The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, on Saturday led a high-powered delegation of the Federal Government on a condolence visit to Kwara State following the recent passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, and the Chief Imam of Kaiama, Alhaji Umar Sabi Mohammed.

The delegation's first port of call was the Kwara State Government House, where they were received by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. From there, the members of the delegation proceeded to the Emir's Palace and the late Imam's residence to pay their respects.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the delegation included three serving governors: Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

Also on the delegation were two former governors, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Senator Adamu Aleiro of Kebbi State, as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru Masari.

In all the places visited, Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, spoke on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He condoled with the government and people of Kwara State and extolled the virtues of the two late Islamic scholars.

Speaking on the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, he said: "This is a delegation of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, sent to convey his condolences over the passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, who died on January 19, this year.

"Mr President recognises that the late Sheikh was a truthful and upright cleric whose life was devoted to the service of Allah and humanity. The Chief Imam was 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."

In his response, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq thanked President Tinubu and the members of the delegation for the condolence visit.