The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, on Saturday led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kwara State to condole with the government and people over the recent passing of two prominent Islamic leaders: the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu (who died on January 19, 2026), and the Chief Imam of Kaiama, Alhaji Umar Sabi Mohammed.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Malam Ismail Mudashir, the delegation first paid a courtesy visit to Kwara State Government House, where they were received by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
From there, they proceeded to the Emir’s Palace and the residence of the late Chief Imam of Ilorin to offer condolences to the bereaved families and the Islamic community.
The delegation included three serving governors—Malam Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe)—as well as two former governors, Alhaji Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Senator Adamu Aleiro (Kebbi). Also present was the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru Masari.
Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, conveyed the heartfelt condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the government, people, and Islamic community of Kwara State.
Praising the late Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, Barau described him as “a truthful and upright cleric whose life was devoted to the service of Allah and humanity.”
“He spent his lifetime propagating Islam and preaching harmony among the people of this country,” Barau said.
Governor AbdulRazaq expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the delegation for the visit and support during the period of mourning.
He acknowledged the late Sheikh as “a prominent member of the Islamic clergy in Nigeria, a renowned cleric who spent his lifetime propagating Islam and preaching harmony and peaceful coexistence amongst the people of this country.”
“May Allah SWT grant Sheikh Aljannatul Firdaus and give all those he left behind the fortitude to bear his passing,” the governor prayed.
The condolence visit reflects the high regard in which the deceased clerics were held across political and religious lines, as well as the federal government’s solidarity with Kwara State during a time of grief for the Muslim community.
