Members of the Ilorin community were thrown into mourning yesterday as the remains of a retired Professor of Educational Psychology, Shehu Ahmed Jimoh were interred amidst wailings and mournful countenances.

He died on Monday night some metres away while driving to his Akure road residence, Adewole Estate Ilorin. He was aged 70.

The late don was buried around 2:45pm in his compound in line with Islamic injunction.

Leading janazat prayer, attended by senior members from the Ilorin Emirate, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheik Mohammed Bashir Solihu, prayed to Almighty Allah to grant him Al-Janat firdaous.

He said the deceased left behind a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the interment, Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold, who led the state government delegation, described the deceased as very humble, religious and concerned about his people, saying that he would be missed greatly.

He prayed to God to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the loss.

Similarly, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Bayo Lawal, who led a delegation from the University of Ilorin, said the death of Professor Shehu Jimoh was a great loss.

He said, "The demise of Professor Shehu Jimoh who was my former teacher is indeed a great loss to the academia, in particular the intellectual community of the University of Ilorin".

He urged the family of the deceased to continue with the good tradition established by the late don.

Also speaking, former Editor of the defunct Concord Newspapers, Alhaji Liadi Tella, described the death as very shocking and unexpected, just as he added that it was a blow to the muslim community in the country.

His words, "The death was very shocking, unexpected and a blow to the Muslim Ummah, not only in Kwara, but throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"He was an amiable person, caring, islamic to the core, bold and always very passionate about peace, harmony, concord, behaviour and accommodating of all people,'not minding your state or origin or your religion. He was a great scholar, high repute of International standard".

In his comment, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Ilorin Chapter, Dr Abdulrasheed Abiodun Adeoye, also described the late don as a professor with midas touch.

The ASUU boss said Jimoh's death was sad and a great loss to humanity and Islamic community in particular, adding that his contribution to knowledge was indescribable, particularly in the making of Nigeria educational system.

Also speaking, the National President, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, Alhaji AbdulHameed Adi, said the demise of Shehu Jimoh was painful, pointing out that his personality was intimidating.

Jimoh, until his death, was the Chairman, Governing Council, Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin and Coordinator of the council of Muslim organizations in Kwara State.

Among early callers at his residence were the delegation of the Kwara State Government led by Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold; pioneer Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, Justice Mustapha Akanbi; delegation from the Unifersity of Ilorin led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Bayo Lawal; National President, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, Alhaji AbdulHameed Adi and former, Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University Osogbo, Professor Hussein Oloyede.

Jimoh retired from the University of Ilorin in 2009 after he delivered his inaugural lecture entitled "If gold rusts... What will iron do?