Don’t Cause Religious Crisis In Ilorin, Unilorin Don Cautions Soyinka
Written by Olarotimi Oshin on July 8, 2023
A Professor of Islamic Studies, Badmas Lanre Yusuf, has cautioned the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, against inciting comments that could plunge the Ilorin Emirate into needless religious crisis.
He also warned the globally acclaimed writer that the indigenes of Ilorin, who are predominantly Muslims, would not condone written or verbal attacks on the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who symbolizes Islam.
Yusuf, a former Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin, gave the warning on the sidelines of his Juma’ah sermon delivered at Hilal Crescent Mosque, Offa Road, GRA, Ilorin.
This came against the backdrop of an open letter Soyinka wrote and directed to the Emir of Ilorin over the latter’s directive to stop a planned idolatry festival in Ilorin by one Ajesikemi Olokun Omolara.
In the letter titled “On Isese festival: Sulu Gambari, you’re neither omniscient or omnipotent”, Soyinka urged the Emir to make peace with the priestess to enable “peaceful co-habitation, respect for other worldviews, their celebrations, their values and humanity”.
