Hundreds of Islamic Scholars Bid Farewell to Late Chief Imam Aladesawe in Owo
By Mariam Obabire
Hundreds of Islamic clerics, scholars, and dignitaries gathered in Owo, Ondo State, to pay their final respects to the late Chief Imam of Owo and Chairman of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ondo State, Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe, who was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
The solemn rites were led by the Deputy Chief Imam of Owo, Alhaji AbdurRauf Iwalesin, and supervised by the Grand Imam of Akure, Shaykh Abdulhakeem Yayi Akorede.
Islamic faithful from across the South-West region of Nigeria were present to honour the revered cleric.
Shaykh Jamihu Kewulere, President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in South-West Nigeria and Chief Imam of Ado-Ekiti, described the late Aladesawe as a “rallying point” for Muslim leaders in the region.
“His death is a huge loss. He was a unifying figure and a pillar of Islamic leadership in Yorubaland,” he said.
Also in attendance were representatives of prominent Islamic leaders including Shaykh Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory, the Chief Imam of Ibadan, and the Chief Imam of Osogbo, who all offered heartfelt prayers and eulogies. They implored Allah to forgive the late cleric’s shortcomings and grant him eternal peace.
Delivering a special lecture at the funeral, the Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Shaykh Sirajudeen Al-Batuta, urged the faithful to uphold the values and legacy left behind by Shaykh Aladesawe. “He was bold, courageous, and a true bridge-builder. His life was a model of unity and integrity,” he remarked.
The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olayide Adelami, led a state delegation to the ceremony, which also drew Islamic leaders and scholars from neighbouring states.
In a rare gesture of interfaith solidarity, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) sent a delegation to pay its respects to the late Imam, reflecting the peaceful coexistence that the late Aladesawe had long championed.l
Ahaji Ahmad Aladesawe is remembered not only for his religious leadership but also for his efforts in fostering unity among diverse communities in Ondo State and beyond.
