Prominent Islamic clerics in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday
converged on the country home of late strongman of the state politics, Dr.
Abubakar Olusola Saraki, in Ilorin to explain why the Saraki dynasty will never
go into extinction in the state and Nigeria in general.
The clerics spoke at the seventh remembrance prayer for the
late kingmaker of Kwara politics and Second Republic Senate Leader, Saraki, held
at Charity Home in Ilorin, the state capital.
The clerics, including the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh
Mohammed Bashir Salihu; Sheik Suleiman Dan Borno and Sheikh AbdulRasaqImam
Aduagba, were unanimous in their views that the late Saraki's philanthropist
gesture and kindness towards the commoners, especially the aged, were
legendary.
The Chief Imam of Ilorin noted that Saraki's contributions
to the growth and development of Ilorin and the old Kwara State remained
unbeatable.
He recalled how the late politician erected water tanks in
every part of Ilorin metropolis to provide water for the people; construct
bridges across the popular Amule River of Ilorin to aid vehicular movement at a
time when he had not even ventured into partisan politics.
Quoting copiously from the Holy Qur'an, Imam Salihu said:
"Saraki will forever live in the minds of the people, especially, the poor
and the aged, who he spent all his wealth on during his lifetime.”
The Chief Imam, who said Saraki was more of a philanthropist
than a politician, added that "Baba Saraki's kindness towards the
commoners was not seasonal. He always attended to the needs of his people regardless
of whether it was time for politics or not."
He admonished Nigerian politicians to emulate the Saraki's
exemplary conduct by spending their money to assist the less privileged members
of the society, noting that the government could not alone provide the needs of
the people.
Sheikh Aduagba, in a brief sermon, noted that Saraki lived
for the commoners, adding: “This is the reason Saraki’s name keeps resonating
in both the local and national affairs." He noted with
delight that Saraki's heir, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was following the footsteps of
his father in making the comfort of the commoners the fulcrum of his political
endeavour.
The prayer session was well attended by the political
associates and supporters of the immediate past Senate President, Dr. Bukola
Saraki.
The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Mr. Kola Shittu; the Chairman of ABS Mandate office advisory council, AbdulRaheem
Olesin, and the Director-General of the office, Musa Abdullahi, and the only
PDP member in the state House of Assembly, Hon. AbdulRaheem Agboola, were some
of the dignitaries who attended the prayer.
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