•Discovers Why Many Muslims Don’t Joke With Him
Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa is a big name in the Muslim community in Nigeria. That is why many people who have never met him, have heard his name at some point on the other. He is a revered Islamic cleric. He is well respected because of the power of his message. He was turbaned the Grand Mufti of Ilorin Emirate last December.
On Thursday, 24th March 2022, City People Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE, visited him, at his Lagos home. It was a courtesy call on this great man of God, who very many Muslims hold in awe. He prayed for the continued success of City People and proclaimed that the media house will continue to soar and soar. He spotted a simple white Buba and Sokoto and he had just finished officiating at the Nikkah of Hajia Nike Nafisat Balogun held in his compound in Lagos.
Once the wedding was over, he withdrew into his inner chambers to hold court and meet all those who were waiting to see him. All those who had gathered there commended the Sheikh for the special spiritual blessings he carries as he continually touches lives.
It took his recent appointment as the Grand Mufty of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari for many to further appreciate him.
Days before the event, the whole country was agog with the news that Ilorin was going to witness the Royal Turbaning of the man everyone calls Sheikh Onikijipa with this big title. The invitation spread to Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and other major cities in the country like wildfire. It was put in a beautiful Gold Envelope. This further got many attracted to the event. The wordings on the Invitation Card inside further excited many. It reads: His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR), The Emir of Ilorin, cordially requests the honour of your presence to The Royal Turbaning of Fadeelat Sheikh Dr. Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa (Al-Miskeenbillah) as the Grand Mufti of Ilorin Emirate”.
The event took place on Friday, 17th, December 2021. And Venue was the Emir’s Palace. The event started very early that Friday. It was a 10 am event.
From the day before, guests started flying into Ilorin and before you knew, it all the hotels in Ilorin were fully booked as all the Airpeace and Overland flights were fully booked. Then, came D-Day, Friday, more guests trooped to Ilorin from all parts of Nigeria.
Top government officials came for the event. Islamic scholars all trooped to Ilorin to support this great scholar. The event kicked off with the arrival of dignitaries at the Emir’s Palace. Then came the Opening prayer by the Grand Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammed Bashir Salihu Al-Fulani. This was followed by the recitation from the Glorious Quoran. There was also the citation of the celebrant, Sheikh Farooq Sulaiman Onikijipa, the brand new Mufty of Ilorin.
Quite exciting was the turbaning exercise by the Traditional man of the Palace. And of course, there was the royal blessing by the Emir of Ilorin. For those who still don’t know how great this man is, let us tell you about Sheikh (Dr.) Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa AI-Miskinubilahi, the Lagos based Islamic Scholar who was born in Ilorin, the seat of Islamic Scholarship, in the early 60’s to the family of Sheikh Umar Faruq bn Abdullahi and Alhaja Aminat Faruq of Ile Onikjipa compound Omoda Ilorin Kwara State.
Sheikh Farooq has dedicated all his life to searching for knowledge and disseminating it. He had his formal and Islamic education from several schools and scholars, from within and outside Nigeria. He began with his Quranic education in his early years under the tutelage of As-Sheikh Ataragba, who was a close companion of his Father. He holds lower and upper certificates in Arabic and Islamic Studies, from Darul-Ulum Eruda Ilorin and Arabic Training Centre (MARKAZ) Agege, Lagos State, and lower and higher Diploma Certificate of the Institute of Religious and Behavioural Education, Lagos, and B.A and M.A in Islamic Studies of the Pebble University, Australia. Further to this, he also completed his PhD in Islamic Studies at Pebble University, Australia in the year 2020. He has attended several seminars and workshops in several parts of Nigeria, Africa, Asia, Europe and America.
Almost all his life, he has been fully engaged in Islamic propagation through teaching, preaching, enlightenment, – counselling, reading and Jumat sermons. He is popularly known for his annual Ramadan Lectures, which are televised worldwide, and for networking with other organizations for Islamic and Religious propagation, with peacekeeping worldwide. Many of these activities and research works have been published in about 200 audio/video cassettes and CDs. He has also published approximately 20 books in the Arabic Language. Some of them have been translated into the English language.
Sheikh Onikijipa is a philanthropist, who is committed to assisting the less privileged, particularly in the educational sector, hospitality and health, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation. He is the General Overseer of Al-Amani Islamic Organization, a group that consists of Mosque, Zaawiyyat and Markazul-Amani for Arabic and Islamic Centre, an Institute affiliated to Al-Azhar University, Cairo. Sheikh (Dr.) Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa AI-Miskinubilahi has bagged many awards and distinctions from various groups, organizations and Institutes from within and outside Nigeria.
He was awarded the Global Peace Ambassador of Access to Human Rights International (AHRI) and Holder of Cholan Book of World Records also the Doctorate Degree in Science and human service by Columbus International University, Norton, England in 2005 and another Doctorate fellowship in Islamic Religious and Behavioural Studies, Lagos.2007, and National Commendation Honor for Exemplary Leadership Service by Nigeria National Assembly (Youth Parliament) and Islamic Merit Award by Iranian Government. 2005 Ambassador of Islam by the office of Chief Imam of Ghana 2006, and International Merit Award by Leadership Mirror, Ghana. 2009, All Africa Student Union International as Comrade (ASUU) 2012. An ambassador by All Nigerian Students (NASU) 2018, Member of the Council of Africa Islamic Scholars by King of Morocco.
The latest is his recent appointment as the Grand Mufti of Ilorin and its environs, by His Royal Highness, Emir of Ilorin, AS-Sheikh (Dr.) Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari (GCFR).
Sheikh (Dr.) Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa Al-Miskinubilahi is happily married and blessed with 6 children. His vision is that of a corrupt-free society where all groups live together in peace coupled with the mission to enhance spiritual awareness through intellectual and moral teaching.
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