Dr A. R. Kamal: Tribute to An Apostle of Simplicity

 Dr A. R. Kamal: Tribute to An Apostle of Simplicity

By Abubakar Imam

On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Ilorin Emirate lost one of its finest patriots, Dr AbdulGafar Rasheed Kamal. Until his death, Dr Kamal was the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin. 

The death of Dr Kamal came to me with a rude shock. But who can question the decision of the Giver and Taker of life?. 

Nevertheless, I initially found the news very difficult to believe until I placed a call to my sister and colleague, Mrs Fatima Rasheed of Kwara State Television Service, who confirmed the sad news to me.

His demise reminds me of the Yoruba saying, "Igi tí ó bá tó, kìí pé nígbó" (a tall and straight tree does not last in the bush). Dr Kamal was a perfect gentleman. He was very humble, patriotic and sublime.

Because of my interest in always meeting people, I had always known the deceased as one of the rising stars of the southernmost Emirate. But our paths didn't cross until 2022. This was through Alhaji Abdullahi Aiyelabegan (Goga). 

Alhaji Aiyelabegan, a patriotic activist and eldest son of the longest-serving Secretary of the Old Ilorin Branch of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) and Magaji of the popular Aiyelabegan family of Ilorin, Alhaji Suleiman Oba Aiyelabegan, had arranged a meeting between the late Dr Kamal and me. Alhaji Aiyelabegan moderated the meeting, which was to see how IEDPU could play a role in Dr Kamal's efforts to become the Chief Executive of NCAM. The parley was held in my Office at the IEDPU National Secretariat, Garin Alimi.

In the course of the meeting, I discovered Dr Kamal to be somebody one could work with. He was simple, straightforward and ever ready to accept suggestions. He never proved to be all knowing. I recalled making a few suggestions to him, which he promised to work upon. He did and would feed me back as he progressed.

To God be the glory, he eventually secured the position. Unlike some others who would disregard those they met on their way to the top, Dr Kamal reached back to me to inform me of his success.

And I was following him as he proceeded with the job. He meant and acted well. He gave the job his best and was willing to make NCAM more socially- responsive.

Dr Kamal, who was the first indigene of Ilorin Emirate to head NCAM, worked with the IEDPU on a number of occasions. He hosted a delegation of the Union on a courtesy visit and did all he could to make the Ilorin community feel its impact like never before.

He particularly assisted me when I was unveiling my book, "Ilorin Emirate's Frontliners" in 2023. He not only made an handsome donation, he also assisted me with a utility vehicle for two days.

Apart from being a co-sponsor of the penultimate edition of the IEDPU's Ilorin Emirate Inter-Secondary Schools Quiz Competition, Dr Kamal always supported the Union in one way or the other towards achieving its objectives. He was particularly supportive of the Secretariat during the Union's annual national conference. As the Head of its Secretariat, I can say with all sense of responsibility that Dr Kamal was one of the Chief Executives of Ilorin-based organisations who always made transportation of delegates to and from venues of our conferences less tedious.

A fine gentleman, Dr Kamal was the first product of the blessed marriage between the late Brigadier-General Rasheed Kamal and Princess Zinat Modupe Kamal. General Kamal retired from the Nigerian Army in 2005 as its Chief Imam and Director of Islamic Affairs. 

While Dr Kamal's father was the 6th child and third son of the first Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiy, MFR, OFR, ORSA; and the immediate younger full sibling of the late second Khalifa Adabiyyin, Shaykh Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaluddeen (1938-2020); his mother is a princess of Alimi Dynasty and one of the daughters of the 8th Emir of Ilorin, Shaykh Abdulkadir Shuaib Bawa, CBE. His paternal grandmother, Alhaja Habeebat Kamaluddeen, was also a daughter of the sixth Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Balogun Habib, who succeeded the famous Balogun Ahmadu Biala in 1907.

After his primary education, Dr Kamal attended his father's alma mata, the Government Secondary School, Ilorin, from where he received his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1984. He, thereafter, proceeded to the University of Ilorin for his tertiary education. From the better by far University, Dr Kamal bagged his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

The late NCAM's Executive Director did not relax in his pursuit of learning. He crowned his alluring academic credentials with a doctorate degree in Agricultural Engineering from the nation's premier University, the University of Ibadan. This qualification made him more professionally relevant.

Dr Kamal joined the services of NCAM and it was there that he worked throughout. He rose through the ranks and held a number of management positions before being eventually entrusted with its leadership by former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in April, 2023.

Dr Kamal has come and gone. His life was, however, full of lessons for the younger ones. His simplicity, patriotism and eruditon deserve to be emulated.

From him, I learnt that "a tiger does not go about singing its tigritude as noted by African first Nobel laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka. Despite being blessed with noble and enviable backgrounds, Dr Kamal behaved and conducted himself with most courtesy. Apart from his name and look, one would not know that he was a descendant of three of the community's most respected leaders.

Dr Kamal exemplified the Yoruba saying that "àgbá tí ó bá lómi nínú kìí dún. Àgbá òfìfo ló máa n pariwo (an empty drum makes the loudest noise). He was simplicity personified to the extent of being evasive.

I am happy that all the tributes I have read about him since his death was announced were quite positive and stimulating. Everybody who commented on his death and personality had something good and positive to say about him and his career.

I commiserate with His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, on the death of his cousin and subject. I also sympathise with the Khalifa Adabiyyin, His Eminence Shaykh Abdulkadir Muhammad Kamaldeen Al-Adabiy, on the loss of a dear "son" and flag bearer of the dynasty's decency as I commiserate with his loving mother for losing such a beloved son at a prime age. 

His beloved widow, Hajiya Maryam Kamaldeen, and children are equally sympathised with. My sympathy also goes to all his other relations, friends and colleagues and with the National President of the IEDPU, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, on the demise of a promising member and supporter. He would be sorely missed.

May Allah forgive all the shortcomings of Dr Kamal and reward his good deeds with Aljanat Fridous. Amin.

Imam is the immediate past National Secretary of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.