DEATH OF AARE ARISEKOLA ALAO

18^th June, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

DEATH OF AARE ARISEKOLA ALAO: END OF AN ERA

Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao, the Aaare Musulumi of Yorubaland and Vice-President, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for Southern Nigeria died today at the age of 69.

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is saddened by his departure from this world. He was a shining model for all and a leader of exemplary qualities.

 

Arisekola was a deeply religious man. He was a lover and promoter of peace. He was a philanthropist nulli secundus, a humanist primus inter pareil and a patriot numero uno.  He was kind to a fault and he was also a very pious man.

 

As a committed Muslim, he single-handedly funded the propagation of Islam in the whole South-West of Nigeria for several decades. As a philanthropist, his generousity knew no religious or ethnic bounds. He fed thousands on a daily basis without asking for anything in return. He was a true friend of the poor. He loved the city of Ibadan with immense passion, Oyo State with great zeal and Nigeria with an unusual patriotism.

Unlike many other wealthy Nigerians, he rose from a very poor background. With little education, he built a great business empire by dint of hardwork and transparency. His business acumen and fame started manifesting from the 50s.

The death of Aare Arisekola Alao has left a mighty lacuna which may be difficult to fill for a very long time.

MURIC commiserates with the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria and the Nigerian people at large. We pray that Almighty Allah will forgive Aare Arisekola, shower His Mercy on him and grant him Al-Jannah al-firdaus. We also pray that Allah will give his family the strength to bear this great loss.  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)