MY MURIC AWARD IS ‘REWARD OF CONSISTENCY, HARDWORK’ – OBA AKANBI • Bags ‘Defender of the Faithful’, Kaduna ex-Gov., Mallam El-Rufai honored
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir ElRufai and other eminent personalities have been awarded by The Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC). Trek Africa Newspaper can report that the award ceremony took place at Combo Hall of Lagos Television (LTV) had in attendance notable Nigerians from all walks of life. The event also witnessed the retirement celebrations and public presentation of the autobiography of the founder of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola with the titled ‘My Jihad’.
The Oluwo of Iwo described the award as a challenge to further propagate the oneness of Olodumare (God), urging other monarchs most especially in Yorubaland to dedicate themselves more to defending the institution of God they represent. ‘I am honoured with the award of the ‘Defender Of The Faithful’ bestowed on me by the respectable Islamic body, Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC). The recognition has presented a formidable challenge to do more towards the propagation of oneness of Olodumare (God). On behalf of the good people of Iwoland and my well wishers, I appreciate the MURIC in general and specifically her founder, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, for considering me worthy. I pray for happy retirement and more prosperous years of positive accomplishment.’
Speaking further with Trek Africa Newspaper, Oba Akanbi, ‘I got the award as Defender of Faithful because of my consistency and hardwork. We will continue in this path. It is not only by speaking Arabic that you can worship Olodumare, He is the true God. The French call Him Dieu, Israel call Him Yahweh, English call Him God, Arabs call Him Allah. I call Him Olodumare. I am not the real king, He is the real King. It’s a reward of consistency on the work we are doing to write history of the Yorubas and to put it in right perspective. I wrote a book – Code of kings – writing about our origin and religion which is to worship only God and nothing else.’
On the other awardee, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, the Oluwo of Iwo said: ‘I appreciate the celebrant into who is going into retirement. You can see the calibre of people who have come to celebrate him. He is well loved and is on the right path.’
The event was chaired by the legal icon, Mallam Yusuf Ali and keynote address given by Mallam Nasir ElRufai, immediate past Kaduna State Governor, who was also awarded at the occasion.
