MURIC Oyo, Ogun Chapters Congratulate Akintola on Sultan’s Special Recognition Award
By KEMI KASUMU
In separate congratulatory statements, the Oyo and Ogun chapters of MURIC described the recognition as a well-deserved honour and an acknowledgment of Professor Akintola’s decades of commitment to the defence of religious freedom, promotion of justice, protection of fundamental human rights and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
The Oyo and Ogun State chapters of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) have congratulated the organisation’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on his conferment of the prestigious Award of Special Recognition by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni.
The award was presented to Professor Akintola on Monday, November 2, 2026, during the grand finale of the 13th Usman Dan Fodio Week and the 20th Coronation Anniversary celebration of the Sultan, held at the International Conference Centre, Kasarawa, Sokoto State.
The historic occasion attracted distinguished personalities, including traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, religious leaders, government officials, jurists, diplomats, academics, civil society representatives and other eminent Nigerians from within and outside the country.
In separate congratulatory statements, the Oyo and Ogun chapters of MURIC described the recognition as a well-deserved honour and an acknowledgment of Professor Akintola’s decades of commitment to the defence of religious freedom, promotion of justice, protection of fundamental human rights and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
The chapters noted that Professor Akintola had remained a consistent voice in advocating the rights of Nigerian Muslims, particularly their freedom to practise their religion without discrimination, intimidation or persecution.
They also commended his principled approach to advocacy, which they said had been pursued through peaceful, lawful, intellectual and constitutional means.
The two chapters expressed particular admiration for the MURIC founder’s decision to dedicate the award to Muslims facing religious persecution across Nigeria, describing the gesture as evidence of his humility, selflessness and commitment to the welfare and dignity of the Muslim Ummah.
According to them, the recognition transcends personal achievement, representing an honour to the entire MURIC family, the Nigerian Muslim community, human rights defenders and all those committed to justice, equity, fairness and the rule of law.
The Ogun State chapter further cited Qur’an 9:105, which reminds believers that Allah, His Messenger and the believers will witness their deeds, as well as a prophetic teaching emphasising the virtue of being beneficial to humanity.
It said the teachings reflected Professor Akintola’s life, scholarship and longstanding commitment to defending the oppressed and promoting justice.
Both chapters prayed for Allah’s continued guidance, protection, good health, wisdom, strength and long life for the MURIC founder, expressing hope that the recognition would inspire greater commitment to the protection of fundamental human rights and the pursuit of justice in Nigeria.
The Oyo State chapter’s statement was signed by Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, Secretary, MURIC Oyo State Chapter.
The Ogun State chapter’s congratulatory message was jointly signed by Ustaadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, Chairman, and Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, Secretary, MURIC Ogun State Chapter.
