By joshua Fidau Prayers Held For Late Shugaban Afemai Of Lokoja, Alhaji Ahmadu Zakari Dangana
Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, community leaders and well-wishers on Tuesday gathered at the Lokogoma residence of the late Alhaji Ahmadu Zakari Dangana, Shugaban Afemai I of Lokoja, for Fidau prayers in his honour.
The prayer session was led by the Chief Imam of Lokoja, Sheikh Muhammad Aminu Sha’aban, alongside other Islamic scholars, khalifas and members of the Muslim community.
The event began with recitation of the Holy Qur’an and Dala’ilul Khairat, followed by lectures on the inevitability of death and the need for believers to remain steadfast in worship.
In a sermon, Malam Ibrahim Nyasa, Sheikh Yusuf Abdallah, urged Muslims to fear Allah, uphold righteousness and prepare for the hereafter through good deeds. He reminded the congregation that death is inevitable and encouraged them to live lives deserving of Allah’s mercy.
Speaking during the prayers, Chief Imam Sha’aban described the late Dangana as a devout Muslim, elder statesman and community leader whose contributions to the development of Lokoja and the Afemai community would remain indelible. He urged the deceased’s children and family to sustain his legacy of service, humility and commitment to humanity.
The Chief Imam and other clerics also offered special prayers for the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikafi IV, seeking Allah’s guidance, protection, good health and a successful reign. Prayers were also said for the repose of the soul of his late father, Dr. Kabir Maikafi III, other departed traditional rulers and elders of Lokoja, as well as for peace, unity and progress of the Lokoja Traditional Council.
Representing the Maigari, Alhaji Ahmadu Sarkin Zango extolled the virtues of the deceased and prayed for Allah’s mercy upon his soul.
Mr. Julius Arojojoye, in his remarks, described the late community leader as a detribalised Nigerian and father figure whose wisdom, generosity and commitment to development touched lives across ethnic and religious lines.
The eldest son of the deceased, Engr. Muhammad Amin Dangana, expressed appreciation to the Maigari of Lokoja for the support extended to the family and for conferring the title of Shugaban Afemai I of Lokoja on his father.
“We are grateful to His Royal Highness, the Maigari of Lokoja, who bestowed the title on our father. We pray Almighty Allah continues to bless and protect him,” he said.
Engr. Dangana also thanked the Lokoja community, Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, friends and sympathisers for their support since his father’s passing. He noted that his father exemplified humility, discipline, religious devotion, honesty and respect for elders.
Dignitaries at the Fidau included Khalifa Arif Yabagi, Khalifa Etsu Shuiabu Kenchi, Magajin Gari of Lokoja Sheikh Ahmed Muhammed, Imam of Adankolo Juma’at Mosque, members of the Lokoja Traditional Council led by district heads and title holders, as well as Afemai community members from within and outside Lokoja.
Also present were Engr. Titus Adoga of the National Inland Waterways Authority, former Commissioner for Finance Chief Shola Ojo, representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and other community leaders.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu Zakari Dangana, Shugaban Afemai I of Lokoja, died last Saturday at 86 and was buried according to Islamic rites in home town. He is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.