A huge crowd of eminent Nigerians, Islamic scholars and sympathisers were in Oro community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara state yesterday to witness the Fidau prayer of late Sheikh Abdus-Salam Muhammadu Thanni Akoshile.

The prominent Sufi Leader in Yoruba land died Friday last week at the age of 117.

The Oro Eid praying ground, venue of the Fidau, was filled to capacity as sympathizers thronged the prayer session to pray for the repose of the late Scholar’s soul.

Among the eminent personalities at the prayer were the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed represented by the Executive Chairperson of Irepodun Local Government, Hajia Bashirat Mohammed, Asiwaju of Igbomina Land, Chief Raimi Oladimeji-Igbaja, the Elesie of Igbaja, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Media Trust Limited, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola, the Chief Imam of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Alhaji Mohammed Maruf, among others.

Until his death, Sheikh Akoshile was Chief Imam of Muhammad Obale Central Mosque, Ijora-Badia, Lagos, since 1956 and one of the associates of the late Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse whom he first met in Kaolack, Senegal in 1954.

He was survived by one of his three wives and 21 children including Alhaji Aliu Akoshile, General Manager of Media Trust Limited.

A foremost Lagos-based Islamic scholar, Imam Hussein Mohammed in his lecture described Akoshile’s demise as a trial to the Muslim community but urged all and sundry to take solace in the life lived by the scholar.

Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Offa Sheikh Muyideen Hussein urged the children of the late scholars not to deviate from their father’s path.

The late Akoshile’s heir, Khalifat Ameen Akoshile, a Federal Director, promised to sustain and even build on the legacy of their father.