Date: 2018-02-18

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed; Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad; State Chief Judge, Justice Sulyman Durosinlohun Kawu; former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Issa Ayo Salami; retired Grand Kadi of Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Solihu Olohuntoyin Muhammad and a retired senior police officer, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia, were among eminent Nigerians, who converged on Ilorin yesterday for the Fidau of late former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Saka Yusuf.

Yusuf, who was a one-time President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), died on Monday and had since been interred according to Islamic injunctions.

Yesterday was the Fidau for him, which was also graced by former Minister of National Planning, Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman; former Commissioner for Special Duties in the state, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha; Chief Executive Officer of Sobi FM, Mr Lukman Mustapha; and legal luminaries including Mallam Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali (SAN) and Mallam Kehinde Eleja (SAN).

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Ilorin, Alhaji Baba Yusuf Abdulwahab, stood in for Governor Ahmed at the prayer session led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Solihu.

A renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheik Suleiman Dan-Borno, in his sermon, reminded the attendees of the inevitability of death.

He urged them to always fear Almighty Allah in their undertakings and be conscious of the fact that whatever they do on the planet earth would be accounted for in the hereafter.

The cleric enjoined them to eschew devilish acts and tread on the path that could draw them closer to their creator.

Dan-Borno also challenged members of the elite class of the society to emulate and sustain the legacies of late Justice Yusuf, who he added, was an embodiment of quality virtues.

Leading other clerics, the Chief Imam of Ilorin beseeched Almighty to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Al-Janat Firdaus.

Speaking to Journalists at the event, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, described Justice Yusuf as an iconic figure, a community leader, a true son of the Ilorin Emirate and a jurist per excellence.

Ahmad said the late jurist left his mark wherever he found himself, especially in the judiciary, pointing out that his good personality attracted hordes of prayers poured for the repose of his soul.

He said the entire people of the Emirate would sorely miss him but they would be comforted with the legacies he left behind.

The representative of Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Baba Yusuf Abdulwahab, said late Justice Yusuf was a great man, who lived a very good life.

He noted that the deceased was a great jurist and would be missed by those in the temple of justice.

Also speaking, the retired senior police officer, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia, said the death of Justice Yusuf was a colossal loss to all Kwarans.

He explained that the late jurist used his position for the betterment of the state and served Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) meritoriously.

Ajia said the memories of the late jurist would linger on because of his great contributions to the state and prayed Almighty Allah grant him Al-Janat Firdaus.