Chief Imam Of Ilorin’s Death Sparks Outpouring Of Tributes

Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, died on Monday at the age of 75.

 He had served as Ilorin Emirate’s highest religious authority for more than four decades..

The late Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu was also until his death on Monday,  the Chairman of Kwara State Council of Ulamas.

The late Islamic scholar, who was the 12th Chief Imam of  Ilorin Emirate, died in Abuja after a short illness.

He was turbanned as Chief Imam of Ilorin on Saturday, October 15, 1983, and served under three emirs; Alhaji Zulukarnaini Gambari (1959-1992) , Alhaji Alliyu bin Abdul-Kadir (1992-1995) and the current monarch,  Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

He received Honorary Doctorate Degree from Belaze University, UK in 2013, and the National Honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger in 2012.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who led tributes to the late Islamic scholar on Monday, called him a bridge-builder.

 The president in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Bayo Onanuga expressed sadness over the passing of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu while extending his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Imam, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate Council, and the Muslim Ummah in Kwara State over the profound loss.

‘Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu was a devoted servant of Allah, a bridge-builder, and a voice of moderation whose wisdom, humility, and commitment to unity endeared him to people of all backgrounds.

The Muslim Umma will never forget the Sheikh’s invaluable contributions to religious harmony, community development, and the nurturing of future generations through learning and exemplary leadership.

I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) will grant the departed Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort his family and followers at this time of grief’ the statement added.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in a statement issued to mourn the passing of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu which was made available to Team@orientactualmags.com  by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye noted that the late Islamic scholar represented the finest breed of Muslim scholarship in the history of Ilorin.

‘I am saddened by the unfortunate death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih (OON). 

The Chief Imam died on Monday morning in Abuja as Allaah has unquestionably decreed for His servants. He was 75 years old. 

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 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’ the governor said.

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki also submitted on Monday that he received the news of the passing of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Salihu with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss.

Dr Abubakar Saraki, in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com  by his Press Officer on Local Matters,  Mr 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. 

‘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, guiding generations with wisdom, clarity, and uncommon humility. 

From the pulpit, his sonorous voice consistently called the faithful to righteousness, peace, discipline, and communal harmony. His sermons and teachings further strengthened Ilorin’s historic reputation as a bastion of Islamic theology, jurisprudence, moderation, and intellectual excellence.

A worthy heir to a noble lineage of Islamic scholarship, Sheikh (Dr.) Muhammad Bashir Salihu embodied the finest values of Ilorin’s spiritual heritage. His life reflected piety, loyalty, diligence, and a deep respect for knowledge.

Beyond his role as Chief Imam, he was a teacher, mentor, and a father-figure to many, shaping minds and character through learning and exemplary conduct. His leadership fostered unity within the Ilorin Emirate and strengthened the harmonious relationship between the Emirate Council and the Islamic community’ the statement quoted Dr Saraki as saying.

Hon Razak Atunwa, a former member of the House of Representatives and a one-time Speaker of Kwara State house of Assembly, has also offered his condolences calling the late Chief Imam a firm Islamic leader.

‘I commiserate with His Royal Highness, Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, The Ilorin Emirate and the entire family of the late Chief Imam of Ilorin, on the demise of Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Salihu Fulani (OON), Chief Imam of Ilorin.

He was a firm Islamic leader and an advocate of peace and unity. May Allah grant him Al jannatul fridaus and forgive his shortcomings. Amin’ he submitted

The leadership of a civic advocacy and development group , One-Kwara Agenda has also extend their deepest condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, His Eminence, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the family of the late Chief Imam, the Muslim Ummah, the entire Ilorin Emirate and the good people of Kwara State on the painful passing of Sheikh Mohammad Bashir Soliu.

‘Imam Bashir was a revered spiritual leader, a moral compass and a bridge of peace whose life was devoted to service to Allah, humanity and the promotion of harmony within and beyond Kwara State. 

His Knowledge, wisdom, humility, commitment to faith and community development left an indelible mark on generations.

Today, Nigeria has lost a distinguished cleric and statesman of faith, Ilorin has lost a father and the Muslim ummah has lost a guiding light. While we mourn this great loss, we take solace in the exemplary life he lived and the enduring legacy of righteousness, unity and compassion he bequeathed.

We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives his shortcomings, grants him Al-Jannatul Firdaus and gives his family, the Ilorin Emirate and all Kwarans the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss’ the statement added.

