In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
On behalf of the Gobir family, I wish to formally express our profound gratitude to all who attended the Janazah and Fidau prayers for the late Sarkin Gobir, Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf-Gobir.
Your presence and support during this time of mourning have been a source of immense strength for our family.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON; His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq CON, and his Deputy; the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danladi; and Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Oba Abdulkadir Magaji, members of the Tenth Assembly, and their counterparts from Sokoto State led by Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga. Our gratitude also goes to the members of the Kwara State Executive Council, as well as the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Mall. Idris Muhammad Gobir whose attendance underscores the unity we share with our kinsmen.
The family is also sincerely thankful to Senator Mallam Saliu Mustapha, The Turaki of Ilorin and the Council Chairmen of Ilorin West, South, East, and Asa Local Government Areas of the state, whose presence was greatly appreciated.
Our gratitude further extends to the Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaibu Belgore, for his valued presence and support. We also extend heartfelt thanks to our respected traditional leaders: His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR; the distinguished Baloguns and Magaji Are of Ilorin; Alanguas; Daudu; Alhaji Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari SAN, the Ciroma of Ilorin; and Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, the Sugaban Hausawa of Ilorin. Their presence and prayers were deeply meaningful to us.
We also acknowledge the presence of notable dignitaries, including Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki CON, Former Senate President; Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Special Adviser to the Vice President; General Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior; Alhaji Garba Lawal; Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, former Minister for National Planning and current DG NILDS; Engr. Yusuf ‘Lanre Sagaya MFR, Zannan Ilorin; and Mohammed Dele Belgore SAN. We are grateful for the support from Professor Ali Ahmad, Honourable Abubakar Amuda Kannike, Honourable Yinka Aluko, Hajiya Arinola Lawal, Captain Dele Sasegbon, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), and Barrister Adedo.
We extend special thanks to organizations that showed support: the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee, led by Engr. Suleiman Yahya Alapansanpa, the Danmasani of Ilorin; the Ilorin Central Jummat Mosque, under Alhaji Shehu Gafar OON; the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU); Third Estate Ilorin Emirate, ably represented by Alhaji Yinka Yahaya Ori-okoh and Engr. Dele Saliu; the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA); the Ilorin Women Association; and representatives from the International Aviation College. We thank religious groups such as the Ansarudeen Society, the Ansarul Islam Society, and NASFAT for their participation in prayers for our beloved.
Our appreciation extends to the Council of Ulamah, led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir Solihu OON; the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhameed; the Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Abdulazeez; the Ajanasi of Ilorin, Sheikh Mujtaba Bature; Mufty Diyar Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa OON, the Grand Mufti of Ilorin; Sheikh Suleiman Dan Bornu, the Grand Mukadam of Ilorin; as well as Amira Alhaja Memunat Oniyangi, whose prayers have brought us comfort.
We also appreciate the support from those not mentioned in this message, whose kindness and prayers have comforted us.
May Allah, the Most High, grant the late Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf-Gobir eternal peace and Al-Jannah Firdaus. We humbly request your continued prayers for his soul and for strength for our family in the days to come.
Thank you all for your support. Jazakumullahu khairan jaza’a.
Signed,
Mall. Abdul Nasir Gobir, for the family
Formal Expression of Gratitude from the Gobir Family