The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), has described the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Saliu (OON), as a significant loss to the university’s host community and humanity at large.

The respected Islamic cleric died on Monday after a brief illness at the age of 76.

In a statement issued by the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, Prof. Egbewole said the management, staff and students received the news with shock and deep sadness.

He described the late Chief Imam as a close friend of the university, noting that the institution benefited greatly from his consistent messages of peace, particularly through his weekly Friday sermons.

The Vice-Chancellor commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the Ilorin Emirate over the loss of what he described as an outstanding and long-serving spiritual leader.

Prof. Egbewole, who also chairs the Consortium of Kwara Universities (KU8+), extended his condolences to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on the passing of a distinguished son of the state.

He further sympathised with the immediate family, friends and colleagues of the late cleric, urging them to find comfort in the exemplary life he lived.

The Vice-Chancellor prayed that Allah forgives the shortcomings of the deceased and rewards his good deeds with Al-Jannah Firdaus.