Date: 2016-08-17

The death has occurred of the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Mahmmud Durosinlohun Atiku. He died in early hours of yesterday at the University of Teaching Hospital after a brief illness at the age 76. The deceased has been buried according to Islamic rites.

He was survived by four wives, children, grand children and great grand children. Eminent personalities have begun to pay condolence visit to the deceased family house, Balogun Fulani Compound, Ilorin. The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari was among eminent Nigerians who paid last respect to the deceased, while the Kwara State Government delegation was led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold.

The Baloguns, Magajis and traditional rulers as well as all council chairmen in Ilorin Emirate among other eminent personalities were also at the janazat prayer. Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has described the death of the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Mahmud Durosinlosun Atiku as a big loss to Ilorin Emirate and the State at large. Governor Ahmed in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba said the death of the late Balogun has denied the people of the state his wise counseling.

The governor in the message commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate Council and the family of the deceased. Governor Ahmed prayed Allah to give all the fortitude to cope with the loss and deceased aljanat fridaous.

Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmad also commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari and Emirate Council over the demise of the Balogun-Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammadu Durosinlohun Atiku. The Speaker, in a condolence message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir, described his death as a huge loss to the ancient city of Ilorin and Kwara State at large.

Ahmad who said the late kingmaker would be sorely missed for his fatherly roles and useful advice to government added that he was exemplary and commanded respect both from the government and among his colleagues. He noted that the deceased never for once failed to provide useful suggestions on various development in the country, adding that he was always on top of happenings in his domain.

The Speaker further described the late traditional chief as a peace lover who ensured peaceful co-existence among his immediate subjects, the Fulanis and other ethnic groups in his domain. Praying Allah to forgive his sins and grant him Al-Janah Firdaus, Ahmad also sympathised with his immediate family and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

He also expressed the House of Assembly's grief over late Atiku's demise and condoled the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani and entire Balogun Fulani family for the loss. In his own condolence, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje described the news of the death of the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Durosinolorun Atiku as a rude shock and monumental loss to the people of Ilorin Emirate.

Alhaji Baraje in a statement issued to journalists in Ilorin to commiserate with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and the entire people of the emirate over the loss of the traditional title holder, said his death was a great loss, especially at this period that his advice and wisdom were needed to foster unity and harmonious relationship. According to him, his short reign as the ninth Balogun Fulani had brought about meaningful development and peace to Balogun Fulani community and the entire Ilorin emirate .

He also sympathized with the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Doctor Ali Ahmad , the State Chairman of the APC , Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani , the extended and nuclear family of the late Balogun and prayed Allah to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. Alhaji Baraje also prayed Allah to forgive the sins of the late Balogun Fulani of Ilorin and grant him aljanat fridaus.

Source: HeraldNews