PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF THE CHIEF IMAM OF LAGOS STATE, LATE SHEIKH GARUBA IBRAHIM AKINOLA

It is with a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that I received the news of the passage of the Chief Imam of Lagos State, late Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim Akinola who passed away on Sunday, the 24th of September, 2017 at the age of 79.

The Late Sheikh was a good man who lived an exemplary life in service of Almighty Allah and our dear Lagos State. He was not only a religious leader but also a spiritual father and role model to many Nigerians. His courageous sermons which revealed an in-depth knowledge of Islam would remain a lasting legacy for generations to come.

I enjoyed the benefit of having a relationship with him since the period I served at the Lands bureau Lagos State where his constant prayers and wise counsel until the time of his death remained a source of support and encouragement to me.

Considering the positive impact he has made in many lives, I am confident to state that his death is not just a loss to the people of Lagos State but to the Muslim Umah as a whole and as such he would be dearly missed.

While my heart and prayers remain with his family members at this time of grief, it is my prayer that Almighty Allah grant the gentle soul Aljannah Firdaus. Amin.