RDA: ONE MAN, TOO MANY

From nurturing individuals, this amiable professor and academic colossus has now become a rallying point for founders of universities who want their universities to be on a solid footing. For instance, he is the Chairman, Project Implementation Committee of the Proposed Inaayatulah University, Iwo, Osun State and Chairman Project Implementation Committee of the Proposed University of Medicine and Science, Bichi, Kano State, among other similar assignments, including being the Chairman, Contact Group of the National Board of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Before now, he had creditably served as Chairman, Governing Council of Oyo State College of Education (now Osun State College of Education), Ila Orangun (1986-1989) and Chairman, Governing Council, Mufutau Lanihun College of Education, Ibadan, an affiliate of the University of Ibadan (2003 to 2007).

 

A versatile and cerebral intellectual, Prof. Abubakre has presented papers in several academic conferences within and outside Nigeria. Some of these include Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Cameroun and Kenya. He has written and edited/co-edited 17 books, including a magnum opus of a two-volume book of over 1000 pages each published in 2012 in honour of his teacher, Shaykh Al-Ilory, and more than 60 journal articles and book chapters in reputable outlets across the world.

 

In recognition of his vast intellectual endowments and selfless service to humanity, various bodies and organisations have conferred honours and awards on him. These include the Leadership Excellence Award for Exemplary Leadership and Service to Humanity by the African Institute for Leadership and Good Governance on December 2, 2014; nomination as one of the 50 Most Eminent Alumni of the University of Ibadan on August 2, 2013 by The Guardian Newspapers; Best Lecturer of the Year 2013 by the Vision Africa Gold Communication Limited on July 15, 2013; Laureate of ‘The International Socrates Prize’ in the Field of Education on December 12, 2011 by the Europe Business Assembly, Oxford, United Kingdom, under the auspices of the Oxford Summit of Leaders, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Besides, he had been recognised as a “Man of Integrity” in a Special Report of The Guardian Newspapers on September 25, 2011, one of Nigeria’s “Exceptional First Class Degree Holders” in a Special Report by Thisday Newspapers on October 19, 2011. He was also listed in the Newswatch’s Who is Who in Nigeria, both in 1990 and 2000. Prof. Abubakre is listed by the American Biographical Institute Inc., in its International Directory of Distinguished Leadership 8th Edition, 2000 and he is recognised by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, in its “Outstanding People of the 21st Century”, published in 2000.

 

A Commonwealth scholar and Consultant to several international bodies, Prof. Abubakre is a Fellow, Arabic Studies in Nigeria (FASN); Fellow, Academy of Religion (FAR);  and Honourary Fellow,  African Institute for Leadership and Good Governance. He is a Founding Member, Local Societies Initiative, University of Ìlorin, in co-operation with the Centre for Theology and the Natural Sciences, Berkeley, California, USA. He was a Member of the Executive Committee of the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), Rome, Italy, (1990-1995); Member, Curriculum Development Committee of the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council for Islamic Studies (1982-1988); Vice-President, Nigeria Association for the Study of Religions (1984-1988); President, Nigeria Association for the Study of Religions (1988-1992) and Member of the Nigerian Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS).

Prof. Abubakre is a man of several parts. In other words, he is one man playing many roles in the lives of a multitude of people. He is a university don, an Arabic specialist, a religious scholar, an exemplary Muslim, a prolific author, a seasoned administrator, a community leader, an interfaith practitioner, a bridge builder, an academic mentor, a resourceful personality, an amiable gentleman and ultimately an accomplished family man. As a family man, he is married and blessed with many children, some of whom are studying or occupying academic positions (like father, like children) in Nigerian, American and European universities.

As Professor Razaq ‘Deremi Abubakre adds another year and assumes more roles in the lives of many people all over the world, perhaps his appropriate prayer is what Allah considered fitting for His Prophet Muhammad (SAW): “My Lord! Let my entry be good and let my exit be good. And grant me from You an authority to help me!” (Q. Al-Isra 17:80).