A lecturer at the University of Lagos, Sheikh Sulayman Adekunle Adedeji, was on Friday turbaned as the new Chief Imam of Ago-Are in ATISBO Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The turbaning ceremony, held at the Ago-Are Central Mosque shortly after the Juma’at prayer, drew Islamic scholars, traditional figures and residents of the community.
The Chairman of ATISBO Local Government, Alhaji Bashir Olumuyiwa Alade, led a delegation of council officials and joined in the turbaning rites.
This newspaper understands that Sheikh Adedeji succeeds the Late Chief Imam, Sheikh Ahmad Rufai Idera II, who died last week after a brief illness.
Meanwhile, the council chairman, Alhaji Alade described the new Imam as a respected scholar whose knowledge and conduct would strengthen the spiritual direction of the community.
Born on June 1, 1974, the new Imam is widely regarded as a scholar with rich academic and spiritual credentials. He holds a Master’s degree in Yoruba Language and Literature from the University of Lagos and a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics/Yoruba, graduating with a Second Class Upper Division from the same institution.
He also completed advanced training in Islamic Religious and Legal Sciences at the World Islamic Sciences and Education, Amman, Jordan, in 2024.
His work experiences span the education sector, religious leadership and community service, and he has authored notable publications, including works on Islamic scholarship and public speaking.
The new imam, who is fluent in English, Yoruba and Arabic, has spent decades teaching and contributing to Islamic studies, both locally and internationally.
He was the best graduating student in 1995 of the Daaru-Ddwat Wal-Irsha Arabic Center, Isolo Lagos State
