Egbewole, others honour Yusuf at special prayer
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, the Kuliyan Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, and the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Lateef Folorunsho Oladimeji, led mourners in Ilorin last Monday (February 2,2026) to the fidau prayers organised for the late former Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin, Prof. Badmas Lanre Yusuf, who died penultimate Friday.
Others who attended the prayers were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola; the Registrar of the University, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Biodun Alabi; and the Director of JUPEB who doubles as the Chairman of Ilorin Emirate Staff Association, Prof. Ibrahim Kayode Adam; among others.
The Fidau, held at the Ilorin Central Jumaat Mosque, was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life who reflected on the wide-reaching impact of Prof. Badmus’ contributions to academia, religion, and public service.
In an interview with UNILORIN Bulletin on the sideline of the event, Prof. Egbewole described the late Prof. Yusuf as an intellectual whose calm and fatherly guidance would be sorely missed.
He said, “Prof. Yusuf was a scholar of rare distinction, a devoted Muslim, and a respected community leader. His absence will be deeply felt.”
Prof. Egbewole said the late Professor’s dedication to education, research, and community service, means that his work would continue to inspire generations of students and academics. He added that Prof. Yusuf’’s legacy as a teacher, leader, and devout Muslim would be cherished and remembered with honour.
On his part, the Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Staff Association (IESA), University of Ilorin, Prof. Ibrahim Kayode Adam, described the demise of Prof. Yusuf as a painful and irreparable loss to the Association, the University of Ilorin community, and the entire Muslim ummah.
He noted that the late scholar was a man of integrity, humility, and uncommon dedication to the service of humanity, whose life was marked by scholarship, leadership, and selfless commitment.
According to him, Prof. Yusuf’s contributions to education, religious scholarship, and public service remain enduring and worthy of emulation, adding that his legacy as a distinguished academic and dedicated public servant would continue to inspire present and future generations within and beyond the University of Ilorin.
In his sermon at the event, the Grand Mukadam of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulayman Dan Borno, described the deceased as an honest and principled individual whose life and work positively impacted people in Ilorin, throughout Kwara State, across Nigeria, and internationally.
Sheikh Dan Borno also reminded the mourners that every living soul will eventually follow the path taken by Prof. Yusuf as he urged everyone to strive to do good in their lifetime.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr Abdulkadir Sambo Sambaki, stated that the late Professor’s extraordinary linguistic skills, intellectual gifts, and moral uprightness earned him recognition as a multilingual scholar of international repute.
Dr. Sambaki noted that Prof. Yusuf’s dedication to service and his personal integrity made him a role model whose influence would endure across generations. He encouraged his children to remain united and strive to attain the heights their father achieved.
