The remains of Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim (Gana V), who died on Sunday evening have been laid to rest after prayers led by Chief Mufasir (Head of Islamic scholars) of Lagos, Sheikh Tijani Gbajabiamila.
He was buried within the mosque’s premise shortly after the Zhur prayer amidst outpouring of eulogies and tributes even as the funeral programme was attended by a huge crowd of dignitaries, prominent Islamic scholars and members of the Lagos Community who thronged the densely populated Idumota in the heart of Lagos Island.
As a mark of honour for the deceased, most shops in the popular Idumota market were closed throughout Monday.
Sheikh Ibrahim passed away at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where he was receiving treatment for an old age- related ailment. He was 79 and survived by one wife and nine children.
The deceased who was a prominent Islamic cleric and preacher was installed as the 9th Chief Imam of Lagos in July 2000. He was also a member of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The late Chief Imam who attended the popular Morcas Islamic Institute Agege was also a retired civil servant who served in the old Nigerian Security, Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).
Some of the faces at the Janazal prayer were former Senator Adekunle Muse, prominent Industrialist, Chief Razak Okoye, retired Justice Ishola Olorunnibe, white cap chiefs of Lagos, National Missioner and Chief Imam of Ansarudeen, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad, famous Lagos based Islamic preacher, Sheikh Sulaiman Farouk Onikijipa, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abdulhafeez Abu, among others.
A member of the Lagos community, Alhaji Hakeem Fahm who is a US- based IT expert said the Chief Imam’s demise has created a vacuum too big to be filled, describing the deceased as a scholar who was versed in the knowledge of Qur’an.
He tasked the mosque committee to be meticulous in the selection of a new Chief Imam by ensuring that the next Chief Imam is person of impeccable characters and attributes with vast knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence.
Imam Ahmad said the deceased was a man of peace who tried to bring everybody together. "He was in the forefront of promoting religious harmony and peaceful coexistence. We would miss him."
He also prayed for Allah’s guidance for the committee that would select a new Imam.
"This is not just just an affair that concerns Lagos Central Mosque. It is something that concerns the whole of Lagos and the entire country and I pray May Allah guide those who would do the selection,” he said.
