Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged emerging Islamic scholars across Nigeria and Africa to preserve and propagate the enduring message of tolerance, dialogue, and inclusivity exemplified by the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman-Bauchi.
Shettima gave the charge on Friday after attending the burial ceremony of the late cleric in Bauchi.
The Vice-President described the passage of the cleric as a monumental loss not only to Nigeria but to the global Muslim Ummah.
He specifically said that the late Tijjaniyya leader’s commitment to dialogue and inclusivity represented the true heritage of Islam that must guide future generations.
” This nation has lost a colossus—an institution and one of the last great titans of Islamic scholarship.
” We call on our emerging scholars to embrace the path of dialogue, moderation, accommodation, and inclusivity, because this is the true heritage of Islam—not fanaticism, not extremism,” Shettima said.
While praying for the repose of the late cleric’s soul, the Vice-President said, “May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannatul Firdaus.
” May Allah grant his family and millions of followers the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Also speaking, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State described the late cleric as a towering figure whose legacy transformed Islamic education and uplifted countless families.
“ He made remarkable contributions to development and established a strong tradition of Qur’anic research and scholarship.
” He mentored so many people.
” We have lost a father, a guardian, a teacher, and a colossus,” the governor said.
Similarly, Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State, described the development as deeply sorrowful, not only for the family of the cleric but for all Nigerians and the entire Muslim Ummah across the world.
Yusuf said the late cleric was widely known as an exceptional Islamic scholar who taught Qur’an and Hadith to hundreds of millions of people, especially his family and members of the Tijjaniyya order.
“May God grant his soul eternal rest and give the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.
On his part, Gov. Umar Bago of Niger expressed gratitude to God for the cleric’s life, describing it as well spent.
The governor said the late scholar would be remembered as a distinguished scholar and leader.
