Kwara Governor, Saraki, Mustapha Pay Last Respects To Ilorin Chief Imam

Eminent Nigerians including the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, former Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki and the senator representing Kwara Central at the National Assembly, Mal. Salihu Mustapha, yesterday attended the burial prayer for the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Solihu.

Imam Solihu died on Monday at the age of 75 in Abuja from where his corpse was flown to Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, for burial.

But, the burial prayer and interment of the remains of the deceased were later postponed to yesterday (Tuesday.).

Though, the governor was not physically present at the burial prayer held at the forecourt of the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, he was represented by a powerful delegation led by his senior adviser/ counselor, Alh Saadu Salahu.

Other members of the government delegation included the senior special assistant on Religion ( Islam), Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro, ex- non executive director of NNPCL, Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya, special advisers on Special Duties and Media, Alh AbdulRazaq Jiddah and Alh Bashir Adigun respectfully.

Prominent Islamic scholars from far and near that participated in the burial prayer included the grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Umar Faruq Onikijipa, Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muhideen Salman, Kwara State grand Kadi, Justice AbdulLateef Kamaldeen, ex- grand Kadi, Justice Solihu Mohammed, chairman, Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Prof Mashood Jimba, his predecessor, Prof AbdulKadir Sambaki and Prof Halilu Gbodofu, amongst others.

The funeral prayer’s venue was filled to capacity, as security operatives struggled to control the massive crowd that turned out to pay their last respects.

The funeral prayer was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi AbdulHameed.

The remains of Imam Solihu were later interred at his Arabic and Islamic Training Institute, Egbejila, in the outskirt of Ilorin metropolis.