Arisekola Was A Caring Community Leader-Buhari

By Chuks Ehirim
Former Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress[APC], Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has described late Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola –Alao as a man who would be remembered as a caring community leader and one who lived a unique life.
In a condolence message to the family of the late Aare Muslimi of Yorubaland signed by Gen. Buhari’s Secretary, Public Affairs, Ya’u Shehu Darazo, a copy of which was given to this reporter, the former Head of State said he received the news of Arisekola’s passing away ”with deep shock”.
He added that “his death has created yet another gap in the economic and socio-religious history of our dear country Nigeria”.
He pointed out that the man was a philanthropist par excellence, adding that “he used his influence as a friend of almost all successive administrations to promote understanding and bridge building across the various tendencies in the country”.
Buhari maintained that the man “would be remembered as a caring community (leader), devoted Muslim who dedicated his time and wealth to the promotion and propagation of Islam. He left at a time when his service to his fatherland is most needed. Our country is today faced with the greatest challenge ever,of ethno-religious conflicts, insurgencies and poverty to which the likes of Aare would have been part of the solution drive”.
He commiserated with Arisekola’s family, “Governor and the people of Oyo State, the Muslim Umma and indeed all Nigerians over the death of a patriotic illustrious son”.