The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has conferred the traditional title of Kuliyan Sokoto on the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.
The Sultanate said the honour recognises his contributions to education, Islamic affairs and national development.
The turbaning ceremony held on Sunday at the Sultan’s Palace in Sokoto. A reception followed at the Command Guest House, attended by prominent Nigerians, traditional rulers, government officials, academics and religious leaders.
Speakers at the event described the recognition as a sign of national unity, religious harmony and peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and regional lines.
Speaking after receiving the title, Oloyede called it a special blessing from Almighty Allah. He said it meant a lot to him as a Yoruba man from Egbaland to be honoured by the Sultan of Sokoto.
“Alhamdulillah. My description of today is to thank Almighty Allah for this honour because it is three in one. I am a Muslim by faith, and I am a Yoruba man from Egbaland. This title combines my aspirations because we Yoruba people value chieftaincy,” he said.
He explained that the title carries both traditional and religious responsibilities, since the Sultan is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
“It is not just a traditional title; it is also a religious duty. To say you are Kuliyan Sokoto is enough for anybody who has achieved something in life. You do not need to look for any other traditional title anywhere,” he said.
He also thanked the Sultan, the government and the people of Sokoto.
“I do not think ordinarily I deserve it. But in his wisdom, he decided to give me this honour. I appreciate him, and I have not taken it for granted. I thank him, the government and the people of Sokoto,” he added.
A goodwill message from the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, was delivered by retired Navy Captain AbdulRasheed Raji. The monarch described the honour as a testament to Oloyede’s integrity, scholarship and public service.
The message recalled his time as the eighth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin. It also credited his leadership at JAMB for reforms that improved transparency and accountability in the admission process.
Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), the Kuliyan of Ilorin, commended the Sultan for the recognition. He said it showed that Nigerians can rise above ethnic and regional differences.
“This recognition has shown that we can unite for noble causes as a people and as a nation. It has shown that there are no boundaries in brotherhood and friendship and that we can rise above our base sentiments to act and work as Nigerians,” he said.
Ali added that the title will make Oloyede an ambassador of the Sokoto Caliphate.
A former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Sarafa Ishola, said the honour reflects the Sultanate’s recognition of Oloyede’s knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and his service to the nation.
“As the Sultan said, the essence of the title is that we have seen what you have done for Nigeria, and we want you to come and do something similar for us in this emirate,” he said.
The current JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, congratulated Oloyede on behalf of the board and called the recognition a source of pride to the JAMB family.
“On behalf of the JAMB family, I would like to warmly congratulate you on this honour. It speaks volumes that we have left Ilorin, Egbaland, and Abuja, and you are being celebrated and honoured here in Sokoto,” he said.
Speaking for the Oloyede family, Prof. Abdulkarim Oloyede described the title as an Amanah, meaning a sacred trust. He thanked the Sultan, the Sokoto Sultanate Council, the state government and the people of Sokoto.
The family prayed for good health, long life and wisdom for the new Kuliyan Sokoto.
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