Are Musulumi
of Yoruba land and billionaire businessman, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, is
dead. Family sources told our correspondent that the religious leader died in
his London home on Wednesdaywhere he had been since last week Thursday. He died
on the day he was expected back in Nigeria. He was aged 69. The family source
said that the Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in
Nigeria did not show any sign of ill health, although he was said to have
embarked on the journey on medical grounds.
The executive
governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi described Arisekola’s death, as
tragic, disheartening and a big blow to the entire nation.
“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.
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 remarked.
Also, a former Vice
President, Atiku Abubakar, has said his demise was a loss to Nigeria.
Atiku said in a
statement by his media office in Abuja on Wednesday that he was shocked and
saddened by the death of Arisekola-Alao.
He noted that “the
colourful and astute businessman” was passionate about Nigeria.
“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,” Atiku said.
“I visited him
recently after the death of his wife and he hosted me to a lunch in his
palatial Ibadan home. He related well with all Nigerians,” the Turakin Adamawa
recalled.
