A renowned Islamic scholar, Dr. Sheik Ahmed Lemu, is dead.
Lemu’s son, Nurudeen, confirmed the passing of his father.
He died in the early hours of Thursday (today) at the age of 91.
The National President of Islamic Education Trust, who preached peace and unity, died in Minna.
Confirming his death, Nurudeen said: “It is with sadness and reverence to Allah that we announce the passing away of our father, Dr. Justice Sheikh Ahmed Lemu, OFR, in the early hours of this morning in Minna.
“Burial arrangements to be announced later.”
The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, described the late Lemu as a bridge-builder who reached across ethnic and religious divides to promote peace and unity.
The SSG stressed that the contributions of the deceased as a renowned Islamic Scholar of high repute have earned him respect on issues of religion, stands him out as a proponent of peaceful co-existence among the people, national integration and human rights.
According to him, the commitment of late Sheik Lemu to the propagation of Islam in the country 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.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Niger State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of late Sheik Ahmed Lemu, National President Islamic Education Trust and former Grand Khadi.”
Matane prayed that the Almighty Allah (SWT) would forgive the shortcomings of the departed, remember his good works, grant his soul eternal rest as well as give his family the much-needed strength and comfort to bear the loss.