The National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, has expressed profound shock over the death of renowned Ilorin traditional female Waka exponent, Alhaja Rukayat Batimoluwasi.

Alhaja Batimoluwasi passed away on Saturday, 4 July 2027, following an age-related illness.

In a statement issued by the Union's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo, Alhaji Abdulmalik described her death as the end of an era in the cultural history of the Ilorin Emirate.

He recalled the late singer's immense contributions to the development of the Waka genre, noting that she remained a leading figure for more than five decades and became synonymous with quality female Waka rendition.

According to him, Alhaja Batimoluwasi brought honour to the Ilorin Emirate through her outstanding performances both within and outside the Emirate.

The IEDPU President, a retired Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, also described her poetic compositions as entertaining, informative, educational and spiritually uplifting.

Alhaji Abdulmalik sympathised with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, the people of the Ilorin Emirate, and especially the family, associates and colleagues of the deceased.

He prayed to Allah to forgive her shortcomings and reward her good deeds with Aljanat Firdaus.