By Correspondent in Minna
Niger State has lost its first Grand Khadi and a foremost Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullahi Lemu.
The Reporters gathered that Sheikh Lemu died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday in Minna, Niger state capital,at 91.
Late Sheikh Lemu
During his lifetime, the deceased authored many Islamic books and literature for the benefit of humanity and was King Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz Award Winner in recognition of his contribution for the promotion of peaceful co-existence among the people of different faiths and backgrounds in the state.
Meanwhie, Niger State Government has expressed shock over the demise of Lemu, describing him as a promoter of peace and bridge builder who was instrumental to the peaceful coexistence amongst the diverse ethnic nationaities in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, in a statement, said the state was shocked and saddened over the death of the eminent Islamic Scholar who was also and the National President of the Islamic Education Trust.
The contributions of the deceased as a renowned Islamic Scholar of high repute, according to the SSG, earned him respect on issues of religion and for being a proponent of peaceful co-existence among the people, ensuring national integration and as well as human rights.
“The commitments of late Sheik Ahmed Lemu in the propagation of Islam across Nigeria and beyond earned him the award of King Faisal International Prize in Service to Islam in 2014 by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Niger State, I express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of late Sheik Lemu, National President Islamic Education Trust and former Grand Khadi,”he said.
The SSG, who prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late legal luminary and comfort those he left behind to mourn him, said Sheikh Lemu would be remembered for his good works to humanity.