Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Saraki, has expressed grief over the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Salihu, whom he described as an outstanding spiritual leader committed to religion, scholarship and service to humanity.
Reports indicate that the revered cleric died in the early hours of Monday at the age of 75.
In a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, and made available to journalists on Monday, Saraki said the news of the Imam’s passing came to him with deep sadness and a strong sense of personal loss.
He noted that the late Chief Imam stood as a respected institution whose influence went beyond the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State. Saraki said the cleric’s more than 40 years on the mimbar positioned him as a moral guide and spiritual authority to many generations of Muslims.
Saraki further stated that Sheikh Salihu’s depth in Islamic scholarship and moral discipline reinforced Ilorin’s long-standing status as a centre of Islamic learning, jurisprudence and moderation.
“Ilorin, Kwara State and the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah have lost a rare gem, an accomplished scholar and a symbol of faith, moderation and service.
“The late Chief Imam served diligently as the spiritual head of Ilorin and as Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Alfas and Imams.
“Through his sermons and teachings, he consistently preached peace, discipline, unity and communal harmony,” Saraki said.
Speaking on his personal bond with the deceased, Saraki described their relationship as similar to that of a father and son.
“His prayers, counsel and moral guidance at critical moments in my public service remain unforgettable. My family benefited immensely from his wisdom and sincere supplications, just as my late father, Oloye (Dr) Abubakar Olusola Saraki, held him in the highest esteem,” he said.
Saraki urged the Ilorin Emirate and the wider Muslim Ummah to draw comfort from the lasting legacy of the late cleric, stressing that his life of devotion, scholarship and service would continue to guide future generations.
He also prayed that Allah forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, accept his years of service as acts of worship, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus and console his family, the Ilorin Emirate and the entire Muslim Ummah.
Sheikh Salihu, the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, was known for his sound knowledge of Islamic theology, humility and strong commitment to Muslim unity.
He spent over four decades on the pulpit, where he offered guidance and spiritual leadership to worshippers across different generations.
Aside from his duties as Chief Imam, he also served as Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Alfas and Imams. In that role, he played a significant part in promoting unity among Islamic scholars and strengthening interfaith relations in the state.
His death was announced on Monday. He passed away at a hospital in Abuja, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
