continue to capture contemporary socio-cultural, economic and emerging topical phenomena with bearings on the survival of the Emirate.

On the future plans of the Centre, Prof. Oladosu said, “We shall also collaborate with national and international research centres with shared interests and also engage in other activities with potentials for promoting Ilorin Studies.  All the collections of the Centre shall be digitised so that they could be easily assessed online.  In line with current global trend, we shall ensure that all our documentations are backed up with their pictorial forms, as much as possible. ”

While presenting the book, the reviewer, Prof. Z. I.  Oseni, noted that the 420-page book, divided into four sections, discusses issues on history, culture and peaceful co-existence in Ilorin in 24 articles, three of which are written in Arabic.

Prof. Oseni, who is a former Dean of Arts, University of Ilorin, disclosed that Ilorin has contributed hand-woven cloth, pottery and leather tanning, adding however that Islamic and Arabic scholarship remains the greatest contribution of the city to human development.

The don, who is also the Chief Imam and Waziri of Auchi, Edo State, pointed out that  many Ilorin scholars  had settled in cities across the South-south,  South-west and South-east parts of Nigeria, spreading in the process Islamic religion and scholarship. He noted that the establishment of the Centre of Ilorin Studies in 2010/2011 session is one of the greatest things that has happened at the University of Ilorin.

Also speaking on the occasion, a former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Abuja, Prof. S.O. AbdulRaheem, said that he is very committed to the activities of the Centre for Ilorin Studies.

Prof. Abdulraheem, who was represented by Dr. H. I. Abdulraheem of the Kwara State University, Malete, noted that Ilorin is as much a southern Nigerian city as it is a northern Nigerian city and by virtue of the ethnic groups in Ilorin, the city has amalgamated Nigeria even before the colonial masters did in 1914.

Among dignitaries who attended the occasion were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Y. M. Fakunle; the Registrar, Mr. E. D. Obafemi; the Librarian, Dr. J.O. Omoniyi; the Bursar, Mr. Abiodun S. Yusuf;  the former Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo, Prof.  O. B. Oloyede; the wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. T. Ambali; the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Salihu Woru, the Mogaji Nda of Ilorin; and a  former Commissioner of Health in Kwara state, Mrs. Ayinke Kuranga.

Others included the Director, Centre for Ilorin Manuscripts and Culture, Kwara State University, Malete, Dr. M. M. Jimba; the Provost, Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, Dr. Musa Abdullahi and a former Secretary to the Kwara State Government and President of the Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union, Alhaji Mudi Gold.