Jonathan, Buhari, others mourn Abuja Chief Imam

By Abdullahi M. Gulloma, Ayoni M. Agbabiaka, Bode Olagoke

The Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Ustaz Musa Muhammed, who died on Saturday, was buried yesterday, according to Muslim rites.
Aged 68, he died at the National Hospital, Abuja where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
The Chief Imam, who hailed from Jos, Plateau state, was born on April 11, 1947 and was survived by four wives and 14 children.
Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, announced the passing on of the Imam in a statement on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saád Abubakar III.
In his remark after the burial, the Branch Missioner, NASFAT Utako branch, Alhaji Sharafdeen Ali-Agan, urged all to live as if they were a passers-by in this world. He urge the Muslim Ummah to take his death as a lesson, urging them to spend more in the course of Allah.
He said: “We should all live in this life as a passerby. Whatever you have since you cannot take any of them with you after your demise, spend more for Allah,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday condoled with the Muslim community on the death of the Chief Imam.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, the president also commiserated with members of the family of the late cleric.
The president said the late Muhammad greatly inspired his followers with his exemplary lifestyle, moral conduct and teachings.
“President Jonathan believes that Ustaz Muhammed, who stood out as a passionate and diligent promoter of inter-religious understanding and co-operation, will always be remembered as a bridge-builder and a gentleman in every circumstance.  The President prays that Allah in his mercy will grant him peaceful rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus,” the statement said.
In a related development, the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has described the death of Sheikh Musa Muhammed, the Chief Imam of the Abuja Central Mosque as a sad setback to the efforts to reunite Nigerians of various faiths after a very divisive campaign leading to the recent elections.
“He died at a time when the counsels of Nigerians of the highest calibre are needed to continue unification efforts,” Buhari said.
Reacting to the news of the death, Buhari described the late Imam as an inspirational leader, who preached love among men and women and fought hard all his life to diminish cleavages and divisive tendencies in our country.
Buhari said the Imam’s name would occupy a proud place among those who worked for the unity, peace and the well-being of the Nigerian state.
“I join many who mourn him and in doing so, I am proud to remember a great son of Nigeria. May Allah repose his soul and grant his family and the nation the fortitude to bear his loss”, Buhari said.