Alhaji Jimoh was born in Ilorin on June 2,1962. His father was Shaykh Muhammad Jimoh Jabaje (1910-1965). Shaykh Jabaje, was a pupil of Shaykh Zakariyah Tajul Mumini and was famously known as Zainudeen. Late Shaykh Jabaje was an eloquent preacher, a versatile scholar; and an exemplary teacher who taught Arabic and Islamic Studies. He was also an accomplished preacher who plied his trade in Accra for several years before returning home to serve as the Missioner of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria under the supervision of the founder of the Society and the pioneer Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Kamaldeen Al-Adabiy (1905-2005). Alhaji Abdulbaqi’s mother was Alhaja Salamat Jimoh (d. 1975), who hailed from Kosinwon Compound, Agbaji Quarters, Ilorin.
By Abubakar Imam
While celebrating the retirement of the immediate past Director, Finance and Accounts, Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Alhaji Hanafi Oladimeji Bello, in November last year, I hinted that Ilorin Emirate would begin to record an harvest of retirement of its indigenes occupying topmost positions in the services of the Federal Government and that of the Kwara State Government. This is due to the fact that age was beginning to catch up with our “egbons” (senior compatriots) who were born shortly after the nation’s independence as they would be attaining the age of 60 one after the other, which is the statutory age of retirement in the nation’s civil service .
Since that article was published, many of those distinguished compatriots such as Mallam Abdullahi Bolakale Yusuf, Engr. Mohammed Kobi and Alhaji Ibrahim Hamzat Gold among others, had bowed out of service.
It was therefore not a surprise yesterday evening when I got wind of the retirement of a distinguished son of Ilorin, (Alhaji Abdulbaqi Jimoh); who is equally retiring from the federal public service after several years of a glowing career. It is a pleasure that this gentleman would be retiring elegantly and peacefully following his attainment of the age of 60 as those earlier mentioned! What a double-edged blessing!!
I must confess that though Alhaji Jimoh is one of those that I admired because of the roles he had played; he does not know me in person. But all I heard from those who know him more profoundly points to the fact that he equally admired yours sincerely. The point of convergence between us is Ilorin as we have spoken on phone several times. He loves Ilorin and everything and everyone around it as I do too.
Alhaji Jimoh was born in Ilorin on June 2,1962. His father was Shaykh Muhammad Jimoh Jabaje (1910-1965). Shaykh Jabaje, was a pupil of Shaykh Zakariyah Tajul Mumini and was famously known as Zainudeen. Late Shaykh Jabaje was an eloquent preacher, a versatile scholar; and an exemplary teacher who taught Arabic and Islamic Studies. He was also an accomplished preacher who plied his trade in Accra for several years before returning home to serve as the Missioner of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria under the supervision of the founder of the Society and the pioneer Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Kamaldeen Al-Adabiy (1905-2005). Alhaji Abdulbaqi’s mother was Alhaja Salamat Jimoh (d. 1975), who hailed from Kosinwon Compound, Agbaji Quarters, Ilorin.
This retired public servant, who many would remember as an efficient Personal Assistant to the Talba of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, OFR,NOPM; during his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin between 1997 and 2002 and as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission; is a thoroughly bred patriot; and an “Ilorin-centric” gentleman.
Despite becoming an orphan at the tender age of three and subsequently losing his beloved mother when he was just 13 years of age; this remarkable compatriot’s path to greatness was not derailed. He was focused and determined to succeed and eventually found himself in a position which made him deserved being ranked along with other outstanding citizens.
He is a product of the first voluntary Muslim organisation in Northern Nigeria, the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, which his father toiled for. He was educated at the Ansarul Islam Primary School, Okekere Ilorin, from 1967 to 1973. He equally had his post primary education at Ansarul Islam Secondary School, Oloje, Ilorin between 1973 and 1979.
Alhaji Jimoh proceeded to the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin after obtaining a Grade II Certificate from Offa Teacher’s College , Offa. He studied English and Islamic Studies at the College and was also the Secretary of the College’s Students Union in the cause of which he fought for and defended the interests of his colleagues.
