The former Grand Kadi of the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Idris Abdullahi Haroon (rtd), has called on Federal Government to immortalise the pioneer Grand Kadi of Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, late Hon. Justice Abdulkadir Orire (CON) in recognition of his immeasurable contributions towards the growth and development of humanity and ‘Da’awah’ in Nigeria.
He made the call recently in Ilorin at the 2nd annual symposium in memory of late Justice Orire, describing the late jurist as a solid bridge between the northern and southern Nigeria.
The symposium was organized by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Kwara Area Unit, held at Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Hall, Fate Road, Ilorin.
Justice Haroon, who was the Chairman of the occasion, described the late Justice Orire as an exemplary leader who dedicated his life to the promotion of Islam and righteous deeds.
According to him, Justice Orire was an incorruptible citizen who was never accepted anything outside his official entitlements while in service as the Grand Kadi and after his retirement from active service.
He described Justice Orire as a father, mentor, builder and jurist per excellence whose lifetime was full of positive and inspiring lessons.
In his lecture at the occasion, Professor Ibrahim Abdulqodir Abikan of faculty of Law University of Ilorin, described late Justice as a rare gem, a courageous caller who was ready to face the ‘power that be’ in any matters that affect Islam and humanity.
Abikan, who spoke on the topic “Baba Orire: The connecting rod between the past and the present Da’wah activism”, said in a vehement term that late Justice Orire played vital roles in bridging the gap between the past and the present as well as the past and the current generations.
“Judges don’t usually talk but to find a judge not only talking but confronting the government on issues that have to do with Islam, that shown that kind of courage Baba had. Baba is a connecting bridge and he was a gate way between the dawah of the North and South
He however advocated for proper documentation of the unique efforts of late Justice Orire to serve as reference points for the current and unborn generations.
Professor Abikan hinted that late Justice Orire influenced the introduction of Shari’a Law as a part of Law programme in the Faculty of Law, university of Ilorin.
Also in his lecture at the event, the former Dean of Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin, Professor Badmas Lanre Yusuf, who spoke through Dr Yusuf Dauda Gambari on the occasion, delivered lectured on the topic: “Essential Da’wah tools for Da’wah workers in our contemporary time: Baba Orire as a model”.
Also speaking, the former Grand Kadi of Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Solihu Olohuntoyin Muhammad (rtd) described late Justice Orire as an embodiment of humility, self-disciplined and kind-heartedness, describing him as a role model per excellence.
In his welcome address, the Amir of MSSN, Kwara Area Unit, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulMumin, said the event was organized to celebrate the life and times of late the Just Orire whose invaluable contributions to Islam and humanity would continue to remain evergreen in the sands of time.
