Sheikh Shuaib Agaka imparted Islamic knowledge on my family – Emir of Ilorin

The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, on Monday expressed shock and grief over the death of Dr Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka.

Alhaji Gambari recalled benefitting immensely from the late cleric’s preaching about Islam and Holy Quran.

The traditional ruler also disclosed that his mother, at a tender age, learnt about the Holy Qur’an from Agaka.

The deceased, 77 years old, was the father of PRNigeria publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Yushau Shuaib.

At his palace on Monday, Gambari told a delegation of the family led by Daudu Agaka, Alhaji Hanafi Kawu, to take solace in the departed soul’s unblemished and righteous life.

“Kwara and Nigeria have lost an iconic Islamic preacher of unrivalled acclaim. The family is synonymous with Islamic evangelism and crusade.”

“The late Abdulhameed remains one of the greatest Arabic Islamic scholars produced by the Emirate”, the monarch said.

The Chief Imam of Agaka in Ilorin died at a hospital in the state capital. He was born into the family of Imam Shuaib Saeed, a renowned Qur’anic teacher and Islamic leader.

Agaka attended School for Arabic Studies (SAS) in Kano, and Bayero University Kano (BUK), where he obtained a Ph.D in Qur’anic Morphology and Arabic Grammar.

The late Sheikh taught Arabic and Islamic Studies at Kano Educational Development Centre (KEDC) between 1971 and 1974.

He was the Head of Arabic Studies Departments at School for Arabic Studies; Women Arabic Teachers College; Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, among others.

Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashir Solihu described Sheikh Agaka as an exemplary preacher who promoted tolerance, humility and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking on behalf of Forum of Arabic Scholars of Darul Markaz, Prof. Badmus Yusuf called the deceased a unique religious leader, who nurtured many young scholars on the true teachings of Islam.

“Dr. Shuaib Agaka was not only an author of exceptional Islamic literatures, he was a community leader and philanthropist.

“For decades, he provided scholarships and accommodation for indigent students especially in Kano”, said Yusuf, ex-Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, UNILORIN.”