Dignitaries pray, pay last respect to Ambali at 3rd day Fidau
By Abubakar Imam
Dignitaries from all walks of life converged on the Shehu Shagari Housing Estate, Oloje, Ilorin residence of the late former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, on Monday, June 8, 2026, to pay tributes and pray for the repose of his soul.
Prof. Ambali, who died last Saturday (June 6, 2026), headed the University between 2012 and 2017.
The solemn event was singularly devoted to the celebration of the life and times of the late Professor of Veterinary Medicine and founding father of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University, where he served as pioneer Dean and to which he returned to teach after his tenure as Vice Chancellor.
The former Vice Chancellor died in active service as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Kwara State University, Malete, in the early hours of last Saturday (June 6, 2026). His remains were consequently buried after a Janazah prayer that attracted hundreds of mourners
Leading other eminent clerics at the prayer session on Monday was the Deputy Chief Imam (Imam Imale) of Ilorin, Shaykh Abdullahi AbdulHamid, who said that the late don exemplified the finest example of how human beings should live and relate with others.
He added that the late Prof. Ambali would be remembered not just through the number of individuals and groups he helped in the course of his career but also for his piety, kindness, humility and simplicity.
The cleric, who was assisted by the Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Shaykh Suleiman AbdulAzeez; the Alfa Rabanna of Ilorin, Shaykh Yahaya Kokewu and the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Shaykh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa, OON, said that despite living and working for so many years in Maiduguri, Prof. Ambali was able to quickly adapt to Ilorin environment as soon as he settled down in the city over 15 years ago.
The Imam Imale later led a series of lithurgical services and prayers, which included readings from the Holy Quran to seek Allah’s mercies on the soul of the late Prof. Ambali. He also prayed to Allah to console his widows, children, associates and colleagues as well as the management,staff and students of both the University of Ilorin and KWASU and the University of Maiduguri. He equally prayed to Allah to grant all the bereaved the fortitude to bear his loss.
In his lecture at the event, the Grand Mukadam of Ilorin, Shaykh Suleiman Abubakar Dan-Borno, described the late former Vice Chancellor as a very good man.
The cleric said that the life of the deceased was characterised by generosity, humility and piety as well as kindness.
Shaykh Dan-Borno also recalled that the deceased was very accommodating and approachable as he said that every request for assistance put before him was always attended to without much delay.
He encouraged the widows, children and other relations of the deceased to be more focused and united. He equally urged them and others who attended the event to emulate the sterling qualities of the departed scholar for them to also deserve being celebrated while alive and even thereafter.
Delivering another lecture, the Chief Missioner of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Shaykh Abdulmumini Yusuf Hanafi Ayara, enjoined privileged individuals to emulate the exceptional patriotism and service delivery, which defined the life and times of the late former Vice Chancellor.
The renowned cleric explained that death is inevitable and that it would come at the exact time ordained by the maker of the soul. He added that the only way one can live is through making positive impacts on the lives of others.
Shaykh Ayara said that piety or constant worship that is not supported by good deeds would eventually amount to nothing.
He, therefore, urged every leader to always be prepared for life after tenure and hereafter, pointing out that everyone would give account of his conduct in life if not to his fellow human beings but definitely before the Almighty Allah.
The event, which equally featured the exploration of the life and times of the former Vice Chancellor by the Director of University Relations, Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Saheedat Aliyu; and rendition of tributes by a few of the prominent dignitaries present, was attended by the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON; the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu; and the Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq as well as the Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdulwahab Suleiman and the Danmasani of Ilorin, Engr Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, FNSE.
Also present were the outgoing Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN; the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Shaykh-Lukman Alade Jimoh; the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, Prof. Medinat Folorunso Salman; the Vice Chancellor of the Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University,Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh; the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Lateef Folorunso Oladimeji, the Vice Chancellor of Ojaja University,Ilorin, Prof. Jelili Ojuade and the Vice Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University, Pategi, Prof. Sani Ali Audu.
Others include the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), University of Ilorin, Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; the Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal; Members of the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin, Mr AbdulRasheed Gidado Dauda, and Prof. Muftau Ijaiya, and Prof. Muftau Ijaiya; the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun; the Director of Works, Mr Amoo; as well as the Director, Physical Planning Unit, Mr AbdulRahman Toyin Jimoh.
The list of dignitaries who graced the solemn ceremony equally included the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Ilorin, Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho; a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Sulaiman Ambali; a former Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Mr Emmanuel Dada Obafemi and the Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Biodun Sulyman Alabi and Principal Officers and members of the Governing Council of the Kwara State University, Malete, among several others.
Prof. Ambali is survived by two widows, Prof. Hassanat Taiwo Ambali of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin; and Hajiya Aisha Abba Yusuf-Ambali, who is a Chief Accountant in the Bursary Division of the same better by far University. The former Vice Chancellor is also survived by three children consisting of two boys and a girl.
