Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Monday disclosed that the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao, would be immortalized through the naming of an important institution in the state after the late business mogul and Islamic leader.
He made the disclosure in Ibadan while receiving the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who was in his office to condole with him over the death of the late philanthropist.
Governor Ajimobi said that the late Aare Musulumi epitomized service to humanity as he lived his life for both the rich and the poor, adding that the people of Oyo State in particular and Nigerians as a whole would continue to remember him for his philanthropic gesture.
He said that Alhaji Arisekola-Alao was very close to his administration and was a pillar of support to his government.
According to the governor, the late Aare Musulumi deserved the honour for his contributions to the social, economic and religious development of the state and Nigeria.
“He deserved the honour because he represented what many of us will like to be. As a kind-hearted individual, we will continue to remember him.
“Aare was not the richest man in Nigeria but he helped the rich and neither was he the poorest man in Nigeria but he helped the poor; he was also not a politician but politicians curried his favour. We take solace in the fact that a man that lived his life serving the people has been greatly honoured by all eminent Nigerians.
“He was very close to this administration; he was a pillar of support, a philanthropist of all philanthropists and a foremost Islamic leader. We will always remember him.
In his remarks, the former Vice President said that Nigeria had lost one of its prominent leaders in all aspects of human endeavour such as business, religious and community development.
“It is a personal loss to me; he is not only a loss to you and Oyo State but a loss to the whole country,’’ Alhaji Atiku said.
Governor Ajimobi also received members of the Council of Obas from Osun State led by the Olufon of Ifon Orolu, Oba Moruf Magbagbeola who were in his office to condole with him over the death of Alhaji Arisekola-Alao.