The Director General of the Centre for Energy Investment and Innovation (CEII), Mr. Grema Sulaiman, has lost his father, Alhaji Sulaiman Hamid, who passed away in the early hours of today at his home in Maiduguri, Borno State, after a brief illness.

This heartbreaking news has prompted so many condolences from family, friends and well-wishers across the country.

Born on October 1, 1960, Alhaji Sulaiman Hamid was a revered community leader, businessman, and educationist. He was also, a founding member of Al-Haya Development organisation representing the Shuwa Arab community in Lagos since 1988 alongside notable figures such as His Highness, Sultan Jubrin Yahaya. He was lifelong advocate for development played significant roles in key projects in his lifetime, such as the establishment of the Lagos State Abattoir and the proposal for the international animal and food market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, by the late, Alhaji.Grema Mohammed of blessed memory.

Until his death he was the General Secretary of the Arewa Development Association, a position he held with distinction. Having to work closely as the personal secretary to his uncle in his lifetime until his demise in 2007, late Alhaji Grema Mohammed whom he honoured by naming his eldest son Grema.

Alhaji Sulaiman passed away shortly after being discharged from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where he had been receiving treatment for several months. He is survived by seven children, with Mr. Grema Sulaiman, the CEII Director General, being his eldest son.

His funeral prayer was held earlier today in Maiduguri and was attended by notable personalities, including Prof. Abba Saleh Abulfatahi and Sheikh Sukairat Abulfatahi, alongside family members, friends, and members of the Shuwa Arab community in Shuwari, Maiduguri, Borno State.

When contacted, he spoke briefly expressing his deepest gratitude for the love and support his family has received during this difficult time and solicited for continuous prayers from everyone for his late dad. He concluded with the prayer, May Allah grant Abba our father, my mentor and teacher Jannatul Firdaus for will surely miss him indeed. He was an amazing father anyone could hope or pray for. May Allah grant us all a blesses life and also a good ending In Shaa Allah.