Ilorin Chief Imam: Sulu – Gambari, Abdulrazaq, Saraki, IEDPU mourn death of Imam Bashir Solihu

By: Aminah Salako – Adekunle

The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, has passed away at the age of 75.

The news of his death was confirmed on Monday, marking the end of a long and impactful era of religious leadership in the Ilorin Emirate. Sheikh Saliu was widely respected for his deep knowledge of Islam, humility, and commitment to the spiritual and moral guidance of the community.

Born in 1950 in Ilorin, Kwara State, he dedicated his entire life to Islamic scholarship and service. He assumed office as the 12th Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate in 1983 and remained in the position for 43 years, during which he played a significant role in strengthening Islamic institutions and promoting unity within the Emirate.

Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, OON.

In a condolence z. message, Governor AbdulRazaq described the late Chief Imam as a foremost Islamic scholar who represented the finest tradition of Muslim scholarship in the history of Ilorin.

The Governor said the passing of the revered cleric is shocking and saddening, noting that he will be greatly missed for his exceptional scholarship, patience, good character, and leadership as the Chief Imam of Ilorin.

Governor AbdulRazaq extended his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, OFR, the Ilorin Emirate, the Kwara State Council of Ulamah, and the immediate family of the deceased.

He prayed Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late Chief Imam, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and give his family and the Muslim community the strength to bear the loss.

Also, Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has stated that he received the news of the passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh (Dr.) Muhammad Bashir Salihu with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss.

Dr. 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 Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Salihu’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 former Governor of Kwara State who on behalf of his family, extended his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the immediate family of the late Chief Imam, the Council of Ulama, Alfas, and Imams in the State and beyond, and the entire people of the Ilorin Emirate.

He stated that Ilorin, Kwara State, and the Nigerian Muslim Ummah have lost a towering spiritual leader, an accomplished scholar, and a symbol of faith, moderation, and service to humanity.

Senator Saraki also recalled the father and son relationship he had with the late Chief Imam, describing his prayers, counsel, and moral support during critical moments in his public service as unforgettable.

As the people mourn this great loss, the former Senate President urged the Ilorin Emirate and the Muslim Ummah to take solace in the enduring legacy left behind by the late Chief Imam, a life devoted to Allah and service to humanity.

He prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the departed scholar, accept his decades of service as acts of ibadah, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and comfort the Ilorin Emirate, his family, and the entire Muslim Ummah.

IEDPU sympathises Emir of Ilorin, Others

The National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, has commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji(Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,CFR; His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as well as others on the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Saliu,OON.

In a statement signed by the Union’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo, Alhaji 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.

Alhaji Abdulmalik, who noted that the late cleric was a pride to the community, said that the late Chief Imam provided quality and fascinating spiritual leadership for the community for 43 years, saying that he would be remembered forever for adding glamour and grace to the office of the Chief Imam.

While condoling with his family, the President also sympathised with the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Shaykh Abdullahi AbulHameed, Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Abdul Azeez, and other members of the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State Council of Ulama as well as the entire people of Ilorin Emirate on the demise of the outstanding cleric.

Alhaji Abdulmalik prayed to Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the Chief Imam and reward his good deeds with Aljanat Fridaous.

The Chief Imam died on Monday after a brief illness at the age of 76.