Family members, political associates, academic colleagues, friends and well-wishers recently gathered to celebrate an enigma, Dr. Nurudeen Olarinde with an annual Ramadan Lecture in his honour. The event was held at the Oluyole Extension Central Mosque, Oluyole Area, Ibadan.
The 11th Annual Ramadan Lecture titled, “Ramadan and Societal Reformation” was delivered by Prof. Mufutaudeen Oyedapo Rauf of the Department of Agricultural Production Economics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. In his sermon at the event, the renowned academic and Islamic scholar recognized the greatness of Nigeria as a country. He identified social menace which has become endemic among youth of this generation like lack of fear and respect, living a couple’s life in school, lesbianism, bestiality, raping, alcoholism, drugs, theft and Yahoo as serious challenges plaguing our nation.
While establishing the teachings of Ramadan and Islamic positions in bringing sanity to our society, the Professor of Agricultural Production Economics made it known that Ramadan as a pure month helps to change the other months. According to him, “Ramadan among other things, was given by Almighty Allah for parents to teach their children about fasting; to stress societal interaction and faith; good relationship between parents and their children; to understand the place of peer group in influencing their children and guide where necessary, the negative influence of modern technologies like Android phones- all these according to the don, would reduce the social menace.
The University scholar finally submitted that, “as humans, we have intellectual capacity and natural instinct. For us to have a reformed society adopting the lessons of Ramadan, it is imperative to adhere to its teachings while parents must wake up to the responsibilities assigned by Almighty Allah”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the 11th Anniversary Lecture and a childhood friend to the late Olarinde, Prof. Kehinde Yusuf eulogized Dr. Nurudeen Olarinde on how he formed the Hassanat Ijaduola Foundation in honour of his late mother. He described the late Igbo-Ora-born politician as a good family man and an active politician during his lifetime. According to the Professor of English Language, “Nurudeen was a friend and responsible family man. He was very bold and was always speaking truth to the powers that be. He was religious and very sociable. Sincerely, he is still sorely missed. While praying for the repose of his soul, I urge us all to learn from today’s sermon in honour of my late friend. May Almighty Allah grant him aljana firdaous”, submitted the Oje-Owode-born don.
Speaking at the occasion, Alh. Aliu Badmus called on friends of late Dr. Nurudeen Olarinde to prepare their minds on the need to visit and start developing Hassanat Ijaduola Islamic Foundation Site in Igboora before next Ramadan as the Programme will hold there by the grace of Almighty ALLAH. He most importantly, announced donations made by friends and well- wishers for the development of the Site in Igboora.
In her remarks, the widow of late Olarinde, Alhaja Fasilat Olarinde appreciated all who came from far and near to attend the 11th Ramadan Programme in memory of her late husband. She was specifically appreciative of the immense contributions of Oluyole Muslim community in general as well as women wing in particular. She was highly delighted for the presence of Igboora wives being represented by Alhajas Adebayo and Olawumi.
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Commenting after the programme, a family member, Alhaji. Ishaq Jamiu expressed his delight over the success of this year’s 11th Nurudeen Olarinde Annual Ramadan Lecture. He thanked everybody who played active roles in seeing that the programme became successful. The Islamic scholar in his parting words states, “On behalf of the entire late Dr. Nurudeen Olarinde family, I pray Almighty Allah reward you all”.
Among the late Dr. Nurudeen Olarinde’s friends that graced the occasion were, Alhaji Dr. Aliu Badmus, Alhaji Tajudeen Oke, Prof. Kehinde Yusuf, Oluyole Muslim Community, family members, political associates, friends and well-wishers.
Nurudeen Olaniyi Olarinde died on Saturday December 28 at the age of 59, five days after the death of his 96-year old father, Pa Jimoh Okekunle Olarinde, leaving behind three children and a wife.
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He was a three-time commissioner in Oyo state, having served in Ministries of Finance and Education between 1998 to 1999. He was re-appointed commissioner for Economic planning and budget by Gov. Ajimobi of Oyo State in 2011 till August, 2013.
