President Muhammadu Buhari, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, and Mudeer of Morcas, Agege, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam-Abdullah Al-Ilory, led other prominent Nigerians on Monday to extol the virtues of the late Editor, Saturday Telegraph, Abdul Waheed Bakare.
Bakare died on Sunday at the age of 50 years.
President Buhari, who commiserated with the media industry, particularly the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), over Bakare’s death, said in a statement by his Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, that Bakare’s death was a collective loss to the media and the nation that he served passionately with his talent.
The President condoled with the family of the deceased, and management of New Telegraph Newspapers, praying that God “would receive the soul of the departed and comfort all that mourn him.”
The Sultan, who doubles as the President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said in a statement by the council that Bakare, who he described as a devoted Muslim, would be missed by Ummah.
He prayed unto Allah to forgive all his trespasses while on earth, grant him eternal rest and put him in Al-Janah Firdaous (best place in Paradise).
At the funeral programme held at his residence in Ota, Mudeer of Morkaz, Agege, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam-Abdullah Al-Ilory, also extolled the virtues of the late Editor.
Al-Ilory, who was described as a father figure to Bakare, was represented at the funeral by the Cheif Imam of Oluwakemi Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Ayuba.
Ayuba in a special sermon said that Al-Ilory tasked everyone to learn from Bakare’s death by preparing for their grave through good deeds.
“The deceased was an epitome of kindness and compassion. He was kind to everyone he met. All that he did was a preparation for today that he is no more. How are you too preparing for your last day?” He quipped.
Managing Director, New Telegraph, Mr. Ayodele Aminu; Editor, New Telegraph, Mr. Ayodele Ojo and Editor, Sunday Telegraph, Mrs. Juliet Bumah, led other members of management and staff of New Telegraph to pay last respects to the deceased at his home in Ota.
The younger brother of the deceased, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Bakare, expressed gratitude, on behalf of the deceased family, to the leadership of New Telegraph and other important personalities who came to pay condolences visit to the family.
New Telegraph
