By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Niger State has lost its first Grand Khadi and a foremost Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullahi Lemu.
Lemu died in the early hours of Thursday in Minna, Niger State capital, aged 91 years.
During his lifetime, the late Sheikh Ahmad Abdullahi Lemu authored many Islamic books and literatures for the benefits of humanity.
The Islamic cleric was also a King Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz Award Winner. He won the award in recognition for his contribution for the promotion of peaceful co-existence among the people of different faiths and backgrounds in Niger State.
Meanwhie, Niger State government has expressed shock over the demise of the state’s first Grand Khadi, Sheikh Lemu, describing him as a promoter of peace and bridge builder instrumental to the peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic nationaities in the state.
Statement from the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said that the state was shocked and sadned over the death of the eminent Islamic scholar, Sheik Ahmed Lemu, OFR, the National President of the Islamic Education Trust.
The contributions of the deceased as a renowned Islamic scholar, according to the statement, earned him respect on religion, proponent of peaceful co-existence among the people, national integration and as well, 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 for the year 2014 by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“On behalf of the government and people of Niger State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of late Sheik Lemu, National President Islamic Education Trust and former Grand Khadi”.
While praying that the Almighty Allah (SWT) would forgive the shortcomings of the late legal luminary and comfort those he left behind to mourn him, the SSG said Sheikh Lemu would be remembered for his good works to humanity.