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Rain of eulogies at Fidau for Imam Ibrahim

By Shakirah Adunola
06 October 2017   |   3:01 am
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, former Federal Commissioner for Works Alhaji Femi Okunnu and other notable Nigerians....

Sheik Garba Akinola Ibrahim.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, former Federal Commissioner for Works Alhaji Femi Okunnu and other notable Nigerians eulogised the late Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheik Garba Akinola Ibrahim.

At the Fidau (prayer for the deceased) held at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos, Ambode called on the Muslim community in the state to keep the memory of the late Chief Imam alive by upholding his legacies especially on inter religious and ethnic harmony in the state.

The governor, who noted that the best honour the Muslim community in the state can do to immortalise the late Chief Imam is to ensure that they uphold his known legacies which according to the governor included, faithfulness, hard work, religious tolerance, fear of God, love for one’s country, state and community and belief in mutual and peaceful co-existence among people irrespective of their religions or tribes

Represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, the governor noted that the late Chief Imam was the best example of a detribalised and peace loving Nigerian, adding that the deceased contributed in no small way to the religious harmony and inter-ethnic peace achieved by his administration.

While reassuring the Muslim community that his administration would not relent in promoting peaceful relationship among people of different tribes and religions in the state, the governor urged the executive council of the Lagos Central Mosque where the late Sheikh Ibrahim was holding forth before his demise to remain committed to the principles of love, unity and religious harmony.

The governor said: “You should not to allow the death of the Chief Imam to bring disharmony to the community. You should continue to live together in peace irrespective of your religion or tribe; we should emulate all those virtues of the late Chief Imam and his strict adherence to the doctrines of Islam, which clearly showed that Islam is a religion of peace. The state government will continue to miss him for the noble role he had played to promote inter-religious harmony in our state. The late Sheikh Ibrahim was a detribalised Nigerian who used his vast knowledge of his religion to promote peace and unity’’ Ambode stated

NSCIA President-General Alhaji Abubakar described the late Chief Imam as a bridge builder and champion of peaceful coexistence.Sultan, whose message was delivered by his Deputy and President, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola, said the late Chief Imam was a selfless public servant, astute administrator and a trustworthy leader.

According to Sultan, the late Imam stood for unity between the Ummah and promoted religious harmony in the country.He commiserated with the Lagos state Muslim community over the Imam’s demise, urging them to continue to propagate his ideals.

Alhaji Okunnu, who is Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN) National President, said the late Chief Imam’s sermons on have had positive impact on Lagosians.

He described Sheikh Ibrahim as “a simple man, a personable figure, a wise counsellor, a warm-hearted person and an approachable leader. I found him dedicated to the cause of Islam and humanity.”

ADSN Chief Missioner Sheikh AbdurRahaman Ahmad admonished Nigerians to face the reality of the purpose of creation and not get carried away by the material things, noting that ‘”death is inevitable and life should always be lived with the fear of God.’’

Sheikh Habeebullahi Adam of Markaz urged people to always be conscious of the life after death as according to him every living soul would give accounts of his/ her deeds on the day of judgement where material things like gold, houses, cars and love for power will be of no help.

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