Kwara Governor, Clerics, Others Mourn, Extol Virtues Of Chief Imam Of Ilorin, Sheikh Solihu

Eminent personalities including the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari and the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu, have extolled the virtues of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Solihu, who died on Monday, 19th January, 2026 at the age of 75 .

Imam Solihu   died in Abuja from where his corpse was flown to Ilorin, Kwara State for burial. He was buried at his Arabic and Islamic Institute, Egbejila, in the outskirt of Ilorin on Tuesday after the janazah prayer, held at the fourcourt of the palace of the Emir of Ilorin.

Born in 1950 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Sheikh Solihu rose through years of dedicated Islamic scholarship and service to become one of the most influential religious leaders in the state.

He served as the 12th Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate, a position he held for over four decades following his appointment in 1983.

Throughout his 43 years  reign, Imam Solihu  was widely known for his deep understanding of Islamic teachings, firm leadership in religious affairs, and consistent advocacy for peace, unity, and religious tolerance among Muslims and the larger society.

In a condolence message, the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq extolled the virtues of  Imam Solihu.

The governor, in the message signed by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said Imam Solihu represented the finest breed of Muslim scholarship in the history of Ilorin, describing his passing as shocking and unfortunate.

The governor’s condolence message reads:” I am saddened by the unfortunate death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih (OON).

” Sheikh Muhammad Bashir represented the finest breed of Muslim scholarship in the history of Ilorin, and his passing — shocking, depressing, and saddening as it is — again reminds us that even great men die.

“He will be missed for his uniquely outstanding scholarship, his patience and good nature, and his fine qualities as the leading Imam in our state.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the Mai Martaba Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, OFR, the entire Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State Council of Ulamah, and the immediate family of the Chief Imam.

“I  ask Allaah to accept Imam Muhammad Bashir as his dutiful servant, forgive his imperfections, ease his accounts, elevate his rank in Al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family and the community upon goodness. Aamin. ”

In his condolence message, the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari  expressed deep sadness over the death  of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Solihu.

The Emir,  in the message signed by his press secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, described the demise of the cleric as a colossal loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the entire Muslim Ummah and humanity in general.

The statement reads : “Inna lillahi waina ilaehi roji’un, it is with total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that we receive the news of the demise of the 12th Chief of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih Onida OON.

“He was a cleric with unique features, intelligence, honesty, loyalty, dedication and tolerance. His demise has caused us in Ilorin Emirate great sadness of no particular measure. We reflect on his lifetime as a man of great of honour and piety.

“Late Imam Solih was full of wisdom and he was notable for unifying the entire Muslim clerics as well as promotion of inter-religious harmony in the state.

“The janazah ( burial prayer) will hold at the palace square of the Emir of Ilorin by 4pm today, Monday 19th January 2026.”

Sulu-Gambari prayed the Almighty Allah to grant  Imam Solih absolute forgiveness, accept his good deeds and admit him into Al-janatul firdaos.

The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu said he was  heartbroken by the death of Imam  Solihu, in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Sheu AbdulKadir Yusuf.

‘We have lost a rare gem, it is indeed the end of an era!’, Danladi-Salihu stated in a statement, describing the Chief Imam’s passing as colossal.

“For over four decades, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih OON paraded erudition, religious and community leadership as the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin Emirate where he led the Muslim community for over four decades nurturing its spiritual development, he would be sorely missed by all.

” The Speaker on behalf of the Kwara State House of Assembly extends deepest condolences to the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Chief Imam’s family and the Muslim community and the entire Ilorin Emirate as a whole,” the statement said.

The former Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, said  that he received the news of the passing of Solihu with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss.

Saraki, in a statement signed by his press officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, described the late Chief Imam as an institution whose life was defined by scholarship, devotion to Allah, and selfless service to the Ummah.

He noted that Imam  Solihu’s over four decades of continuous leadership on the mimbar transformed him into a moral compass and spiritual authority whose influence transcended the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State.

