President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condoled with the Muslim Ummah over the death of the highly revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, at the age of 84.
The president said the cerebral scholar lived to serve the Almighty Allah and humanity with his unusual insight into the Holy Qur’an, depth of wisdom and the gift of interpretation, which provided peace, comfort, and guidance for many.
The president said he believed that Sheikh Bello’s discovery of divine purpose at an early age and commitment to long hours of prayers, studying and meditation shaped his message and the destiny of many Muslims within and outside the country.
He acknowledged the Islamic cleric’s unwavering position on charity, peace and civil order, frequently counselling leaders on the importance of trust, honesty, and fairness as cornerstones for good governance.
He prayed that Almighty Allah would receive the soul of the departed cleric and comfort his family, urging an approximation of his legacies during his sojourn on earth.
Also, Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the renowned Muslim scholar and preacher.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the death of Sheikh Bello as a “great loss” to the country, particularly the Muslim community.
In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor said the late Sheikh Bello left an indelible mark on the Muslim community and his followers across the world, and he would be sorely missed.
The statement read, “Sheikh Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello lived a fulfilled life. He dedicated his life to the service of the people and the propagation of Islam. His death is a great loss, but we are consoled by the good life that he lived and the legacy that he left behind.
“On behalf of my family, the people and the Government of Lagos state, I commiserate with the immediate family, friends, associates and the entire Muslim community over the passing of elder statesman and Islamic scholar, Sheikh Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello, who passed away at the age of 84 years
“The late Sheikh Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello would be remembered for his great sacrifice and commitment to the propagation of Islam, honesty, dignity, harmony and moral development of our people.
“I pray that Allah grants the repose of the late Sheikh Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello Aljannah Firdaus and grants the deceased family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.
Peep into history
According to a media report by Oyo Insight in 2018 to mark the late Islamic scholar’s birthday, the agency noted that he became a public speaker from the age of 10, Alhaji Bello’s passion for learning began early.
At nine, he requested to live with his uncle, an Islamic scholar in Ibadan, to deepen his understanding of the Quran.
Though from Ibadan, he had always lived with his father a scholar who taught him the Holy Quran at Agbegilere, a farm settlement in Iwo, Osun State.
Relocating to live with his uncle, according to him in the interview, marked the start of his journey into scholarship, eventually making him one of Nigeria’s most prominent Islamic clerics.
Unlike many clerics of his time, Bello embraced formal education, earning a National Certificate of Education (NCE) and working briefly in electronics, a trade he learned from his brother.
He believed education was vital, stating, “Even at that time, I knew I would one day become an Islamic cleric. But I also wanted to make sure that I have a job that would put food on my table”.
Renowned for his fearless sermons, Alhaji Bello was uncompromising in his commitment to truth.
“From my childhood, I was noted for saying the truth no matter whose ox is gored”, he once said.
“It is with utmost truth that we should speak God’s words every day. That is the way I approach my sermons whenever I speak to the people”.
