IN line with his principle of being at peace with all men, and more importantly his philanthropic posture, hundreds of sympathizers including politicians, artisans, physically challenged, yesterday thronged the Oluwo
kekere residence of the late business mongul, Are Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Abdul-azeez Arisekola Alao, following news of his demise yesterday.
He was aged 69 years, and would have clocked 70 on February 14 next year.
Wailings of most beneficiaries of his generosity rent the serene environment of the multi-billion naira residence.
Among the early callers were the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, Speaker House of Assembly, Alhaja Mulikat Sunmonu, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, Local government chairmen, Professor Daud Noibi, Chairman, Muslim Society of South West Nigeria, and so on.
Arisekola Alao’s younger brother, Alhaji Abu Arisekola, was too shocked to utter any comments.
When Chat212 sought for his comment, he simply said, “gentlemen, I can’t say anything now. I am short of words.”
The governor got to the residence around 4.25pm, while his deputy came in about 25minutes later.
News of his death
When news of his death filtered in, his long-term photographer who later became a confidant to the late industrialist, Mr. Najeem Raheem, said people were just peddling the rumour only to confirm later that the news was true.
Most people did not know of his death until some minutes before 4 pm.
Some women who relied heavily on the late Islamic cleric for survival said; “Death has punished us in Ibadan. There is no Ibadan person who can fit into the shoes of Alhaji Arisekola. You forefathers, you are sleeping too much.”
Governor Ajimobi’s comments
Governor Ajimobi described his death as tragic, disheartening and a big blow, not only to Oyo State but also to the entire country.
The governor in a statement, said he received the news of the death of the business mogul and religious leader with shock and disbelief, saying that the passage of Alhaji Arisekola-Alao marked the end of an era in the history of the state.
“Aare cannot die as those who lived the kind of life he lived, with imprints in the lives of millions of people, never die. He lived a life that was devoted to the lives of others. It is indeed the end of an era for us in Ibadan and Nigeria in general,” the governor said.
Governor Ajimobi described the late Alhaji Arisekola-Alao as a devout Muslim, shrewd businessman and a philanthropist whose commitment to the cause of the downtrodden in the society was unequalled.
“Uncle Arisekola-Alao was an upright, consistent and principled man. He called a spade by its name without minding whose ox was gored. Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland was also a pillar of support to our administration whose wise counsel had helped tremendously in the success story so far recorded by our government.
“He was a fulfilled man, fulfilled in all his earthly assignments. I am sure he died very happy with himself. Besides, Arisekola_Alao also used his God-given endowment to touch the lives of several millions of people. He was a source of joy to those who came across him.”
He commiserated with the family, friends, associates, religious leaders, the Muslim Ullammahs and indeed, the entire people of the state and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
He urged them to take solace in the imperishable life devoted to humanity that he lived.
Burial Arrangements
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the President-General for the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, NSCIA, was said to be with Arisekola’s corpse in London.
Governor Ajimobi, according to a brief information by a former Chairman, Oyo state Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim wing), Alhaji Kamil Koyejo Oloso, who officially broke the news of the demise of Arisekola while addressing the mammoth crowd of mourners at the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland’s residence, had directed that a befitting burial be accorded Arisekola at a yet to be disclosed venue.
Twenty-four hours before his demise, Arisekola had visited one of his children who newly bought a house in Paris on merriment before he headed back to London.
Jonathan, Atiku, govs, others mourn
Reacting to his death; President Goodluck Jonathan said who said he would be remembered as great entrepreneur, noted that he “received with great shock and sadness, news of the death of the renowned Nigerian businessman and religious leader, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao.
The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr, Rueben Abati, said “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the Arisekola-Alao family as well as the people of Ibadan and Oyo State on the passing away of the famed Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.
“As they mourn the famous entrepreneur, community and religious leader, President Jonathan urges his family, relatives, friends, associates and dependants to be comforted by the fact that Alhaji Arisekola-Alao lived a very fulfilled life, and in passing on, leaves behind a legacy of significant and commendable achievements.
The President noted that “Alhaji Arisekola-Alao will always be remembered and honoured, especially for the remarkable entrepreneurial skills with which he established many successful businesses and created jobs for numerous Nigerians, as well as for his religious leadership and philanthropic gestures.”
It was a loss to Nigeria – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said the demise of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, was a loss to Nigeria.
Atiku said in a statement said he was shocked and saddened by the death of Arisekola-Alao, saying “Arisekola was a devout Muslim and community leader.
He was generous and loved his people; the quality of his humanity and compassion was unprecedented. The country will surely miss him. I visited him recently after the death of his wife and he hosted me to lunch in his palatial Ibadan home. He related well with all Nigerians,” the Turakin Adamawa recalled.
He expressed his condolences to the family and people and government of Oyo state over the loss
Arisekola’s death unfortunate — Aregbesola
On his part, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State said his death was unfortunate, noting his death only reinforced the essence of mankind’s existence, “which is to lead a good live and render service to humanity before the necessary end (death) comes. His death is sad, shocking and unfortunate. He led a good life, a life full of positive examples. Alhaji Arisekola Alao was a notable figure, successful businessman, a consistent philanthropist and community leader.
“As Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, he demonstrated his love for peace as a religious leader and led a God-fearing life. On behalf of my family, the people and the state of Osun I convey our heart-felt condolence to the immediate and extended family of the later business doyen, the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the entire Muslim Ummah and the people of the state.”
Arisekola-Alao lived a fulfilled life, says Amosun
In the same vein, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, expressed deep shock over his death, saying however that he lived a fulfilled life.
Amosun in a statement said “It is most unfortunate that Alhaji Ariselola-Alao would die at a time when a lot of Muslims would have benefited from his generousity, but Almighty Allah knows best.”
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..
Great loss to Nigerians —NACOMYO
Also, National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations, NACOMYO, described his death as a great loss to Nigerians.
The group National President, Kamaldeen Akintunde in a statement in Abeokuta said the Muslim community had lost a great financier and a pillar of Islam whose act of benevolence and charity cut across tribal and religious boundaries .
The statement said “Several Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnicity have benefited from his largesse of philanthropism .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. In the last 15 years Are had been sponsoring hundreds of Nigerian Muslims to be part of exercise. We have lost another MKO Abiola. The vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill. I can’t think of any Nigerian Muslim pillar who can readily fix and replace this phinthropist, whoe act of benevolence caught across.”.
Similarly, A senior Advocate, Mallam Yusuf Ali, described his death as blow to Islam, and business entrepreneur in Nigeria.
