A leading pro-democracy group in Kwara State, Kwara Must Change has called on the authority of University of Ilorin to immediately withdraw the professorship honour bestowed on Sheikh Abubakar Aliagan and disengage him from the University.
The group said that this demand is to safeguard the University from extremism and misrepresentations as demonstrated by Sheikh Abubakar Aliagan on Friday, 27th March 2020, following his congregational prayer against the directives of federal, state and traditional authorities.
In a statement issued by the Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat over the weekend, the group said that by disobeying the revered Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Dr. Ibrahim Zulu Gambari, the Government of Kwara State led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and the federal government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari over ban on public gatherings to maintain social distancing, especially in places of worship, Sheikh Aliagan has not only demonstrated his disdain for constituted authority, he has also endangered public safety, inspired by extremist ideologies.
According to Hamzat, Aliagan is a danger to the student community in University of Ilorin, where he is currently a professor.
In his words, “Having somebody who could outrightly disregard the government of Nigeria and leadership of traditional, and religious institutions in the state as a lecturer of a professorial rank like Aliagan in a University community is like putting fire on the mountain”
Hamzat explained that, every informed person in the world today is aware of the deadly Corona Virus pandemic, spreading wide and threatening public safety and for a Professor of Aliagan’s standing to publicly disregard government directive of social distancing, aimed at preventing mass casualty, is to say the least unfortunate, adding that such conduct put a question mark on the professorship title conferred on him by the University.
According to the statement, “Although, we pray that the virus does not spread to Kwara State, but should this happen, Aliagan’s name would be among those who made it possible, putting the lives of thousands of people in danger”.
“We also hold the view that such an individual does not deserve to be in a civilized setting, talk less of being a university don, where hundreds of students would be placed under his tutelage”
The statement further said, “It is important to note that Universities do not award honours simply based on learning and academic excellence, but also based on character, which Aliagan has failed woefully “
“Kwara Must Change therefore called on University of Ilorin management to withdraw his professorship title and disengage him from the service of the University with immediate effect to serve as a deterrent to other unworthy University dons who populate our citadel of learning.”
News Hub Mag! reports that the group also called on government to take appropriate measures to sanction such disobedience which put public safety at risk and can’t even be tolerated in Saudi Arabia, which provides leadership for Islamic religion in the global community.
