The immediate past Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Raphael Afonja has revealed the reason why he dumped Christianity for Islam.
Afonja said, he had wanted to become a Muslim since his childhood age as he was given birth to parents with mixed religion, he said his father was a Christian while his mother was a practising Muslim and it gave him privilege to be nurtured by parents with mixed religion.
Afonja disclosed this today in a telephone chat with ODUDUWA NEWS correspondent, he affirmed that he chose to take a bold step and followed his intention having been convinced it was right time to do so.
ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported yesterday how the Commissioner was converted to a Muslim in a shot clip circulated on social media.
In the 1 minute, 35 seconds video that has since gone viral, the Professor of Physical Sciences now known as AbdurRahman was seen pronouncing the Kalimat Shahada after the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Talihat Yunus Ayilara.
The former Commissioner who has now adopted the name AbdurRahman, is a Professor at the Department of Physical Sciences, City University of New York. He was once an Adjunct Professor at the Southern New Hampshire University.
He has won several honours, some of which include: U.S. Army National Defense Service Medal, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; U.S. Army Service Ribbon, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; U.S. Army Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; U.S. Army Sharpshooter Qualification Badge, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Others are Distinguish Honor Graduate, US Army Quartermaster School; Doctoral Fellowship Award, City of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Aside from his academic career, he has an intimidating diverse professional career having worked for various bodies. Some of these include the United States Air Force, where he served as a Program Manager/Engineer in the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron, and Gamut Engineering and Technology Services where he was a Senior Consultant.