The Chief Imam of Lagos, Haruna Akinola, is dead. The Muslim cleric passed away on Sunday after a brief illness.
Mr. Akinola died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, a source said.
Sheikh Haruba Akinola died on Sunday at the age of 79. He was inaugurated as the 9th Chief Imam of Lagos on July 30, 2000.
Reacting to his death, Former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a condolence message in Lagos, said Sheikh Akinola would be sorely missed because “he always put his deep knowledge and understanding of Islam at the disposal of many in Lagos.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of the Chief Imam of Lagos. But as Muslims, we must take every occurrence as the will of Allah.
”As the leading Islamic scholar in Lagos, Sheikh Akinola will be sorely missed not only by Muslim faithfuls but by the people of Lagos and South-west.
”Through his sermon and ‘Khutbat’, he drew attention to the various societal ills and suggested corrective steps.
“I will miss him personally. He brought calming words during our period of turmoil.