Iwo Son Becomes Yorubaland’s First Muslim Professor of Arabic Without Secondary School

Prof. Razaq Abubakre’s remarkable journey from self-study to academic excellence

The remarkable story of Professor Razaq Deremi Abubakre, an indigene of Iwo, Osun State, has continued to inspire generations, particularly for his extraordinary journey from a humble educational background to the pinnacle of Arabic scholarship in Nigeria.

Born on January 20, 1948, in Iwo, Abubakre rose to become the first Muslim Professor of Arabic in Yorubaland, a feat that established his place among the foremost scholars of Arabic and Islamic studies in the country.

What makes his achievement even more remarkable is the unusual path through which he attained academic excellence.

Available biographical accounts indicate that Abubakre did not attend a conventional secondary school. Instead, he pursued much of his early education through Arabic and Islamic learning, self-study and personal discipline.

His determination eventually paid off when he obtained distinctions that enabled him to proceed to the University of Ibadan, where he studied Arabic and graduated with First Class honours.

In an interview published by The PUNCH, Abubakre recalled how he returned to formal schooling after leaving in 1961 and was placed in Year Three in 1966. He said he subsequently performed exceptionally well, before later taking the University of Ibadan entrance examination for a Certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies in 1969.

His academic journey later took him to the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, where he pursued doctoral studies in Arabic Literature under a Commonwealth Scholarship and completed his PhD in 1980.

READ ALSO:

• Troops Take Down Zamfara Bandit Kingpins Baban Love, Mai Zamani, Three Others
• FG Gives N250m To Families Of 37 Miners Who Died In NSCDC Custody
• Tompolo’s PBAT Movement Suspends Campaign Over Ondo Military Crash

In 1989, Abubakre was appointed a Professor of Arabic at the University of Ilorin, at the age of 41, cementing his place in the history of Arabic scholarship in Yorubaland.

But beyond his own academic accomplishments, perhaps the most enduring part of Abubakre’s legacy is the number of scholars and intellectuals he taught and mentored.

Among those associated with him as students are Professor Ishaq Oloyede, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and current Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB); Professor Muhammad Shafi’u Abdullahi, former Registrar of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS); and Professor Amidu Olalekan Sanni, former Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University.

Others include Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, as well as Professors K.K. Oloso and Muhibbu-Din Opeloye, who served at different times as commissioners in Oyo and Osun states respectively.

Academic records and scholarly publications also attest to Abubakre’s influence on the development of Arabic and Islamic scholarship in Nigeria. A University of Ibadan research publication, for instance, lists him alongside Professor Ishaq Oloyede and other prominent scholars as products of the Arabic-Islamic educational tradition.

Abubakre’s career has extended beyond the classroom. He served as Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and held several academic and administrative responsibilities, while also contributing extensively to scholarship through books, journal articles and international academic engagements.

His story therefore goes beyond the title of professor.

It is a story of determination, self-education, intellectual discipline and mentorship.

For Iwo, it is also a story of a son of the ancient town who rose from an unconventional educational beginning to become a major figure in Arabic scholarship and a mentor to generations of academics.

Professor Abubakre’s journey demonstrates that the circumstances of one’s beginning do not necessarily determine the height of one’s achievement.

From Iwo to the University of Ibadan, from there to SOAS in London and eventually to professorial leadership in Nigeria, his life remains an enduring testimony to the power of knowledge, perseverance and purposeful mentorship.

At a time when educational opportunities are increasingly available to millions of young Nigerians, the story of the Iwo-born scholar offers another important lesson: great intellectual achievements can emerge from the most unlikely beginnings when determination is matched with discipline and opportunity.

Iwo Son Becomes Yorubaland’s First Muslim Professor of Arabic Without Secondary School

President Tinubu Mourns 32 NAF Personnel in Ondo Jet Crash, Orders Immediate Probe

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of all 32 personnel on board.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday morning when the aircraft, on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, went down shortly before reaching its destination. The victims include 25 passengers and seven crew members.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as “a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation.”

“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Tinubu said.

The President extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force community.

READ ALSO:

• Benue Boat Mishap: Catholic Priest Among Four Dead, Nine Missing
• Rivers Police Arrest OSPAC Operative Over Alleged Killing, Secret Burial
• Adeleke Signs New Law to Regulate Motor Parks Across Osun

President Tinubu revealed that he had received a briefing from the Chief of Air Staff and has directed an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.

“I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” he stated.

The President commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate Search and Rescue operation following the accident, as well as the swift response of first responders and the Ondo State Government at the crash site.

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers and for Almighty God to grant their families and the Nigerian Air Force the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss,” Tinubu said.

He further assured the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of his administration as they continue their vital role in securing the nation.

The crash marks one of the deadliest air disasters involving Nigerian military personnel in recent years, casting a shadow over the nation’s security apparatus. The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release further details as the investigation gets underway.

President Tinubu Mourns 32 NAF Personnel in Ondo Jet Crash, Orders Immediate Probe

BREAKING: Many Feared Dead as Helicopter Crashes in Ondo Community

Several people are feared dead after a helicopter crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.

The incident occurred in the riverine community, triggering panic among residents as efforts began to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and the fate of those on board.

Early reports indicate that the aircraft came down in a swampy area opposite a naval base in Igbokoda. The helicopter was reportedly badly damaged, with one local official saying military equipment was found at the scene.

The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, confirmed the crash when contacted by journalists but said the number of people aboard the aircraft could not immediately be established.

He reportedly said the helicopter had been burnt extensively, making it difficult to determine the number of occupants or confirm their identities.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear as of Monday afternoon. It was also not immediately established whether the aircraft was operated by the military, a private company or another organisation.

Some reports described the aircraft as a suspected military helicopter, based on the military equipment reportedly recovered from the crash site. However, authorities had not officially confirmed the identity or operator of the aircraft.

READ ALSO:

• Transporters Urge IGP Disu to Arrest Illegal Highway Tax Collectors
• Army, DSS, Amotekun Kill ISWAP Commander Planning Attacks in Southern Nigeria
• 2027: Soludo Govt Accuses Peter Obi Of Plot To Destroy APGA

The Ondo State Police Command also had not immediately confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh was reported to have said he was unaware of the crash when contacted and would make inquiries.

Reports from the community indicated that residents moved towards the crash area following news of the incident, while efforts were reportedly underway to assess the wreckage and establish whether there were survivors.

The number of people on board remains unknown, and no official casualty figure had been released at the time of filing this report.

The crash occurred in Ilaje, one of Ondo State’s major riverine and oil-producing areas. Igbokoda serves as the headquarters of the local government and is surrounded by waterways and swampy terrain.

The location is also used for logistics and transportation activities connected to the coastal and oil and gas industry, where helicopters are sometimes deployed to transport personnel and equipment.

The reported crash has renewed attention on the safety challenges associated with helicopter operations in Nigeria’s coastal areas, although the cause of Monday’s incident remains unknown.

Authorities are expected to establish the identity of the aircraft, its operator, flight route, number of occupants and the circumstances that led to the crash.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is responsible for investigating aviation accidents and incidents within its jurisdiction, and further official information is expected as authorities assess the crash site.

For now, residents and families awaiting information about possible occupants are left without confirmed casualty figures or details of those involved.

Further updates are expected from the relevant security, aviation and emergency-response authorities as the investigation and recovery efforts continue.

BREAKING: Many Feared Dead as Helicopter Crashes in Ondo Community