Popular Islamic Cleric Slumps During Sermon In Kwara

There was a mixed reaction in Ilorin, Kwara State capital in the last week after the popular Islamic cleric, Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory slumped while delivering a sermon at an event.

Naija News learnt that the respected Sheikh who is the proprietor of Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Institute, Agege, Lagos was present in Ilorin at the Nikkah ceremony of the daughter of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore, held on Thursday.

However, just shortly after commencing his sermon, the cleric reportedly suffered a stroke and slumped.

An eyewitness who confirmed his name as Yinusa told Daily Trust that the whole scenario lasted for about two hours after the cleric arrived at the event.

The development disrupted the event and the Sheik was reportedly rushed to the Stroke Unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) for quick attention.

Naija News reports that a top medical officer in the hospital confirmed to newsmen on Sunday that the cleric had suffered a stroke.

“He was rushed to UITH on Thursday and it was later discovered that he suffered a stroke. He is at the Stroke Unit of the UITH,” said the eyewitness who gave more insight into the scenario.

A member of the Mufti’s cabinet who preferred not to be named said, “Baba (Sheikh Habeeb) is getting better and very soon, you will see him back on stage.

“Nobody is free from such a test no matter how highly placed his position and status is in society,” he added.

Just a week ago, Naija News reported that a final year student of Bayero University Kano, Babangida Ahmad, died in his hostel in the wee hours of Friday morning, January 28, while preparing to go to the mosque for morning prayers.

Bala Abdullahi, the Secretary, Information and Publication of the University, who confirmed the death of the deceased said he was a student of the Department of Library and Information Science.

He said: “The University management has contacted his parents about the incident and would be taken to his hometown for burial according to Islamic rites.”

A colleague of the deceased stated that he left the room at about 4:30 am when he suddenly slumped. He was rushed to the university clinic where he was confirmed dead on arrival.