Emir Fixes Tuesday for Late Chief Iman of Ilorin’s Rights of Passage

Emir Fixes Tuesday for Late Chief Iman of Ilorin’s Rights of Passage

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has scheduled the funeral prayer for the late Chief Imam, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, for Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The ceremony will be held at the Emir’s Palace Square at 10:00 am. This official announcement follows the cleric’s passing and provides a central location for mourners to gather.

The burial was moved to Tuesday due to the late arrival of the Imam’s remains from Abuja, where he died Monday morning at age 75.

He had been receiving medical treatment in the capital prior to his death. The Emir has invited the public to attend the rites and pray for the soul of the deceased scholar.

Shaykh Solih was a historic figure, serving as the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin for 42 years.

Appointed in 1983 at just 33 years old, he became the youngest and longest-serving Imam in the emirate’s history. An OON recipient, he also chaired the Kwara State Council of Ulama, leaving a massive impact on the region’s religious leadership.

Describing the death as a “colossal loss,” the Emir praised the late Imam for his deep Islamic knowledge and moral integrity. He was celebrated for his dedication to peace, unity, and inter-religious harmony throughout his long tenure.

His legacy of spiritual guidance remains a significant part of the community’s history.