Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State and Grand Chief Imam of Yewaland, Sheikh Sikirulai Babalola, who died at the age of 98.
The governor spoke on Sunday during the burial ceremony of the late Islamic cleric held at Igan Alalade in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Abiodun described the late Sheikh Babalola as a devoted Muslim, respected Islamic scholar, and influential spiritual leader whose contributions to Islam and humanity left lasting impacts across Ogun State and beyond.
According to the governor, the deceased rose to the highest level of leadership within the Muslim community in the state through his roles as Grand Chief Imam of Yewaland and President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State.
He noted that the late cleric remained committed to promoting peace, religious harmony, moral discipline, and community development throughout his lifetime.
Governor Abiodun further described Sheikh Babalola as a man of integrity, generosity, and unwavering faith who dedicated himself to serving both God and humanity.
“I cannot find better words to describe him other than that he was a man of God and a good man,” the governor said.
He added that Ogun State had lost one of its foremost spiritual leaders, stressing that the cleric’s death was a painful loss not only to the Muslim community and Yewaland but also to the entire state known for its culture of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The governor prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him eternal rest in Aljanah Firdaus.
Also speaking at the burial ceremony, the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Kunle Salako, described the late Sheikh as an upright and principled Islamic leader who consistently defended the interest of Yewaland while supporting younger generations.
According to Salako, the deceased served as a rallying point for many people within the Muslim community and remained widely respected for his wisdom and commitment to justice.
“He was a very upright man who consistently defended the interest of Yewaland, even as a Muslim leader. He always looked out for the younger generation and served as a rallying point for many people in the land,” Salako said.
The minister noted that despite the cleric’s advanced age, his death still created a major vacuum within the religious and community leadership structure of Ogun State.
During a brief lecture at the burial ceremony, the Head of the Department of Arabic Studies at the Federal College of Education Abeokuta, Dr. Raji Akano, urged people to live impactful lives and remain conscious of life after death.
Akano stated that the late Chief Imam had completed his earthly assignment and returned to his Creator, reminding mourners that death remains inevitable for all humans.
Late Sheikh Sikirulai Babalola died on Saturday at the age of 98 after decades of religious leadership and service to Islam in Ogun State.
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