*Photo: Alhaji Jamiu Ishola Adepoju*
The death has been announced of Alhaji Jamiu Ishola. Adepoju, a Ilobu based Distinguished educationist, administrator, philanthropist, community leader, foremost Muslim icon and dogged fighter for social justice, transparency, sustainable Islamic identity and well-known Muslim leader. He was aged 89.
According to a statement issued by Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade on behalf of the Oyo State Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Monday, 12th August 2024, Alhaji Jamiu Ishola Adepoju was, until his death, a foremost Muslim Icon.
MURIC added that “He was also one of the founders of Muslim Students’ Society Of Nigeria (MSSN).
Alhaji Isola Adepoju was the pioneer Principal of Ilobu Secondary Commercial Grammar School (1972) and Nurudeen Grammar School, Ogbomoso (1978). He played major roles in the establishment of and the construction works of a number of Muslim Secondary Schools like Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Ilobu, 2002 and elsewhere. He taught in many schools and colleges in the defunct Western State of Nigeria before he voluntarily retired on 31st December 1982.
In 1970, Isola Adepoju was elected as the first Chairman of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ijebu-Ode Branch. He also pioneered the Osogbo branch of MAN and was its first Secretary in 1972. He became the Association’s Chairman in Ogbomoso in 1976. He was the hosting branch Chairman of the Association’s Conference both at Ijebu-Ode and Ogbomoso. He was a member and the Secretary of the Oyo State branch of the National Joint Muslim Organization (NAJOMO), formerly WESJOMO, Ibadan, which organized the chieftaincy title of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, the post to which Alhaji Chief Abdul-Aziz Arisekola Alao of blessed memory was successfully installed in June 1978.
NAJOMO, under the leadership of late Dr. Abdul-Lateef Oladimeji Adegbite, played a prominent role, in conjunction with the Northern Nigerian-based Jamat-ul Nasirul Islam, in the formation of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Right from its inception, Alhaji Jamiu Isola Adepoju was one of Oyo State representatives alongside Engr. Shuaib Gbadamosi of Ibarapa inclusive, as well as a founding member of the Abuja National Mosque Building Committee of the umbrella Islamic organization, the NSCIA.
After retirement, Alhaji Adepoju was appointed the Chairman, Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in 1984 during which he introduced some reforms into the administration and operations of annual pilgrimage, (Hajj). Before then, he served as a Member of Western Nigeria Pilgrims
Welfare Board and at several times served as a Welfare Officer under the National Pilgrims Board with Alhaji Abdus-Salam Olatunde as the Zonal Coordinator in Lagos.
Alhaji Jamiu Isola Adepoju was appointed a Full-Time Commissioner in November 1989 and on several occasions acted as the Chairman in the Civil Service Commissions of Oyo State and that of Osun State carved out of Oyo State in August 1991, where he served for six years from the pioneer stage.
Alhaji Jamiu Adeniyi Isola Adepoju, a Justice of the Peace, found much delight in conflict resolution efforts, assisting indigent students in efforts to promote scholarship and participating in many programs established for propagating Islam.
Alhaji Jamiu Ishola Adepoju was succeeded by many children, among them is Mallam Yusuf Adepoju, Founder and Chief Lecturer of ACADEMY OF ISLAMIC PROPAGATION (ACADIP).
