Tinubu’s Heartfelt Farewell: Nigeria Mourns Zaria’s Revered Sheikh Habibi

In a somber moment for Nigeria’s Muslim community, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has poured out his grief over the passing of Sheikh Mainasara Liman Habibi, a towering Islamic scholar whose death has left Zaria and beyond in mourning. The 67-year-old preacher, who died over the weekend of April 26, 2025, was a beacon of faith, leading the Preachers Committee of Fityanul Islam under the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood. His passing, announced through posts on X, has sparked an outpouring of tributes, with the President hailing him as a unifying force in a nation often divided by creed.Sheikh Habibi, based in Zaria, Kaduna State, was no ordinary cleric. As National Chairman of the Preachers Committee, he shaped minds and hearts with teachings that blended deep Islamic knowledge with calls for peace and tolerance. From bustling mosques to quiet communities, his voice carried weight, urging Nigerians to rise above religious differences. President Tinubu, in a statement issued on April 28, 2025, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, praised Habibi’s lifelong dedication to scholarship and humanity. The President offered prayers for the cleric’s soul, asking Allah for mercy and a place in Aljannah Firdaus, a sentiment echoed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on X.The loss stings deeply in Kaduna, where Habibi’s sermons drew thousands, and across Nigeria, where his influence reached through the Tijjaniyya Brotherhood. His death marks the end of an era for Fityanul Islam, leaving followers to grapple with the void left by a man who lived for faith and unity. Tinubu extended condolences to the Zazzau Emirate Council, the Kaduna State government, and Habibi’s family, urging them to find solace in his enduring legacy.What This Means for NigeriansSheikh Habibi’s death is a blow to millions who saw him as a spiritual guide in tough times. For everyday Nigerians, his message of unity is a reminder to hold fast to peace in a country often rocked by division. His legacy challenges us all to live with purpose, bridging gaps with kindness and faith.