Photos of dignitaries who attended Baba Yellow, Iba Abogunde's father's 8th day firdau ... and what was said

Photos of dignitaries who attended Baba Yellow, Iba Abogunde’s father’s 8th day firdau … and what was said

Abdulrazak BELLO

The 8th day firdau of Sheikh Sodiq Ajagbe Aminu a.k.a. Yellow, father of Iba Abogunde Tajudeen Aminu, on Saturday, at the Ogbomoso Old Eid Praying Ground, opposite LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, was a convergence of dignitaries including royal fathers and chiefs, Alfas, Imams, politicians, business leaders, professionals and the rank and file.

The high – profile crowd included traditional rulers such as the Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (represented by the Areago of Ogbomosoland High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin and other Ilu Chiefs), Onpetu of Ijeru Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran (represented by Otun Agoro Ijeru), Olugbon of Orile-Igbon Oba Francis Olusola Alao (represented), Aresa of Iresapupa Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye lll, Oloolo of Oolo Oba Olubunmi Ajayi, Onijabata of Jabata Oba Mustapha Alade Fadipe, among others.

Sheikh Habeebulahi Ahmad Ayilara (Chief Imam Aafin Ogbomoso), Alhaji Olohunlomerue from Ede Osun state, Alhaji Isiak Okumebo (Mufti of Oyo state), Mufasir of Ogbomoso, Alhaji Shittu Atunnise (Chief Imam Anwaruslam Ojajagun Ogbomoso), Alhaji Abdulganiyu Atanda Owodunni (Aare Musulumi of Ogbomosoland), Alhaji Aleem (Parakoyi of Ogbomoso) were among religious leaders at the occasion.

Senator Fatai Buhari (representing Oyo North senatorial district), Dr Saka Balogun (a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and Balogun-elect of Ogbomosoland), Hon Lamiju Alao-Akala (representing Ogbomoso North/South/Oriire federal constituency, (represented by Hon Rasak Atanda), Hon Isaiah Adegbite (chairman of Surulere local government) were among the political leaders at the occasion.

What was said

Imam Aafin Ogbomoso Ayilara admonished religious leaders (at the occasion) especially the visiting alfas and imams to get proper understanding of the “crisis in Ogbomoso” before making “uninformed comments” arguing “it has nothing to do with Islam or religion. It is greediness and godfatherism.” This is as he charged children of the deceased to continue to maintain good relationship with their father’s friends.

Alfa Olohunlomerue who said he represented Alhaji Taofeeq Azeez Akewugbagold and the body of League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland Edo and Delta, described the deceased as a steadfast religious leader who propagated Islam with devotion and dedication and converted many to Islam. He added, “When we die which is inevitable, our characters will be revealed. Whether you do well or not your persona will be unveiled and whether you are an alfa, imam, traditional ruler, whoever you are. We should all learn from the death of Baba Yellow. He propagated lslam bringing patience to bear. He exercised a lot of patience and never was propelled by acquisition of material things, he’s not an alfa who after delivering sermons would sell various products to make money. Let us learn from him.”

Dr. Fatai Buhari in his remark stressed, “No matter how powerful, everyone will taste death.”

He observed the photos in the programme depicted it all. “Baba’s photos from his childhood to old age show the journey of life and affirm the inevitability of death.”

Buhari then urged, “Alfas and Imams in Ogbomoso and Yorubaland generally, don’t become social media alfas. You fight a lot on social media. How many times do you see Baptists insulting Anglicans or Anglicans dragging Celes on social media? You will never see it! I challenge you to show me an instance. Yet they have their own internal crisis too, deep even than our own. It is a pity you only know of disputations verses.”

He added, “I do say it, no one can elevate Islam, Islam is already great on its own. You can only publicise yourself. At occasions like these rather than delivering Tafsirs that instill fears you conjure messages aimed at drawing money from people’s pockets. Let us be tolerant of ourselves.”

Iba Abogunde thanked the congregation for honouring his late father disclosing people have identified with them since his father’s demise, particularly hailing Aare Musulumi Owodunni, Dr Balogun, Senator Buhari, royal fathers, alfas and imams from all over Yorubaland and others for their support while they mourned their dead. He stated several Muslim societies like the Akbarudeen, Ansarudeen and Nurudeen even from Ivory Coast and Benin Republic attended. He went on to give gifts of Quran to various categories of people and societies.

Concluding meanwhile the royal father told Imam Habeeb Ahmad Ayilara: “Do not be shakened. The Quran is behind you. You have the back of all Ogbomosos. Remain steadfast.”