The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Saturday appealed to Oyo State government to immortalise the late Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao.Abubakar, who was in Ibadan to commiserate with the family and the state government, said though Arisekola-Alao was dead his legacies should not be forgotten.
The Sultan, who is the President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Nigeria had lost a prominent son but not lost his spirit.
“Oyo state government should immortalise him because people like that should not be forgotten in a hurry,’’ he said.
He said the deceased would be difficult to replace in Nigeria because he dedicated his life in the service of his creator and mankind.
The Sultan, said he saw Arisekola-Alao moments before his death in London, and added “if you see Aare’s lifeless body in London, you will know that this life is nothing’’.
Abubakar urged all to do good all times and impact positively on mankind as death was the only thing that was certain.
“Aare is gone but his legacies are there. We are not mourning Aare but celebrating him. It was indeed an end of an era.’’
He urged the children to remain united and follow the legacies left behind by their late father.
Abubakar also advised politicians to imbibe the spirit of love and brotherhood left behind by the deceased with all the political actors irrespective of their political leanings.
The Sultan was received by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, his Deputy, Moses Alake, Speaker, the Speaker, Monsurat Sunmonu, and two former governors, Dr Omololu Olunloyo and Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The others were Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, NSCIA Secretary-General; Prof. Daud Noibi, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria; Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Chairman, Muslim Community among others.