On Sunday, June 28, 2026, the late Sheikh Ahmad Muhalley Akanbi Badrudeen Al-Ameeny was alive on the lips of almost everyone at the 90th anniversary of the Amin Arabic Training Centre, Iwo, Osun State, which he founded.
The widely travelled scholar was drenched with shower of praises, especially that poured extemporally by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi who attested that the revered cleric, who passed away in 1985, left enduring legacy in the school and proud biological and foster children, all of whom, he stressed, are adding immeasurable values to Iwo and the society as a whole beyond Islamic education.
The anniversary drew a crowd of guests which stretched the Organising Committtee members who had to make emergency arrangement to ensure all guests were comfortable.
Days to the anniversary which held at the institute premises, the Oluwo had cancelled his functions scheduled for the same date as a mark of honour to Sheikh Badrudeen Al-Ameeny. And the traditional ruler lived up to his desire.
Aside that he arrived early, his remarks attracted an hail of applause, especially while analysing the omnipresence of God as the all-knowing and one in total control of human life.
The Oluwo equated humans with tenants of God, the owner of the property, which is the world, reiterating that he is on the throne not as king but as representative of God, who, according to him, is the king over the world.
In what looked like a reply to his many critics who queried his suitability to the throne, he clarified that his contest to the throne about 11 years ago was inspired by his need to cleanse the stool he described as filthy.
“Don’t ask me of why I am on the throne. I came to cleanse the palace because the palace was dirty with all sorts of negative things taking place. I am a change agent, and that is what I am doing in the palace. I don’t accept or worship any other thing apart from God. So, I am confident of myself; I am scared of no one because no one has power over me,” he asserted.
Oba Akanbi charged his audience to also be a change agent in what they do in life with a view to making positive impact on people and their environment. He said President Bola Tinubu came to power in 2023 with a mindset to change the course of Nigeria by removing the fuel subsidy which he had identified as a stumbling block to economic growth of Nigeria.
The occasion featured a fund raising segment as well as presentation of awards.
In attendance was representative of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke. Also in attendance was governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15 elections, Alhaji Munirudeen Oyebanji who used the occasion to remembered a chieftain of his party and son of founder of the centre, the late Alhaji Debo Badru who passed on in 2024.
Oyebanji lamented that were Badru alive, many more members of the party would have made it to that anniversary because of his pedigree as one who also identified with his friends and political associates at their occasions.
Other personalities at the anniversay included Alhaji Liad Tella, who was father of the day, Alhaja Bushrah Oloso, mother of the day; Professor Lai Olorode, Chief Imam of Iwo, Dr Thanni, Engineer Jeleel Alim, Engineer Moruf Ojebode, Dr Abdul Hakeem Adedokun, Otun Mufashir Akure among others. Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Custom Service, Mr Bashir Adewale was represented.
Mudeerul-Markaz, Sheikh Daud Badru and Secretary of the Organising Committee, Sheikh Ibrahim Haroon were appreciative of the impressive response to their invites, wishing all guests and donors much more blessings of the Almighty Allah.
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