General
As OCIS Clocks 40 , Sultan Sa’ad Extols Center
Last Thursday in the University town of Oxford, some 48 miles North West of London the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies celebrated its 40th anniversary with the King of England Charles ||| superintending over the event. It was headlined by the speech of the very venerable King and also climaxed with the Annual General Meeting of the Board of Trustees as well as a tree-planting ceremony at the Centre’s garden.
Sultan of Sokoto , Saad Abubakar ||| extolled the Centre and it’s management for the remarkable achievements recorded in the last 40 years which has witnessed visits , lectures, seminars and speeches by very important dignitaries like former President Nelson Mandela and former Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan. Sultan Saad lauded the administration of the Centre and expressed hope that the rest of the world especially the developing world would emulate the foresight and vision of the founding fathers of the Islamic Centre.
He expressed delight at the highly intellectual endeavor and community service both local and international that the Centre has become synonymous with.
Over the last four decades the Centre has become a citadel of learning incorporating lectures, seminars , provision of scholarship, research , fellowship, and engaging a multi-racial and multi-religious congregation as it’s students and clientele. A huge number of visiting lecturers frow the world over , are available to the academic faculty of the Centre.
Similarly, it’s Board or Trustees reflects variegated , ethnic, racial and cultural diversity with both Muslim and non-muslims co-habitating successfully on the Board .
While Saudi Prince Turki Al Faisal sits stop the board as Chairman, Sultan Nazrin Shah of Malaysia occupies the seat of Vice Chairman , Sheikh Mohammed Al Sabah former Prime Minister of Kuwait remains one of the pillars of the Centre.
There is also a strong British membership on the board , Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC is former Attorney General for England and Wales , Sir Martin Donnelly KCB is former Permanent Secretary at the Department of International Trade as well Dr Catherine Swales , Director Clinical , Medical Sciences Division University of Oxford .
This array of Distinguished personalities on the board is further dignified by the inclusion and membership of the only African on the leadership of the Centre in the person of His Eminence Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar III.
The achievements of the Centre include the Research components of its study programme focusing on “the social and intellectual history of the Muslim world, the social and economic development of Muslim societies, science, technology and environment in Muslim societies and Muslims in Britain”.
Similarly, the Centre witnessed the emergence and growth of its publications , “The Journal of Islamic Studies” and the “Makers of Muslim Civilization”. The Lectures an Roundtables have also been a major highlight , while in the area of teaching the Centre has promoted multi- disciplinary study of culture and Islam and contemporary Muslim societies through fellowships like The King Charles fellowship, Nelson Mandela Fellowship, the Globe Fellowship and Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Fellowship among twenty others
The Director of the Centre Farzan Nizami in highlighting some of the story behind the success stated the centre proudly launched an Exhibition of “Lines of Faith:: Astronomy and the Art of the Astrolabe in the Islamic World”.
Two highly intellectual lectures that brought recognition to the Centre in the last one year are that of Lord Neuberger (former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom) “Threats to the Rule of Law” and that of Professor Phillipe Sands of the Universe College London titled “On Genocide : Then ad Now”.
It is remarkable as well as instructive that the Centre came into existence in 1986 in a wooden hut on St Cross Road and grew tremendously into the oak it is today, esconsced on a beautiful piece of land on Martson road in the heart of Oxford town vigorously propagating interfaith dialogue and inter- civilization co-habitation as well as social harmony and general well-being of the human race.
Without doubt with the continued commitment of the Centre’s Grand patron King Charles ||| and the unique, sagacious capacity of it’s African monarch Sultan Saad of Sokoto the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is bound to continue to grow in leaps and bounds probably surpassing the successes of the last 40 years in another 40 years.
Nasir Danladi Bako PhD, OON
Kogunan Sokoto
July 22, 2025.
About The Author
By Aminu Garko
Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 65th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, Senator Musa described the First Lady as “an Amazon and a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians.”
Sen.Musa praised Senator Tinubu’s life of impact, devotion to God, and service to the nation.
He celebrated her compassion, strength, and dedication to the welfare of women, children, and the less privileged, noting that she continues to inspire hope across Nigeria.
The Senator wished the First Lady many more years in good health, wisdom, and strength, expressing confidence that she will continue to support President Bola Tinubu and champion noble causes that will uplift the nation.
On behalf of the people of Niger East, I join in celebrating the First Lady’s special day and pray for her continued good health and well-being.
About The Author
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, says the Federal Government has committed over N12 billion to a solar power project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
Speaking at the flag-off of the project in Kano, Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, said the initiative would make the hospital independent of the national grid.
He explained that the project is part of the government’s plan to solarise all tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across the country, beginning with AKTH.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
“The Federal Government set aside N300 billion in the 2025 appropriation act, and very soon all our tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals, including those owned by states, will enjoy 24-hour solar power.
“This year alone, I have attracted projects worth over N26 billion to AKTH, which has never happened in its history,” he said.
Bichi added that similar projects were underway at Bayero University Kano, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital.
He also commended Tinubu for supporting the project, describing it as a milestone in healthcare service delivery.
In his remarks, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the initiative marked the translation of the Renewed Hope Agenda from vision to tangible action.
On his part, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, assured that the project would be delivered before December.
“This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We are targeting about 10,000 projects across the 36 states and the FCT to ensure 100 per cent solarisation of facilities,” Abdullahi said.
The Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. Abdulrahman Sheshe, said the hospital spends about N150 million monthly on electricity bills and an additional N30 million on diesel.
“With this intervention, the hospital will save more than 30 per cent of its expenses. This project could not have come at a better time, especially after the recent power dispute we had,” he said.
Before the flag-off, Bichi inspected the ongoing construction of a five-storey Accident, Emergency and Trauma Centre at the hospital, another project facilitated by the Federal Government.
About The Author
About The Author
Kano, Bauchi assemblies deepen cooperation on lawmaking, revenue
Kano Lawmakers condemn killing of woman, six children
Kano: Abiya Emerges Acting NNPP Chairman in Kano
JUST IN: FG Declares Sallah Public Holiday
Rahma Saidu Apologizes to Kano Government, Lauds PCACC’s Work
Refinery: NNPC Ltd Targets Sustained Production with New Maintenance & Compliance Measures
-
General2 years ago
JUST IN: FG Declares Sallah Public Holiday
-
General9 months agoRahma Saidu Apologizes to Kano Government, Lauds PCACC’s Work
-
Economy1 year agoRefinery: NNPC Ltd Targets Sustained Production with New Maintenance & Compliance Measures
-
Agriculture10 months agoNew HJRBDA boss outlines ambitious agenda for agricultural growth, youth empowerment
-
News1 year agoChoose dialogue over protest, Kano groups urge youths
-
Agriculture1 year agoFG trains laboratory technicians , technologists on soil health card scheme
-
General1 year agoActionAid urges youths to harness digital technologies for development
-
Entertainment2 years agoPopular actor, Ali Nuhu appointed as MD Film Corporation