Ilorin High Chief dies at 76

THE most senior High Chief of Ilorin emirate, Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Mahmud Durosinlorun Atiku, has died.

Atiku, who was one of the four high chiefs of Ilorin Emirate, died in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 76 and had since been buried according to Islamic rites.

The passing away of Balogun Fulani was announced in a statement signed by the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Salihu Woru Mohammed, on behalf of the Ilorin Emirate Council.

The late chief ascended the throne of his forefathers in September 2005 as the 11th Balogun Fulani of Ilorin.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, led other traditional chiefs in the emirate to witness the burial while the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Salihu.

The late Balogun is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.

Sulu-Gambari expressed sadness over the demise of Atiku, describing his death as shocking.

The Emir, who described the deceased as a competent and loyal chief, said his services would be highly missed in the administration of the Ilorin Emirate traditional council, adding that “Balogun Fulani’s death is indeed a colossal loss to the entire people of the emirate.

He, however, prayed Allah to grant him Al-Janatul Firdaos and the immediate family and the entire Balogun-Fulani community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.