The Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo has led a top level Federal Government delegation to condoled with the family of late religious leader and business mogul, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao.
The Vice President, who was in Ibadan on Sunday on behalf of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, eulogized the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, whose death he described as a great loss not only to his family but to the government, good people of Oyo State and the country as a whole.
Arc Sambo said the late Arisekola was a devoted Muslim, who dedicated his God given endowment to the service of humanity, praying Almighty Allah to grant him Aljannah Firdaus, while also praying Almighty Allah to bless the family that he had left behind and grant them the fortitude to bear the great loss, saying “This great loss is not only for the family, but for you, the good people of Oyo State and indeed Nigeria in general.”
Vice President Sambo implored Nigerians particularly the younger generation to emulate the exemplary life he had led, maintaining that “he is a very good man, we have lost somebody that has served Islam, somebody that has done good deeds all his life, we pray Almighty Allah to continue to reward him with Aljannah Firdausi.
The Vice President delivered President Jonathan’s condolence letters to the government and the family of the late Arisekola Alao, who was also the Deputy Vice President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
The President in the letter, said he received the news of the death with deep sadness. He described the Late Arisekola Alao as a most accomplished businessman, respected religious leader and preeminent philanthropist whose several business concerns created jobs for numerous Nigerians. He said the departed left a rich legacy that all are very proud of. He enjoined all those that he had left behind to take solace in his accomplishments.
Earlier the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, expressed gratitude to President Jonathan and the good people of Nigeria for their condolences. He said the visit manifests the love and importance government attaches to the deceased.
Responding on behalf of the family, Isah Alao, one of the children of Late Arisekola Alao expressed gratitude to the President and the good people of Nigeria for the show of warm and heartfelt love to their late father and his family, stressing that no amount of words can convey their appreciation.
Present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo, Chief Bode George, Senator Philip Aduda and other several dignitaries and family members of the deceased.
