Northern govs mournAdelowo Oladipo, MinnaThe Northern Governors Forum(NGF) has described as a great loss, the death of the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Lateef Adegbite, saying he will be missed by his family, Muslim faithful and indeed, all Nigerians.Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, said by Adegbite's death last Friday, Nigeria had lost an outstanding lawyer, teacher, scholar and philanthropist, who devoted his life to the service of God and humanity.A statement in Minna by Governor Aliyu's Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Minna, Niger State, described the late Adegbite as a bridge builder who worked towards peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians.The forum said it was devastated by Adegbite's death, especially at a time when the guidance and advice of religious leaders were required to steer the ship of state.The statement, however, urged Nigerians to be consoled by the virtues he left behind, which would continue to serve as a guiding light to younger generations.It also prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the bereaved the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.Vacuum his death creates will take some time to fill 'AdeojoBy Lanre OlabisiThe vaccum createdby the death of theSecretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Lateef Adegbite, has been described as a big one that will take time to fill in the Muslim community in the country.Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the former national deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yekini Adeojo, said the leadership role played by the Islamic scholar in the country would be missed by all.'We would all miss the leadership of the late Dr Adegbite because of his fatherly role among us. He was an epitome of humility and he worked tirelessly for the unity and harmony of the country through religion.'I pray that the Almighty will grant him Al-jannah fidau,' Adeojo said.Adeojo prayed that God would be with the Muslim community and the entire family of the great scholar.His death, a national loss 'OniThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)National Vice Chairman (South West), Chief Segun Oni, has said the death of the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Lateef Adegbite, is "a great loss to the nation, most especially the Muslim community that he served with his time, energy and resources."Oni, while consoling the Muslim community and the entire people of Nigeria on the death of the Islamic scholar, said Dr Adegbite was an illustrious Nigerian, a committed patriot and an outstanding statesman of impeccable integrity, who served the country diligently in politics and religion.The statement, signed by Oni's media aide, Mr Lere Olayinka, said, 'No doubt, Dr Lateef Adegbite played his roles well both in government as former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the defunct Western Region, and in the area of religion, being the spokesperson of Islam in Nigeria as the secretary of the religion's highest decision making body (NSCIA).'He was a shining light in the legal profession and a religious icon, whose devotion to administration of justice and religious tolerance in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.'It is also on record that Dr Adegbite founded the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN).'No doubt, he lived a fulfilled life and will be missed greatly by all."The irony of life, however, is that no matter how long and fulfilled they lived, we do not ever wish to lose our loved ones. I, therefore, implore the family to take solace in the fact that his life was a model; a brand that symbolised excellence, honesty, hard-work and absolute dedication to the service of Allah.'On behalf of my family and the entire members and supporters of the PDP in the South-West zone, I express heartfelt condolences for the loss of such a distinguished elder statesman and pray that Allah will grant him Al-jannah fidau. I also wish the entire family the continued support and guidance of Allah.'His death, big loss to Nigeria 'GroupsBy Adebayo WaheedThe Muslim community in Nigeriahas mourned the exit Dr AbdulLateef Adegbite, describing his death as a big loss to the community and to the nation at large.Adegbite, who, until his death on Friday, was the Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), died in Lagos at the age of 79.The Muslim groups, in their various condolence messages on Sunday, said as an exemplary leader and lover of peace, his death had created a vacuum in the Muslim community.The groups included NSCIA, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN).Others were the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN), the National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organisations in the USA (NCNMO) and the National Council of Muslim Youths Organisations (NACOMYO).He lived to promote peace 'NOA DGCollins Nnabuife, AbujaThe Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri, has described the late Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Lateef Adegbite, as a pacifist who preached inter-religious harmony and lived to promote peaceful co-existence in the country.In a condolence message to his family and the NSCIA, the NOA boss regretted that the 79-year-old scholar died at a time his voice was needed in the promotion of peace and unity in the country.He said: 'Dr Adegbite was a Muslim who knew that other religions existed in the country and who wanted everyone to live in peace and brotherhood. He was an icon of transformation who preached religious tolerance and who did the right things at all times.'We will miss him, especially now when Nigeria requires true voice of reason in building cohesion and in promoting unity.'He urged the family of the late scholar to take solace in the many good accomplishments of his life and build on them for the development of the country. Mr Omeri said Dr Adegbite's demise would be felt by NSCIA, especially given his organisational ability, strong pan-Nigerian ideology and Islamic intellectualism.He urged Muslims to build on the strong legacies of Dr Adegbite for peace and stability of humanity.Adegbite's death, monumental loss to Nigeria 'AjimobiOyo State governor,Senator AbiolaAjimobi, has described the passage of the Secretary General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Lateef Adegbite, as a monumental loss to the Muslim community, the legal profession and Nigeria in general.The governor, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, in Ibadan, on Monday, said that he received the news of Dr Adegbite's demise with shock and disbelief.He described him as an elderstatesman, who lived his life for the unity and oneness of the country.As a religious leader, the governor said that Adegbite used his status as the NSCIA scribe to advance Islam and to ensure harmony among various religious adherents in Nigeria.'It is also on record that Dr Adegbite made his mark in the legal profession, which he used to seek justice for the poor and the oppressed.'His death is highly unfortunate and disheartening, moreover at this critical time when the nation needs his spiritual counsel to tackle the myriad of problems currently confronting it.'We are, however, consoled with the fact the Dr Adegbite lived a fulfilled life; a life of service to humanity,' he remarked.Governor Ajimobi called on friends, associates and family members of the late Adegbite to celebrate his passage, rather than mourn, as he did his best to impact positively on fellow humans and his fatherland.He pray that God would grant him eternal rest.
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