The Itihad, Association of Arabic and Islamic School Owners in Ibadan North Local Government, has inaugurated a new set of executive members who will steer the affairs of the association for the next three years.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place at the Sango Central Mosque in Ibadan, was attended by notable scholars and Islamic leaders. Among the dignitaries present was the Ameer of Oyo State, Ustadh Nasrudeen Arikeusola Kharazi, who graced the occasion alongside the Naibul Ameer, Imam Kamaldeen Abulazeez Sekore from Oyo town, and the General Secretary and South-West President, Engineer Jamiu Abdulgafar.
Also in attendance were the association’s Public Relations Officer, Daud Adebisi Hibullah, the Ido Coordinator, Abdulkabir Ojasayo, and the State Financial Secretary and South-East Coordinator, Sulaymon Awwal Abiodun. Their presence reflected the wide network of Arabic and Islamic school stakeholders committed to unity and the advancement of Arabic education.
In his keynote address, Ustadh Kharazi underscored the importance of Arabic school owners coming together in unity to defend and promote their rights. He emphasized the necessity of creating a standardized examination and certification system that would be widely accepted across the state, noting that such a move would grant Arabic education its rightful recognition.
He further disclosed that this year’s World Arabic Day would be commemorated at Adamasigba on December 18, 2025. Ustadh Kharazi also stressed that Arabic and Islamic schools have a pivotal role to play in salvaging and reforming society, grounding his point in the essence of prophetic teachings.
According to him, a unified syllabus would ensure that useful and impactful knowledge is imparted to students, shaping their character and preparing them to contribute positively to the wider community.
The newly sworn-in Ameer, Hameed Qasim, in his maiden speech, called on members to embrace sincerity, love, and dedication in their service. He urged them to support the association wholeheartedly, to attend meetings promptly, and to actively participate in consultations, stressing that these were the foundations for smooth leadership and collective progress.
The newly inaugurated executive members include Muti’uLlah Oladosu as General Secretary, Ibrahim Imran Dhikrullah Abdrazak as Assistant Financial Secretary, and Yaqoob Abdulfatahi as Treasurer. Public relations duties will be handled by Muhammad Abdulhakim as PRO 1 and Habib Opeyemi as PRO 2, while welfare responsibilities will be overseen by Mustopha Lateef as Welfare Officer 1 and Olalere Nasrudeen as Welfare Officer 2. Saeed Raji and Ismail Owolewa were named as Ex-Officio 1 and Ex-Officio 2 respectively, completing the new leadership team under the guidance of Ameer Hameed Qasim.
The emergence of this new team was received with enthusiasm by members, who expressed optimism that the leadership would usher in an era of growth, unity, and recognition for Arabic schools across Ibadan North and beyond.
The event concluded on a hopeful note, with participants reaffirming their confidence in the new administration and their shared determination to strengthen Arabic and Islamic education in the state.