Nigeria, Jan. 20 -- Ilorin was enveloped in deep sorrow on Tuesday as thousands of mourners gathered at the forecourt of the Emir of Ilorin's palace for the final burial rites of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu.

From the early hours of the day, streams of Muslim faithful, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers and political leaders converged in a solemn procession to pay their last respects to the revered cleric, whose influence spanned generations within and beyond the Ilorin Emirate.

The janazah prayer, which commenced at exactly 10:00 a.m., was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed. In his admonition, he prayed for the Ilorin Emirate, the government and the people, urging them to draw less...