Zulikha Abiola Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Abeokuta an Islamic college built by the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola in memory of his mother – Zulikha Abiola in 1978 to promote teaching and research of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nigeria and beyond, is on the verge of being sold, BD SUNDAY has learnt.
It was gathered that the college landed property and building structure, sparing about 5 hectares and worth over N5 billion, which houses Zulikha Abiola Memorial Quranic centre and College of Arabic and Islamic Studies affiliated to Usman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto, was offered for sale by an influential family to the Abiolas in Abeokuta (name withheld).
But the Governing Council of Zulikha Abiola Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies located at Abiola Way area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital has kicked against the move, crying out loudly over the attempt to sell off the property belonging to the late business mogul and the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 Nigeria’s Presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
According to a press statement credited to Mutiu Agboke, the solicitor to Zulikha Abiola Centre for Islamic and Arabic Studies Governing Council, an influential family close to Abiola’s family in Abeokuta (name withheld) was allegedly working with some unnamed members of Abiola’s family to sell the property which currently has over 1,000 students.
Agboke, a barrister-at-law, argued that the Islamic and Arabic School was dedicated, through a legal declaration, to be an Islamic center after the demise of Abiola and entrusted to the Governing Council of the institution, while Kola Abiola, the first son of the late politician was made the proprietor of the college.
RAZAQ AYINLA
