19th June, 2014
Eromosele Ebhomele
Tributes have continued to pour in for the late Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao, a popular businessman and Muslim leader in the western part of Nigeria who died on Wednesday of colon cancer.
Arisekola, who was the Deputy President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, died at the age of 69.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, where Arisekola lived the major part of his life, called him a fulfilled man.
The governor who posted his condolence message on Twitter, said the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland “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 endowments to touch the lives of several millions of people. He was a source of joy to those who came across him.”
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos said Arisekola would be sorely missed for his philanthropy, statesmanship and entrepreneurial leadership.
In a message of condolence to the family of the deceased, Governor Fashola said the vacuum created by the death of the frontline businessman and religious leader would be very hard to fill in Oyo State and Nigeria, in general.
While condoling with the government and people of Oyo State, Governor Fashola said the indelible mark left by Alhaji Arisekola in the field of commerce and industry and the contributions he made to the economic development of the Southwest region and Nigeria in general would never be forgotten in a hurry.
For the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Abdul Jelili Adesiyan, the late Arisekola Alao lived an exemplary life.
The minister described him as a philanthropist who positively impacted the lives of many Nigerians regardless of religious, political and ethnic affiliations.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Wale Akinola, the minister said that the deceased made a mark in business, politics and religion, adding that his philanthropic gestures would be greatly missed by his immediate family, the people of Ibadan, his home town and the country.
“I received the news of the death of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao, with a rude shock, especially now that his kind gesture is mostly needed as the holy month of Ramadan is fast approaching,” he said.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State expressed shock at the passage of the Muslim leader in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama.
“It is most unfortunate that Alhaji Ariselola-Alao would die at a time when a lot of Muslims would have benefitted from his generosity, but Almighty Allah knows best,” he said.
Earlier, President Goodluck Jonathan, in a statement by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, expressed shock at the passing of Arisekola Alao.
“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.,” Abati stated.
In his own statement, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the death of Arisekola as a loss to 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,” Abubakar stated.
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said Arisekola was a great man.
In a statement by his media aide, Sunday Dare, Tinubu said: “that such a great man like this who still had so much to offer his people and country could die so suddenly is painful and a huge loss.”
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, called the late Arisekola a bridge builder in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba.