Dr. Lateef Adegbite

By our Correspondents

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, Monday commiserated with the family of late former Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Lateef Adegbite, who died at the age of 79.

In his tribute, Ajimobi said Adegbite’s death was 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, said he received the news of Adegbite’s demise with shock and disbelief.

“It is also on record that 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 myriads of problems currently confronting it. We are, however, consoles with the fact that Adegbite lived a fulfilled life, a life of service to humanity,” he remarked.

On his part, Adamu described Adegbite death as a great loss, not only to his family and the people of Ogun State, but also to Nigeria.

Adamu, who spoke Monday at the National Assembly in Abuja, said Adegbite was a good Muslim, who had worked assiduously alongside other stakeholders to foster unity and understanding between Muslims in Northern and Southern Nigeria, thereby serving as a ‘unifying force’ within the Nigerian Muslim community.

The Senator, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the Senate, further noted that Adegbite would also be remembered, “for building bridges of unity among adherents of the two dominant religions in Nigeria-Islam and Christianity.”

Meanwhile, Omeri in a condolence message to Adegbite’s family and the NSCIA, expressed regret that Adegbite died at a time his voice was really needed in the promotion of peace and unity among the diverse people of the country.

“Adegbite was a Muslim who knew that other religions existed in the country and who wanted everyone to live in peace and brother hood. 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 require true voice of reason in building cohesion, and promoting the unity of dear fatherland,” he said.