Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has described the death of the foremost Islamic cleric, the late Sheik Muyideen Ajani Bello, as a rude shock, saying the Yoruba race and the Muslim community has lost a true son, an advocate of truth and justice.
Iba Gani Adams’ reaction was contained in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, as the news of the late Bello filtered in across the media on Friday.
Iba Adams, while commiserating with the Muslim community said it is unfortunate that Yoruba has lost an illustrious son, an Islamic scholar par-excellence, whose life was a true testimony of Allah’s divine blessing for humanity.
He said: “I received the news of the death of the foremost Islamic scholar and cleric, the late Sheik Muyideen Ajani Bello with rude shock.
“Baba’s death was so unexpected, especially, at this time when a few people are ready to speak truth to power. We will always miss his resilience, courage and above all his fear of God.
“The late Alhaji Bello was very blunt with his teachings and lectures. That was what made him the model and father figure to many who saw and looked up to him as one of the Khalifa of God.
“His voice was like a razor to those who detest the truth and for more than seven decades, he remained his true self pious and dedicated to the teachings of Allah as it is in the holy Quran.
“He was widely respected for his profound teachings and unwavering dedication to Islamic scholarship. The late Sheik remained one of the few clerics who would see the truth, say the truth, and be ready to dare the consequences of his actions, without minding whose ox is gored.
“Though we lost Baba Muyideen Ajani Bello at this critical time, I believe strongly that his memories will surely live on in our minds. As the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, I join the entire Muslim community as we mourn the passage of one of the most revered Islamic scholars.
“I condole with the Oyo state government, the immediate family of the revered scholar, and the good people of Ibadan, Oyo state, on the death of the late scholar.
“I pray Allah to grant his soul eternal rest in Aljana Firdaus. The late Sheik Muyideen Bello, 84, was born in 1940. He will be remembered for his bluntness, religious tenacity, and consistency.”