He thereafter proceeded to the Bayero University, Kano. At the University, he studied English at the end of which he bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree. It was in the cause of his studentship at the institution that he not only “met” his foremost senior compatriot, Prof. AbdulRaheem, but also became close to him as he studied and emulated his legendary characteristic sense of community services. Prof. AbdulRaheem was his teacher and Head of the Department during the days of this retiring public servant at the second generation University. He graduated from the University in 1993.
Sequel to his graduation Alhaji Jimoh joined the services of the Olusola Adekanola and Co., a firm of Chartered Accountants and Auditors. He worked at the firm and across various locations as an Administrative Officer.
After some years of dedicated services in the private sector, Alhaji Jimoh joined the services of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo. He was a lecturer at the College’s Department of English. His services at the College saw him joining hands with others to produce middle level teachers who trained special pupils from across the nation.
The appointment of his mentor, Prof. AbdulRaheem as the Chief Executive of the University of Ilorin in 1997 informed his transfer of services to the institution as a Senior Assistant Registrar in 1998. He was one of the closet aides of the renowned academic and administrator during his turbulent days at the University.
On completion of the tenure of Prof. AbdulRaheem at the better by far University, Alhaji Jimoh was retained to serve in the office of the Vice-Chancellor. He served Prof. Shamusideen Amali, OON, who took over the Vice-Chancellorship of the University from Prof. AbdulRaheem as his Personal Assistant. He was, therefore, with the Idoma-born Professor of Theatre Arts from 2002 to 2007.
Being a loyal lieutenant, the appointment of Prof. AbdulRaheem as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) made him to leave the services of the University of Ilorin. He resumed his supportive services to the Talba of Ilorin as his Personal Assistant as he got his services transferred to the Commission. He was with Prof. AbdulRaheem on his appointment by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCFR; and was also with him when he was reappointed into the same office by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR.
Alhaji Jimoh’s dignity and integrity reflected in his steady rise in his career and the praises and encomiums that followed him every where he served. His sterling steadfastness and consistent desire to see others grow at the expense of his personal comfort would continue to stand him out.
Today, June 2, 2022, marks the beginning of his retirement as a Director in the federal public service. He is retiring with a record of numerous cases of assistance rendered to several other compatriots of his, via securing admissions into the University of Ilorin as well as gaining employment opportunities and career progression across the country.
This great son of Ilorin is happily married. His sweetheart, Dr. Saudat Salah-Abdulbaqi, is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin and a former Head of the Department. The marriage of the two lovebirds deserved a separate piece. This is because the father in-law of Alhaji Jimoh, Shaykh AbdulRahman Salahudeen Al-Adabiy (d. 1987), who is also the immediate past Imam Imale of Ilorin, succeeded his father, Ash-Shaykh Zainudeen Jimoh Jabaje Al-Adabiy, as the Chief Missioner of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria in 1965! The couple is also blessed with promising children with the eldest being Mr. AbdulRahman Abdulbaqi of the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin.
As Alhaji Jimoh joins the league of senior citizens, I join his relations, friends and colleagues in wishing him a beautiful birthday as well as a long, healthy, pleasant and peaceful life in retirement. It is, however, my hope; that Alhaji Jimoh would retire and return to the home of his illustrious progenitors and to the services of ancestral community as done by his celebrated father and unforgettable father-in-law who are not remembered by their wealth and the number as well as the quality of buildings left behind but through their priceless contributions to the development of Ilorin Emirate!
He should also find a way of joining her elder sister, Alhaja Rihanat Arowolo in serving Islam through the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria. Doing so would not only be a replication of what his late father did but also a way of giving back to the proprietor of his alma mater. He has a worthy example in the current National President of the Society, Alhaji Suleiman Olayiwola Afolabi and Alhaji Saliu Yusuf, a retired top bras of the NNPC,who is serving as the Vice-President of the Society. The two are distinguished products of the Society who decided to give back through quality leadership services.
(Imam is National Secretary, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.)