By Newspointer News Desk
January 21, 2026
Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was thrown into mourning on Tuesday as thousands of Muslim faithful, Islamic scholars and dignitaries from within and outside the state converged on the city for the burial of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.
The respected Islamic cleric died on Monday at the age of 75.
The funeral prayer was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed, at the forecourt of the palace of the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR.
Speaking on the virtues of the late cleric, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described Sheikh Muhammad Bashir as an eminent global Islamic scholar of impeccable character and proven integrity. The governor was represented at the burial by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau.
According to the governor, the late Chief Imam was a role model whose life and teachings inspired generations of young Muslims towards Islamic scholarship, education and peaceful coexistence.
He added that the deceased was widely known for promoting harmony between Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as fostering unity among indigenes of the Ilorin Emirate and other residents of the state.
Governor AbdulRazaq prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Chief Imam and condoled with the Emir of Ilorin, the Council of Ulama, the family of the deceased, and the people of Ilorin and Kwara State over the loss.
