The governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and Bola Tinubu have expressed sadness over the sudden death of the Chief Imam in the state.
Sheikh Ibrahim Garuba Akinola
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; the state House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday expressed grief over the death of the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Ibrahim Garuba Akinola.
According to Punch Metro, Akinola died on Sunday in Lagos at the age of 79. Ambode, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described Akinola’s death as a great loss to the Muslim community, the state and the country in general.
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.”
Tinubu said Ibrahim would be sorely missed as he always put his deep knowledge and understanding of Islam at the disposal of his followers.
In a statement issued by Tinubu Media Office, the APC leader said, “I am deeply saddened by the death of the Chief Imam of Lagos. But as Muslims, we must take every occurrence as the will of Allah.
“As the leading Islamic scholar in Lagos, Sheikh Ibrahim will be sorely missed not only by Muslim faithful but by the people of Lagos and South-West.
“Sheikh Ibrahim always put his deep knowledge and understanding of Islam at the disposal of many. Through his sermon and ‘Khutbat,’ he drew attention to the various societal ills and suggested corrective steps. I will miss him personally. He brought calming words during our period of turmoil.”
Obasa described the late Chief Imam as an honest cleric, who stood for the truth in his entire life, adding that the state had taken solace in the fact that Ibrahim dedicated his life to serve Allah and humanity.
The Speaker said, “He was an unbiased man of God who stood for the truth all his entire life and the nation in general and Lagos State in particular will surely miss him.”