ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY PROFESSOR NIMAH MODUPE ABDULRAHEEM ON BEING ELECTED AS THE DEAN, FACULTY OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN ON 7TH JULY, 2023
The 7th of July 2023, is a day members of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, will not forget easily. It was the day that the Faculty elected its First Female Dean in the person of Professor Nimah Modupe Abdulraheem.
“Landlady” as she is fondly called has been breaking boundaries and setting new heights for a long time now. She is the First Female Professor from the city of Ilorin, The First Female Professor of our beloved Faculty and now, she is currently the First Female Dean. We are also proud to say that she is a lecturer from the Jurisprudence and International Law Department.
Her acceptance speech delivered on the 7th of July 2023, can be read below:
“Distinguished Professors, Elders of the Faculty, particularly, Prof. A.A Oba, other colleagues in the faculty, representatives of other faculties, ladies and gentlemen.
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh (May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you all).
I stand before you today with deep gratitude and humility to accept your decision to elect me into the exalted position of Dean of the Faculty of Law. I feel truly honoured by the trust and confidence bestowed upon me by this esteemed Faculty, and I wish to express sincere appreciation to the entire members of the Faculty Board and the entire Faculty staff for entrusting me with this critical responsibility. First and foremost, permit me to express my gratitude to Almighty Allah (SWT), the All-wise and Most Merciful for guiding me through my academic journey and granting me this wonderful opportunity to serve the university in the noble position of Dean. I pray for His continued blessings and guidance as we embark on this collective endeavour to advance the glory of the faculty in the field of law and legal education.
I also extend deepest appreciation to my predecessors who are still members of this board, starting from the Vice Chancellor of our great citadel of learning, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole SAN, Profs. Ibrahim Abdulkadir Abikan, Ibrahim Yusuf Arowosaiye, Ibrahim Kayode Adam, Abdulmumini Adebayo Oba to the outgoing Dean, Prof. Hakeem Olasunkanmi Ijaiya for dedicating their time, efforts, and wisdom in shaping this faculty into what it is today. Their valuable contributions have indeed set a high standard of excellence to which I am committed to upholding and building upon with your support in shaa Allah. I should hasten to add that I have never for a moment forgotten the invaluable contributions of Profs. Muhammad Taofiq Abdulrazak, Abdulqadir Zubair, and Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi and Dr. Zacchaeus Aje of blessed memories. I specifically recognise Prof Oba Yusuf Abdulhamid for your efforts in this journey. Thank you and God bless.
To all exceptional faculty members, your sound expertise, sterling passion, and unwavering dedication have made this Faculty a beacon of legal knowledge, I salute you all and express my utmost respect and admiration. It is your intellectual rigour and commitment to academic excellence that have earned this faculty its well-deserved reputation in the academia. I am humbled to have the opportunity to work alongside such brilliant minds and committed educators. Your expertise, wisdom, and passion for the law inspire me and reassure me that together, we shall continue to foster an environment of intellectual growth and excellence. I am grateful to be given the task of leading your league and eager to collaborate with each of you in advancing our shared vision.
As proclaimed by our amiable Vice Chancellor that the sun rises again in this citadel of learning, I wish to state that similar sun is set to rise in our great faculty with your support by the grace of Allah. I promise, with God on our side that collaboration and inclusivity will be the cornerstones of our operation during this tenure. I believe in the power of fostering a diverse and inclusive community where every voice is heard and respected. We will work together to create an environment that encourage intellectual curiosity, innovative research, and vibrant discourse on legal matters that affect our society.
As we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and in line with the SMART agenda of our able, committed and indefatigable Vice Chancellor, I commit to embracing technological advancements (where and when possible) and staying abreast of emerging trends in the legal field. Together, we will adapt our curriculum and teaching methodologies to equip our students with the skills needed to excel in an ever-evolving legal landscape.
Our students, though they are not here with us, are the lifeblood and heartbeat of this Faculty. They are the reason we exist, and their thirst for knowledge and commitment to the pursuit of justice are part of what truly motivate us. As the Dean, one of my utmost priorities will be their academic and personal growth. I pledge my firm commitment to providing them with an environment that fosters intellectual growth, critical thinking, and the development of ethical as well as correct moral values, including dressing. As the next generation of legal professionals, they hold the power to shape our society for the better. I am dedicated to ensuring that their educational experience equips them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and character to become leaders who uphold justice and promote the rule of law. We will strive to produce well-rounded legal professionals who possess not only legal expertise but also compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the diverse communities they will serve.
To the enviable alumni of this great Faculty under the leadership of my ‘son’, Professor Bashir Adeniyi Omipidan and my sweet sister, Dr. Mrs. Olubunmi Lucy Niyi-Gafar known to some of us as Hajia Amina alias Iya Hakeem, I express my gratitude for your continued support and dedication to the faculty. You are the embodiment and mirror of our shared vision, and your achievements in your respective walks of life reflect the excellence of this faculty. I look forward to engaging with you more, leveraging your respective expertise, and strengthening our alumni network to create greater opportunities for our students and the faculty. Please convey my message to others as I am still coming to meet you personally and I trust that I will never be disappointed.
I call upon the faculty, staff, students, and even our amiable alumni to join hands as we embark on this collective journey. Your expertise, ideas, and engagement are vital to our success. Let us foster a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and lifelong learning that will enable us to continue making meaningful contributions to the legal profession and society at large.
As I firmly believe in the power of research and scholarship to drive positive change, I intend to cultivate a culture of research excellence, encouraging faculty members to pursue innovative research projects and contribute to the body of legal knowledge. Our faculty will actively engage with local, national, and international communities, sharing our expertise and contributing to the development of just and equitable legal systems. I challenge the Head of Department and other members of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law to set the ball rolling in this regard. Though I am for none but for all, I find it difficult to detach myself from that great department whom Allah has granted the mercy and honour of producing the first female Dean since the inception of this great faculty.
Once again, I am immensely honoured and deeply humbled to accept the position of Dean in this esteemed Faculty of Law. With the support and dedication of our faculty, students, staff, and stakeholders, I am confident that we will build upon our past achievements and reach new heights of excellence. I invite you all to join me on this journey, as we shape the legal minds of the future and make a lasting impact on society.
Finally, because I was born, nurtured, elevated and continue to enjoy the blessings of the Qur’an, permit me to digress a bit to Q18:110 which in part says: “Qul Innamaa Ana basharun mithlukum” Meaning,” say O Muhammad I am only a man like you…” It is in this regard I acknowledge boldly that I am just human who is susceptible to mistakes like anyone. I hereby request and hope you will all assist me by drawing my attention to areas of improvement as we move the faculty forward. May Allah guide us, bless us with success, and help us in our pursuit of knowledge and justice. Shukran Jazeelan (Thank you very much).
