KWASU VC, Legal Luminaries Honour Prof. Sulaiman Jamiu at Landmark Book Presentation

The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, has described the Festschrift published in honour of Professor Sulaiman Muhammad Jamiu as a testament to a life devoted to scholarship, service, and integrity.

Speaking on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the public presentation of the book titled Religion, Politics, and Culture in Contemporary Nigeria: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Sulaiman Muhammad Jamiu, Professor Jimoh said the volume reflects the profound impact the scholar has made in the classroom, in university administration, and in the wider community.

"The university values excellence and meritorious service," the Vice-Chancellor said, adding that Professor Jamiu's contributions to the growth and stability of KWASU will not be forgotten. He expressed optimism that the book would stimulate further research and promote thoughtful dialogue towards national development.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, and the Kuliyan Geri of Ilorin Emirate, Professor Yusuf Ola Olu Ali (SAN), underscored the importance of documenting the lived experiences of individuals who have made significant contributions to society.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated that such intellectual efforts preserve history and provide valuable lessons for future generations.

He added that publishing scholarly works in physical form would also encourage younger generations to cultivate the habit of reading books, thereby strengthening the nation’s intellectual culture.

Delivering the keynote address, the Grand Khadi of Kwara State ShariahCourt of Appeal, Hon. Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen noted that the subject matter of the book; religion, politics, and culture, occupies a central place in Nigeria’s socio-political and constitutional experience.

He explained that the themes explored in the volume are particularly relevant to the administration of justice in a plural society, stressing that the judiciary benefits from academic works that discourage extremism while promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

Justice Kamaldeen described the Festschrift as a fitting and dignified tribute to Professor Sulaiman Muhammad Jamiu, whose distinguished career, he said, is reflected in the central themes of the book.

In his assessment, the book reviewer, Professor Hamzat Ishola Abdulraheem, noted that the book which is divided into six sections is an "academic exposition" that is clearly written in a manner that makes the book easily understood by readers from different backgrounds.

He said the content of the book is particularly important to the political class "who must at one time or another interact willingly or unwillingly with religious advocates with their religious conservatism on the one hand and cultural activists with their identity favouritism on the other."

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and host of the book presentation, Professor Abdus-Sami`i Imam Arikewuyo, in his welcome speech said the Festschrift was published by the Department of Religions, History and Heritage Studies to honour Professor Jamiu for his scholarly and administrative contributions to the Department and the University as a whole.

The Dean credited the successful completion of the book to the persistent encouragement of the Vice-Chancellor, revealing that the initiative to write the book was conceived by Professor Jimoh when he served as Head of Department.

The event was graced by many academic, religious, traditional, and legal stalwarts. The book presenters were the Dan Masani of Ilorin, Engr. Sulaiman Yahya Alapasanpa, AVM Tunde Ashimiyu Awoyoola (Rtd.) and Alhaji Olugbenga Abiola Suleiman.

The Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale Suleiman Usman Adegbite, the Balogun Afin of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Yusuf, and serving and retired justices of the Kwara State Sharia Court were also present.