The Chief Imam of Agbamu, Irepodun Local Government,  Kwara State, Alhaji Muhammad Dauda Lawal and the entire Agbamu Muslim community have also condoled the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari , the Soliu Family and the Ilorin Emirate over the death of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.

‘We received the news of the  death of our beloved Imam with shock and surprise. The late Sheikh and erudite Islamic scholar had always been in contact with the Agbamu Muslim Community in respect of prayers and fatherly counselling.

 He was always extending his hands of assistance to Muslim communities beyond his immediate domain, the Ilorin Emirate. Late Imam Soliu was  humble, friendly and ready to address injustice. 

  All human beings will surely die, therefore ,we pray that Almighty Allah will grant him Alijanah Firdausi and give his family, Emir of Ilorin, and the entire Muslim Community in Kwara State the fortitude to bear this great loss.

We pray that Almighty Allah will give the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari the fortitude to bear this great loss  and grant our Emir long life with good health Insha Allah’ the statement added. 

Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, who represents Kwara North in the senate, has also expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu describing his death as a monumental loss to the Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State, and the entire Muslim Ummah in the country.

The  senator also extended his heartfelt sympathies to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Mai martaba, the Emir of Ilorin, His Eminence, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate Council, the family of the late Chief Imam, and Muslim faithful across the state on the death of the revered Islamic cleric.

The federal  lawmaker in a statement issued by his media office noted that Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu, who was the Chief Imam of Ilorin for over four decades, was a pillar of spiritual guidance, moral discipline, and peaceful coexistence describing  the late cleric as a rare leader whose life was devoted to service to Allah and humanity, leaving behind an enduring legacy of scholarship, humility, and unity.

Senator Sadiq added that the late Chief Imam’s wise counsel and prayers for leaders and the nation at large would be dearly missed.

He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) who forgives the shortcomings of the departed, will grant  him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and give the Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State, and the entire Muslim Ummah the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Former Chief of Staff, Government House, Ilorin, Alhaji Ladi Hassan has also mourned the passing of Sheikh Imam Bashir Soliu noting that he has left for the great beyond after a blessed life that was devoted to knowledge, and service to Islam and Muslims.

He offered his condolences to the Soliu family, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari , and the entire sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate over the passing of the Islamic cleric.

He also noted that as an Islamic cleric, the late Sheikh Bashir Soliu called people to Islam with wisdom, good exhortation, and the best manner of dialogue.

Alhaji Ladi Hassan prayed that God will grant the late Chief Imam al- janah firdaus.

The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, has also described the death of Sheikh  Muhammad Bashir Soliu as a great loss to the entire Muslim community. 

Dr Saeedat Aliyu,  who is the Ag. Director,  University Relations, in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that Professor Jimoh also described the late Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu as a  respected Islamic cleric who devoted his life to promotion of Islamic knowledge and also showed commitment to service to his community.

The Vice-Chancellor commiserated with  Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq ;  Mai martaba, the Emir of Ilorin,  Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari ; the Council of Ulamahs,  the entire Ilorin and Muslim Community while praying that Allah will grant the soul of the late Chief Imam Aljanah Firdaus and comfort the immediate family and entire Muslim community.

Founder of ENACT, who is a member of the Board of TETFUND where he represents the North Central geopolitical zone, Engineer Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun has expressed deep grief over the death of  Shaykh  Muhammad Bashir Soliu describing this as a painful loss to the Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and the entire Muslim community.

Engineer Nurudeen Adeyemi in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by his media office noted that the passing of the Chief Imam marked the end of a remarkable chapter in religious leadership, adding that the late Sheikh Soliu was widely admired for his consistent advocacy for peace, tolerance and community cohesion.

He described the late Sheikh Soliu as a moral voice whose sermons promoted unity, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence — values that are crucial in today’s society.

The ENACT Principal offered his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate and all the residents of the ancient city while praying for divine comfort and strength for the community at this period of mourning.

He also sympathized with the Kwara State Government and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on the  death of the revered religious leader whose influence went far beyond the pulpit.

Engineer Adeyemi further condoled with members of the immediate family, close associates and followers of the late Chief Imam, urging them to take solace in his exemplary life of humility, service and devotion to faith.

He prayed that Almighty Allah will forgive the shortcomings of the departed cleric and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, noting that his enduring legacy will continue to inspire generations-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you