The ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was yesterday thrown into mourning as news of the death of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland and business mogul, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola- Alao, filtered into the city.
The billionaire businessman and philanthropist died at the age of 69 years.
Thousands of sympathisers thronged the deceased Oluwo Nla Basorun Ibadan residence, otherwise known as ‘Aso Rock Villa.’
Early callers at his Ibadan residence were Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Suara Haruna and Alhaji Lateef Oyelade.
Others include Omooba Rasheeed Adesokan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, the Oyo State Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Chairman of First Bank Plc, Prince Ajibola Afonja, a handful of Islamic clerics, local government caretaker committee chairmen in the state and members of the state executive council.
Ajimobi’s wife, Florence; the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli and another former SSG in the state who was also the immediate past Chairman, Odu’a Investment company Limited, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli; and the state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Muhammed Indabawa, also visited his residence.
It was learnt that his remains would arrive today for burial tomorrow in accordance with Islamic rites.
Preparations for the burial has already commenced just as information frittered that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who also doubles as the President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, NSCIA, was already with his corpse in London.
Arisekola, the NSCIA Deputy President, was said to enjoy far-reaching closeness with the Sultan and indeed other Emirate Councils and other Obas across the nation.
Governor Ajimobi, according to a brief statement by a former Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim wing), Alhaji Kamil Koyejo Oloso, who officially broke the news while addressing the crowd of mourners at his residence, had directed that a befitting burial be accorded Arisekola at a yet to be disclosed venue.
Governor Ajimobi in his condolence described the death of the Aare Musulumi as tragic, disheartening and a big blow, not only to Oyo State but also to the entire country.
The governor said this in a statement in Ibadan yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo.
He said that he received the news of the death of the business mogul and religious leader with shock and disbelief, saying that the passage marked the end of an era in the history of the state.
Governor Ajimobi described the late Arisekola- Alao as a devout Muslim, shrewd businessman and a philanthropist whose commitment to the cause of the downtrodden in the society was unequalled.
Although he said that the death of the late religious leader was painful and that the vacuum that would be created by his passage would be hard to fill, the governor, however, said that Arisekola-Alao lived a fulfilled life.
Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, also joined notable Nigerians in mourning the passing away of the businessman and Islamic leader. .
A statement by the Director of Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Alhaji Semiu Okanlawon, described Arisekola’s death as unfortunate.
Aregbesola said the death of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland only reinforced the essence of mankind’s existence, which is to lead a good life and render service to humanity before the necessary end (death) comes.
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun also described his death as painful as it occurred close to the Ramadan fast when his philanthropy would be most appreciated.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun said the Islamic leader lived a fulfilled life.
The governor, who commiserated with the NSCIA, family members of the deceased and his associates, urged them to take solace in the fact that the late Islamic leader led an exemplary life through his unwavering stance in the propagation of Islam.
Amosun prayed to Allah to grant his soul eternal rest and Aljannah firdaus.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar said the demise of Arisekola-Alao was a loss to Nigeria.
Atiku said in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja yesterday that he was shocked and saddened by the death of Arisekola- Alao.
The former Vice-President noted that the colourful and astute businessman was passionate about Nigeria.
He expressed his condolences to the family and people and government of Oyo State over the loss.
The Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, described his death as most shocking, devastating and saddening.
Lanlehin said in a statement by his media aide, Olawale Sadare, that Arisekola- Alao died at a time his good leadership qualities, management acumen and humanitarian services were most needed by the people from all facets of life.
Also, former chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said the death of late Arisekola-Alao had dealt a huge blow on Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.
A statement issued on behalf of the Osun State PDP governorship candidate by Diran Odeyemi, stated that the vacuum left by the late businessman would be difficult to fill.
He prayed for peaceful repose of his soul and urged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of selflessness of the late community leader.
The National Council of Muslim Youths Organisation, NACOMYO, said Arisekola-Alao was a great financier and Pillar of Islam whose vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill by any other Muslim within the Muslim Ummah.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, NACOMYO’s National President, Alhaji Kamal’deen Akintunde, said the Nigerian Muslim community had lost another MKO Abiola, who would be remembered “for his sense of humour and jocularity usually displayed at public functions”.
Akintunde said Nigerians, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, had benefited from Arisekola’s spirit of philanthropy, particularly through his sponsoring of Muslims on holy pilgrimage.
“Not less than a week ago, over 100 Muslim pilgrims returned from lesser hajj which he bankrolled. I am a beneficiary of such gesture, which I undertook last year.
“He had been sponsoring people for lesser hajj to witness the washing of Holy Kaaba in Saudi Arabia in every month of Shaaban,” he said.