Truly the End of An Era: Makinde’s Commissioner Mourns Demise of 2 Staunch Supporter’s, Prays for repose of their souls

The Oyo State Commissioner for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Honourable (Mrs) Toyin Balogun, has expressed deep sorrow over the recent deaths of two prominent figures in the Ikolaba community of Ibadan North Local Government: the late Chief Imam of Ikolaba Central Mosque, Sheikh Alhaji Tirimisihu Akeusola Badmus, and the late Baale of the Ikolaba zone.

In a heartfelt statement which read thus;

It took me a while to react to the demise of the highly reverred late Chief Imam of Ikolaba Central Mosque of the Ward 5,Ibadan North Local Government ; Sheikh Alhaji Tirimisihu Akeusola Badmus because I was still in denial

It was difficult for me to process and accept his passing because though he had a common health challenge,he sounded fine when he called me less than 2 weeks ago

Less than a week prior to his demise,I received a call from Baba Imam as he’s fondly called ,he asked after my family’s welfare,jokingly asking if his two sons in my care,the Councillor of my Ward 5; Hon Hammed Ajayi and the Zonal Chairman of Ikolaba zone; Hammed Gbadamosi had delivered his greetings to me.

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He then asked if I had delivered the messages he sent me to deliver to His Excellency the Governor & His Excellency the Deputy Governor some weeks prior and also made a request on behalf of the Ikolaba Community

I reassured Baba Imam that the children and I were fine,that only one of his sons delivered his well wishes ,that I was not around but would see His Excellencies to deliver his messages and also discuss his request for the community with the Chairman on my return

We then bantered for some minutes and then he prayed for my children and I before terminating the call

Imagine my shock and grief when I received a call from one of his two wards in my care while the other sent me a message cos he couldn’t reach me,informing me of Baba Imam’s passing few days after our conversation.I felt hot and cold at the same time and it took me a while to come to terms with the fact that a true Servant of Allah( SWT) both in words and in deeds had left us to meet his Maker

Baba Imam was not just any religious leader,he was a godly,pious man,a close adviser and confidant to so many notables in Oyo State.He was a trusted advisor to the Aare Musulumi and many others,well respected for his warm and welcoming mien,deep spiritual insights,straightforward stance and maturity in the handling of sensitive issues.

The late Chief Imam was not only supportive of our party and it’s candidates,he had a soft spot for His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde and all the times we engaged,his conversation was always ended with profuse prayers for the continued success of His Excellency Governor Makinde’s government

Both Community Leaders( the late Chief Imam and the Baale)were well respected and held in very high esteem both within and outside the Ikolaba community

Baba Baale & Baba Imam’s deaths are truly the end of a notable era because not too long ago,we also lost the former Baale of Ikolaba zone;Late Alhaji Safiu Olaniran

Between the two of them,they wielded remarkable influence within the Ikolaba community

To understand how significant and impactful these 2 notable figures are,I will attempt to paint a vivid canvas of the strategic roles they played in the electoral victory of our candidates/party at the 2019 polls.

The ward 5 of Ibadan North local govt( the Joker in the Pack) is one of the most strategic wards in terms of population density and vote delivery.So also is the Ikolaba zone of the Ward 5 one of the heavy hitters vote volume wise

The electoral climate of 2019 was skewed against us at the level of the local govt election,largely because the father of the House of Assembly candidate of the opposition at the time owns the Maternity hospital where over 90 percent of Ikolaba zone youth were born.With that kind of situational influence,it was a formidable challenge that we were able to surmount with strategic positioning,political stratagems and to a huge extent,the unflinching support of the Chief Imam and the Baale,the two most notable influencers in the zone,who are now sadly,both late.

Reading the negative augury and implications of the situation for our candidate as the Director General for Women Mobilization for His Excellency’s campaign at the time and this being my home local govt,my team of women and I ran to these 2 notable influencers,all on our knees,soliciting their support

They both gave us their solemn word and commitment to rally support in the zone for our party and that was how God crowned our collective efforts with resounding victory

Our collective efforts backed by the support of both influencers who incidentally are relatives,enabled us to deliver the Ikolaba zone for our party.

It’s on this note of appreciation for both lives truly well spent that I have finally come to terms with their demise, thankful to the Almighty for granting us the privilege to have been blessed with the gift of these two very humble,very pleasant,very kind,very supportive and very fatherly servants of Allah ( SWT) who lived very positively impactful lives.

As the 8th Day Fidau Prayers are rendered today, It’s my fervent prayer made with a heavy heart but total submission to the Almighty that Allah( SWT) overlook their shortcomings,grant them both Aljanat Firdaus and grant their immediate families,extended families,the Ikolaba Community and indeed the entire Ibadan North and by extension the Oyo State Government the fortitude to bear an irreparable loss.