Traders at the popular Agaka spare parts market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, closed their shops for several hours on Wednesday in honor of the late foremost Muslim leader, Alhaji Yahaya Olayiwola Ajia, for his noble contributions to society, as reported by the Nigerian Tribune.

Speaking at the eight-day fidau prayers organized by the Kuranga-Ajia family and leaders of traders’ unions in the market for the repose of the soul of the community leader, well-wishers, including family members and market leaders, described Alhaji Ajia as a pillar of peace in the community.

Sulaiman Ahmed, Chairman of the trade union for Agaka/Baboko/Adabata motor spare parts dealers and other accessories (Yoruba section), described him as a patron and father figure to people of different tribes in the market.

“We take all disputes in the market to him for amicable resolution and he did that to our admiration till he left this sinful world. He was ever ready to serve as a man of peace. He abhors violence and he’s well respected among old and the young ones among us. He’ll be well missed. If not for the economic situation in the country, if we close shops for the whole day, it won’t be too much of an honour for him”, he said.

Also speaking, chairman, traders’ union for Agaka/Baboko/Adabata motor spare parts dealers and other accessories (Igbo section), Mr. Sunday Okoroji, said that Alhaji Ajia stood for unity, adding that the Igbo traders even honoured him with a minute silence when his death was announced during their meeting.

“That particular day, everywhere was cold. We closed early that day because of his noble contributions among us, irrespective of tribe or religion. He encouraged unity and progress among us all. As you can see, the market is closed down purposely because of him. If it’s not because of his goodness, kindness and love to all, everyone would have opened shops and go about as nothing happened. We missed his fatherly pieces of advice and he was always discouraging any form of misunderstanding among us. He’s gone and we can’t query God”.

Alhaja Latifah Ajanaku, who is Iyaloja at Agaka market, described Alhaji Ajia as a person loved by all, saying that he encouraged progress, unity and love among traders in the market.

One of the sons of the late community leader, Dr. Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia, associate professor of Business Administration and director, MBA programme of Lincoln University of Missouri, USA, who described the honour done to his late father by the people as soldier’s farewell, thanked the traders and well wishers for the show of love.

Dr. Ajia promised to continue legacy left behind by the community leader and to support the traders, saying he lived his life to serve his family, Agaka community and Ilorin.

During the fidau prayers led by Chief Imam of Ita Ajia Sakasaka community, Alhaji Mohammadu Jamiu, the cleric admonished people to always strive to encourage peaceful and harmonious relationship wherever they find themselves.