Professor Abdul Hakeem Mobolaji died at the age of 49years (28 Sept, 1966 – 20 September 2015). This iconic figure is many things to different people. I share with you his profile from his resume sent to me recently in connection with a project to be executed in Fountain University for the purpose of uplifting the university selflessly.
He wrote the resume himself, not knowing he was bequeathing to upcoming generation his milestones and accomplishments. Mobolaji came to the world as a Muslim activist; he worked tirelessly for Islam; he was honoured by Allah with good health and brilliant thoughts; he was honored by men who entrusted him with sensitive assignments; his brothers entrusted him with herculean tasks; he excelled to the limit of his capacities and potentials. His interest is not pecuniary benefits that many run after, but how Islam and the Ummah would be uplifted intellectually, ideologically and economically in order for the Ummah to be able to fulfil its mandate in Nigeria and beyond.
I got the message of his death shocked! I cannot sleep because we are close. I visited him recently in Fountain; we have unfinished assignments and tall dreams on how to benefit humanity. These tall dreams and unfinished assignments may lie fallow until Allah raises the like of Omo Alhaja. He was born an activist; he lived as activist; he was on activism assignment and he died the death of true activist along with his activist son. He would insha Allah be raised among the activists on the day of Judgement, amin.
Till we meet insha Allah on the day of judgement. I pray as follows:
Allaahum-maghfir lahu warhamhu, wa ‘aafihi, wa’fu ‘anhu, wa ‘akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi’ mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bilmaa’i waththalji walbaradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataayaa kamaa naqqaytath-thawbal-‘abyadha minad-danasi, wa ‘abdilhu daaran khayran min daarihi, wa ‘ahlan khayran min ‘ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi, wa ‘adkhilhul-jannata, wa. ‘a’ithhu min ‘athaabil-qabri[wa ‘athaabin-naar].
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him and give him strength and pardon him. Be generous to him and cause his entrance to be wide and wash him with water and snow and hail. Cleanse him of his transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains. Give him an abode better than his home, and a family better than his family and a wife better than his wife. Take him into Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave [and from the punishment of Hell-fire]
His Academic and Professional Profile
1. Academic and Professional Qualification
PhD Economics, Department of Economics, University of Leicester, UK 2008
M.A Islamic Banking and Finance, Loughborough University, UK (Distinction) 2005
M.Sc Economics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 1992
B.Sc Economics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (Second Class Upper) 1990
ACTI, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria 2000
2. Previous and Present Positions
Senior Inspector of Taxes, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria 1993-2001
Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Ilorin 2001-2009
Postgraduate Coordinator, Dept of Economics, Unilorin 2009-2010
Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, Fountain University 2010-2011
Ag.Head of Department, Economics Dept, Fountain University 2010-2011
Chairman, Board of Directors, Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank, Lagos 2010 to date
Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, UNILORIN 2012 to date
Ag. Head of Department, Economics Department, UNILORIN 2012 to Date
Research Associate, Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research 2012 to Date
Special Assistant to DG, National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) 2013 -2014
Head, Public Finance and Macroeconomics Unit (NILS), National Assembly 2014 -2015
Professor, Head of Department, Economics, Fountain University, Osogbo 2015 to date
3. International Experience
Associate Tutor, Management Centre, University of Leicester 2004-2006
Associate Tutor, Department of Economics, University of Leicester 2005-2008
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for African Research and Resources
Development, (CARRD) UK 2008
Consultant, Alexander Brookes Training, UK/CBN 2009 to date
4. OTHER ADMINISRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Chairman, Publicity committee of the senate, 2010
Chairman, College Research Committee College of Management and
Social Sciences (COMAS) Fountain University, Osogbo (FUO), 2011
Chairman, University Guest Lecture series, FUO, 2011
Member, Joint Council/Senate committee on Honorary Awards, (FUO), 2011
Alternate Chairman, Senate Ceremonial Committee, (FUO), 2011
Member, Fountain University Ventures (FUO),2011
Member, Senate council, University of Ilorin, 2012
Member, Nigerian University Research and Development committee, Unilorin, 2012
5. Professional Membership
Member, Nigerian Economics Society 1994
Associate member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria 2000
Member, International Association of Islamic Economics 2004
Member, Development Studies Association (UK) 2005
Member, African Econometrics Society 2006
6. Research
Research Interest
· Financial Economics , Development Economics and Applied Econometrics
Refereeing
Journal of Applied Financial Economics (UK), Journal of Social Responsibility (UK), Journal of Applied Economics (UK), Journal of Economic Studies (UK), Lapai International Journal of Management and Social Sciences (Nig), Journal of Sports Business and Management (UK)
African Finance Journal (South Africa), Economic and Financial Review (CBN, Nigeria)
Community/National service
Member, Finance Technical Working Group, National Integrated infrastructure Development Master plan (2014-2043) Federal Government 2013
Member, Editorial Board , Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy (IJEP) 2015
Editor in Chief, Fountain University Journal of Management Sciences 2015
Some Past Consultancy/Research Grants Won
TETFUND/ Research Grant, NUC on Public Good provision and Public Perception of State legitimacy in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State in 2014,
NILS, National Assembly Research Grant on Out of school incidence in Nigeria, Abuja A pilot-study. 2014, Grant to facilitate Panel Econometrics workshop by West African Monetary Institute, Ghana, 2014, Research Grant from NISER, to build NISER Econometric Model for Nigeria, 2012, ECOWAS Research grant on Financial integration in West Africa, 2011, Research Grant from National Committee of Experts on Wage Fixing in Nigeria 2010, advise Federal Government on appropriate wages for Nigerian Workers and Mathematics Adviser, students Learning Centre, University of Leicester, 2006-8
At death we are proud of you.
As-salam Alaykum Professor Abdul Hakeem
Tribute from your organisation – The Muslim Congress (TMC) National Headquarters
Imam (Dr.) Luqman AbdurRaheem