Tears flowed freely on Tuesday as thousands of Muslim faithful gathered at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace for the final burial of the Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.
The solemn funeral prayer (Janazah) began at 10:00 a.m., led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed. The palace forecourt was filled to capacity, with security personnel managing the massive crowd that had come to pay their last respects to the revered Islamic scholar.
The event drew prominent figures from political, religious, and social spheres, including former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former PDP National Secretary Alhaji Kawu Baraje, former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Professor Ali Ahmad, former Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency Engineer Bolakale Kawu, and the Kwara State Governor’s representative, Saadu Salaudeen.
Notable Islamic scholars and traditional rulers also attended, including Balogun Alanamu, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos, Chief Imam of Offa Sheikh Muhyidin Salman Hussein Al-Imam, Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin Sheikh Mujtabah Yusuf Bature, Chief of Ogbomoso Alhaji Dr. Imam Yunus Teliat Olushina Ayilara II, and Grand Mufti of Ilorin Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa, among others.
Sheikh Soliu passed away on Monday at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of Islamic scholarship, leadership, and service to the Ilorin Emirate and the broader Muslim community.
Following the Janazah, his body was conveyed to his residence in Egbejila, which also houses his Arabic school, where thousands gathered for the final rites and prayers. At the graveside, clerics offered heartfelt supplications for the forgiveness of his soul and entry into Al-Jannah Firdaus, as mourners wept openly, remembering him as a spiritual father, teacher, and moral compass.
Sheikh Soliu is remembered for his humility, deep knowledge of Islam, and unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and religious guidance in Kwara State and beyond.
As part of post-burial rites, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, announced that the Fidau prayer for the late Chief Imam will hold on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ilorin Central Mosque. The prayer will be led by Imam Imale Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhamid, alongside other clerics from within and outside the Emirate.
In a statement, the Emir urged Muslims across the region to intensify prayers for the departed Imam Agba of Ilorin, asking Allah to grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has advised the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, to avoid a direct confrontation with the Oyo State Government over the proposed rotational chairmanship of the state’s Council of Obas.
Oba Akinyemi warned that open defiance of the government’s decision could attract serious consequences, noting that state governments possess the constitutional powers to install or depose traditional rulers in cases of insubordination or disobedience.
According to the monarch, the governor’s decision is not unusual, as similar rotational arrangements are practiced in other states across the country. He added that the situation could have been handled differently, stressing that the Alaafin should not have publicly challenged the policy, particularly as he was not consulted before its announcement.
Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo has denied claims that he met with Governor Seyi Makinde or endorsed the rotational chairmanship. He maintained that his opposition to the move had already been formally communicated to the governor through a memo submitted by the Oyo Council of Elders.
The controversy has continued to spark reactions, with groups such as the Oyo Scholars Congress and the Oyo Global Forum throwing their weight behind the Alaafin. The groups argue that the rotational system distorts Yoruba history and undermines the traditional status and authority of the Alaafin of Oyo.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has strongly cautioned against negotiating with bandits and terrorists, describing such efforts as deceptive and counterproductive.
According to him, criminal groups do not honour agreements and often use negotiations as a tactic to buy time before launching fresh attacks. He cited past incidents, including in Katsina State, as examples where dialogue failed despite repeated warnings.
“These people do not understand negotiation. It is nothing but deception. When they come to negotiate, they are only seeking an advantage, and once it is granted, they turn around and attack again,” he said.
The Defence Minister urged both the public and government authorities to discontinue any form of engagement with bandits and terrorists, insisting that such groups have no regard for truth or accountability.
“They never keep their word. They lie, do not fear God, and will always return after negotiations,” Musa added.