The director general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS),  Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman expressed profound shock and sadness over the demise  of Imam Solihu.

In a condolence message signed by his media aide, Mohammad Abdulkadri,  Sulaiman said the deceased bequeathed legacies of a committed devotee and service to Almighty Allah as well as humanity.

The senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, Mal.Saliu Mustapha, expressed deep shock over the passing of Imam Solihu.

He described Imam Solihu’s  death as a monumental loss to Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and the entire Nigerian Muslim community.

In a personally issued condolence message, Mustapha said the demise of the revered Islamic scholar is devastating, noting that Sheikh Solihu lived a life of service, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the cause of Islam and humanity.

The founder of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Alh. AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Imam Solihu,  describing the loss as a profound blow to the Ilorin Emirate and the entire Muslim Ummah.

In a condolence message,  Oladimeji, said the deceased was a distinguished religious leader whose life was defined by scholarship, humility, and unwavering service to Islam and humanity.

According to him, the late cleric stood as a moral compass for the Ilorin Emirate, offering guidance rooted in knowledge, wisdom, and peace, while fostering unity among the people irrespective of differences.

Oladimeji extended his  condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, the Ilorin Emirate Council, the immediate family of the deceased, the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Council of Ulama, and the people of Ilorin, praying that Almighty Allah grants them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The president of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alh Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik,  commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin,  Governor AbdulRazaq  on the death of Imam Solihu.

In a statement signed by the union’s publicity secretary, Mal. Shuaib Dagbo, Abdulmalik, who also sympathised with the family of the late cleric, described his demise as a great loss not only to Ilorin Emirate but also to the humanity at large.

Abdulmalik, who noted that the late Chief Imam provided quality and fascinating spiritual leadership for the Ilorin community for 43 years, adding that he would be remembered forever for adding glamour and grace to the office of the Chief Imam.

The rector, Kwara State Polytechnic,Ilorin, Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed  expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Imam Solihu.

He described Imam Solihu’s death it as a loss not only to the Islamic community in Ilorin but to the entire Muslim Ummah across Nigeria and beyond.

In a statement issued by the Polytechnic’s public relations officer, Mrs Halimat Garba, the rector added  that the late Chief Imam’s wisdom and leadership were guiding lights for many, reflecting the true essence of Islamic teachings.

Recalling the life of the late Chief Imam, the rector highlighted his unwavering commitment to peace and eloquent sermons that inspired both the young and old, encouraging them to strive for knowledge and uphold the values of compassion and justice.

The Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)  described the death Imam of Imam  Solihu, as a colossal loss to the Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and the entire Muslim community.

In a statement jointly signed by the chairman of the Union,  Ahmed, and the secretary, Olayinka Alaya, the Council said Nigeria has lost one of its finest islamic scholars.

The Gamji Members Association (GAMA) described the demise of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashur Solihu as a collosal loss to the Muslim World, especially Ilorin Emirate.

The association in a condolence message signed by its president general, Alh Mohammed Tunde Akanbi and director of publicity, Alh Abdullahi Olesin, described Imam Solihu as a refined Muslim scholar who conducted his religious duties with the fear of Allah.

It noted that the late Chief Imam  always stood on the side of the truth in all matters brought before him, and adjudicated only in accordance with the dictates of the Glorious Qur’an and the teachings of the holy Prophet Muhammad ( Hadith).

The association said that Imam Solihu’s exemplary conduct and virtues of humility, peaceful disposition, kindness, generosity and God – fearing are worthy of emulation by the Muslims, especially Muslim clerics.

The  Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) said it received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Imam Solihu.

The Institute in a statement jointly signed by the chairman of the Kwara State chapter, Mr. Gabriel Ogunade and general secretary, Mr AbdulRahman Sanni described the death of the revered Islamic cleric as a monumental loss, not only to the Ilorin Emirate and the Muslim Ummah, but also to Kwara State and Nigeria at large.