*Ambode, MSSN, others mourn
Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim Akinola, has passed away.
The Muslim cleric, aged 79 it was gathered, died on Sunday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), after a brief illness.
He is expected to be buried 3pm on Monday in accordance with Islamic rites, at the Lagos Central Mosque.
Late Akinola, a renowned Islamic scholar became the Chief Imam of Lagos at the age of 63. He attended the famour Morcas Arabic School from 1959 to 1961 and distinguished himself as a front line Islamic scholar and preacher.
He was also a civil servant serving in various capacities especially the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) where he retired after 32 years of meritorious service.
The governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, described the development as a great loss to the Muslim Community, the State and the country in general.
He said the late cleric would be sorely missed and remembered for his bold and courageous sermons which stood him out in the present-day Nigeria.
The governor said the late cleric was a great man of God who spoke truth to power not minding whose ox was gored, and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the State.
He said: “It is with deep sense of great loss but total submission to the will of God that I note the demise of the Chief Imam of our dear State, Alhaji Garuba Akinola. He was indeed a respected cleric who was always mindful of his integrity and used his sermons to engineer positive changes in the behaviour and character of his followers.
“He was a devout Muslim; humanist and bridge builder and would be remembered for his fairness, boldness and thought-provoking sermons.”
Ambode, while commiserating with the family of the late cleric, urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and contributed immensely to the peaceful coexistence in the State until his demise.
“On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos State, I like to specially commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased and the Muslim Community for this great irreparable loss,” the governor said.
Reacting to the cleric’s passing, the Amir of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), in Lagos State, Mallam Saheed Ashafa, described him as a worthy leader.
Ashafa urged other Islamic leaders to emulate the deceased, saying that his promotion of unity was outstanding.
“He was indeed an epitome of unity for the Nigerian Muslims and a worthy father for all. He would be remembered for keeping Muslims together in the state and beyond.
“Although, the vacuum he left behind may appear difficult to fill but his legacy while alive would create a source of guidance for the Muslim community. May Allah accept his as one of the righteous,” Ashafa said.
