Baale of Ajah honours Dr Razaq Haruna over LASU’s academic PhD achievement
By KEMI KASUMU
Dr Haruna, who is also the Chief Imam of Vanguard Newspapers Muslim Community, Lagos, expressed gratitude to the Baale and the people of Ajah Land for the honour, describing his academic success as a manifestation of Allah’s grace.
The Baale of Ajah Land, Eit-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, High Chief Ismail Adewale Adeleke Ishola Adamson Ojupon VI (Olomodi XII), has honoured one of the sons of the land, Dr AbdulRazaq Haruna following his award of a PhD in Islamic Studies by Lagos State University (LASU).
The recognition featured a special Duʿāʾ (supplication) session organised in honour of Dr Haruna at the Baale’s Palace on October 17, 2026, as part of activities marking the traditional ruler’s second coronation anniversary.
The ceremony brought together prominent personalities from the political, religious, academic, judicial and public-service sectors, as well as members of the Eti-Osa community, to celebrate the academic achievement.
Dr Haruna, who is also the Chief Imam of Vanguard Newspapers Muslim Community, Lagos, expressed gratitude to the Baale and the people of Ajah Land for the honour, describing his academic success as a manifestation of Allah’s grace.
“Praise be to Allah, by whose grace good things are accomplished,” he said.
He commended the traditional ruler for recognising academic excellence and celebrating achievers while they are alive, urging other traditional institutions, community leaders and members of the public to adopt the initiative.
According to him, recognising people for their accomplishments during their lifetime provides encouragement and serves as an inspiration to younger generations.
He lamented the tendency to celebrate distinguished individuals only after their death, stressing that greater recognition of academic and professional achievements could motivate young people to pursue educational advancement and contribute meaningfully to society.
Dr Haruna said the initiative demonstrated the importance of traditional institutions in promoting education, encouraging excellence and fostering community development.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the leadership and contributions of the Baale to the development of Ajah Land.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Hon. Yahya Adeniyi Dosunmu, a political leader in Eti-Osa; Hon. Ismail Azeez, former Vice-Chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA); Alhaji Kazeem Olarenwaju Odunlami, Secretary of Ajah Land; and Alhaji Rasaq Odunlami, the Baba Oja of Ajah Land.
Religious leaders present included Imam Fatiu Adamson, Grand Chief Imam of Ajah Land; Imam Abdul Bari Yusuf Affinni, Chairman of the Council of Imams and Alfas in Eti-Osa; Imam Ibraheem Okunmoyibo, Chief Imam of Markaz Arabic School Central Mosque, Ajah; Alhaja Rahmatallah Ajoke Adenopo, the Iya Adinni of Eti-Osa; and Alhaja Kiyamatu Olaosi, the Iya Loja of Ajah Land.
Other notable guests were Justice Ganiyu Summonu of the Oyo State High Court; Professor Akin Afolayan, Professor of Building at the University of Lagos (UNILAG); and Professor Olusegun Temilola, Professor of Social Work at UNILAG.
Also present were Alhaji Mustapha Kotun, a director in the Lagos State Civil Service; Alhaji Kazeem Adesanya, Auditor of Badagry West LCDA; Alhaja Zaynab Abdul Kareem, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; Alhaja Maryam Summonu; and Alhaja Habibat Kotun, a director in the Lagos State Civil Service.
The gathering further attracted Mr Idris Akinsanya; Mr Lawal Fatai, Public Relations Officer of the Eti-Osa Heritage Organisation; Lawyer Saheed Sanni, a former Secretary of Eti-Osa East LCDA, chartered accountant and prominent member of the organisation; and Mr Abdulraham Bakare, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Eti-Osa East LCDA.
In a related development, the Baale also honoured Professor Waziri Adisa on the same day following his elevation to the rank of Professor of Criminology at the University of Lagos.
The recognition of both scholars underscored the traditional institution’s commitment to celebrating academic excellence and acknowledging the contributions of individuals to knowledge and societal development.
The event also highlighted the potential of collaboration between traditional institutions and the academic community in promoting education, strengthening communal ties and advancing sustainable development in Ajah Land and the wider Eti-Osa community.
