Nigeria’s immediate past High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, has showered glowing praise on Professor Yusuf Olaolu Ali SAN, calling him a rare gem whose presence brings blessings to every community he serves.
In a heartfelt goodwill message ahead of Professor Ali’s turbaning ceremony, Ambassador Isola celebrated the Senior Advocate of Nigeria’s remarkable philanthropic contributions across different sectors of society. The event, set to hold on Friday, April 11, 2025, will see Ali formally installed as the first Kuliya Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate by Mai Martaba, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
“Indeed, every community in Nigeria deserves a Professor Yusuf Ali SAN,” Ambassador Isola emphasized while detailing Ali’s benevolence and impact in education, healthcare, religion, and community development.
“On behalf of myself and family, I congratulate my dear friend and brother, Professor Yusuf Olaolu Ali SAN as he is turbaned on Friday, 11th of April, 2025 as 1st Kuliya Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate by Mai Martaba the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji. Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR,” he said.
The former diplomat commended the Emir and people of Ilorin for bestowing the honor in recognition of Ali’s “numerous and laudable contributions to the peace, progress and development of the Emirate over the years.”
While acknowledging Ali’s deep commitment to Ilorin, where he resides, Ambassador Isola also highlighted his contributions to Ifetedo, his hometown in Osun State’s Ife South Local Government Area.
“With his numerous contributions to Ilorin and Ifetedo in terms of provision of many life changing projects, scholarships for students and empowerment for the poor and the needy, one can safely say that he is a blessing to every community he finds himself. Indeed, every community in Nigeria deserves a Professor Yusuf Ali SAN,” he reiterated.
Among Ali’s noteworthy educational support initiatives are significant infrastructure donations to various institutions: a 40-bed twin dormitory and a fully equipped 10-bed Advanced Trauma Centre to the University of Ilorin and its teaching hospital; an 80-bed hostel to Osun State University; 30-unit ICT centers to the Faculties of Law at Obafemi Awolowo University and Crescent University, Abeokuta; a 40-unit E-Resource center to Kwara State Polytechnic; and a 20-room hostel to Fountain University, Osogbo.
Beyond academics, Isola lauded Ali’s deep devotion to Islam, noting that his financial support in religious propagation is “too numerous to start enumerating and I am sure he too must have lost count of them.”
He concluded with admiration for Ali’s humility, stating, “The most striking thing about Prof Ali’s philanthropism is that he gives with humility, expecting praise from no one, but reward only from his maker, Allah. My family and I wish this unique personality long life, sound mind and good health to carry out the demands of his new office – the 1st Kuliyan Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate.”
