Formal expression of gratitude from the Gobir family

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

On behalf of the Gobir family, I wish to formally express our deep 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 sincere gratitude 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 the Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Oba Abdulkadir Magaji, members of the 10th Assembly, and their Sokoto State counterparts led by the Rt. 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 underlines the unity we share with our kin.

The family also sincerely thanks Senator Mallam Saliu Mustapha, 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 is further extended to the Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaibu Belgore, for his valuable presence and support. We also wholeheartedly thank 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; Daudú; Alhaji Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari SAN, the Ciroma of Ilorin; and Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, the Sugaban Hausawa of Ilorin. Your presence and prayers were deeply meaningful to us.

We also acknowledge the presence of notable dignitaries including Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki CON, former President of the Senate; Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Special Adviser to the Vice President; General Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of the Interior; Alhaji Garba Lawal; Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, former Minister of National Planning and current DG NILDS; Eng. Yusuf ‘Lanre Sagaya MFR, Zannan Ilorin; and Mohammed Dele Belgore SAN. We appreciate the support of Professor Ali Ahmad, Honorable Abubakar Amuda Kannike, Honorable Yinka Aluko, Hajiya Arinola Lawal, Captain Dele Sasegbon, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) and Barrister Adedo.

We extend special thanks to the organizations that showed their support: the Durbar Committee of the Emirate of Ilorin, led by Eng. Suleiman Yahya Alapansanpa, the Danmasani of Ilorin; the Jummat Central Mosque of Ilorin, under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Gafar OON; the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU); Ilorin Emirate of the Third Estate, ably represented by Alhaji Yinka Yahaya Ori-okoh and Engr. Dele Saliu; the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA); the Ilorin Women’s Association; and representatives of the International College of Aviation. We thank religious groups like Ansarudeen Society, Ansarul Islam Society and NASFAT for their participation in prayers for our loved ones.

Our gratitude is extended to the Council of Ulamah, headed by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir Solihu OON; the Imale Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhameed; Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Abdulazeez; the Ajanasi of Ilorin, Sheikh Mujtaba Bature; Mufty Diyar Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa OON, Grand Mufti of Ilorin; Sheikh Suleiman Dan Bornu, Grand Mukadam of Ilorin; as well as Amira Alhaja Memunat Oniyangi, whose prayers have brought us comfort.

We also appreciate the support of those not mentioned in this message, whose kindness and prayers have comforted us.

May Allah 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 ahead.

Thank you all for your support. Jazakumullahu khairan jaza’a.

signed,

Mall. Abdul Nasir Gobir, for the family