Mourners thronged the palace of the Emir of Ilorin on Monday to pay their last respects to the late Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Bashir Solihu, who passed away at the age of 75.
Sheikh Solihu, the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, served the community for over four decades and was widely recognized for his wisdom, intelligence, and commitment to fostering interfaith harmony and tolerance.
He was appointed Chief Imam in 1983 and became a symbol of peace and unity within the Ilorin Emirate.
The Janazah prayer took place at the Emir’s palace and was attended by prominent Nigerians, including the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The Emir described Sheikh Solihu as a man of great piety and honour, whose passing represents a significant loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the Muslim community, and society at large.
Born in 1950, Sheikh Solihu began his Quranic education at Magaji Baboko Quranic School before continuing at Shaykh Abubakar Sakama School.
He received numerous accolades during his lifetime, including an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Belaze University in the United Kingdom in 2013.
His funeral drew massive crowds, reflecting the high regard in which he was held and the enduring legacy of his leadership and service to the community.
