Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has described the death of former Senate Leader Senator Olusola Saraki
as a great loss to the nation.
He said the death of the great politician and elder statesman “occurred when we still need his wealth of experience.”
Senator Ladoja praised the deceased’s concern for the unity of Nigeria and growth of democracy.
He prayed that Allah should grant the deceased eternal rest and his family, Kwara State people and other Nigerians the fortitude to bear the loss.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described the passing away of the Second Republic Senate Majority Leader, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, as a colossal loss, not only to the people of Kwara, but also to the entire country.
The governor, in a statement issued in Ibadan yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said the news of the death of the ‘Strongman of Kwara Politics’ came to him as a shock. He described it as unfortunate.
He said the people of Kwara State and indeed other Nigerians would sorely miss the political sagacity, organisational ability and administrative wizardry of the late Dr. Saraki, which placed him above his peers in the political circle.
“Dr. Saraki was a shining example of humility and philanthropy, as he shared virtually everything he had with the needy, irrespective of where they came from. “Though he never held any political office since 1983 when he left the Senate, he endeared himself to the hearts of Kwarans, thus becoming a rallying point in the politics of the state.
“Dr. Saraki left an indelible imprint in the sand of time. The vacuum created by his death will be difficult to fill,’’ the governor said.
While commiserating with the Saraki family, the government and people of Kwara State on the demise of the elder statesman, Governor Ajimobi urged them to seek solace in the fact that the medical doctor-turned-politician lived a fulfilled life and served God and humanity.
He prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.
Lobi Stars’ defender, Anthony Agbaji said Sunshine Stars failed title chase at the CAF Champions League is a blessing in disguise for his side.
Sunshine Stars were bundled out of Africa’s elite clubs competition by the Egyptian giants, Al Ahly which confirmed the Makurdi-based side ticket for the CAF Confederation Cup campaign next year.
Lobi finished third on the domestic league log behind champions, Kano Pilllars and Enugu Rangers and had lived anxiously waiting to know the fate of the Akure Gunners on the continent.
This is due to the continental body’s provision that allows Cup holders to defend their title and had Sunshine Stars won that would have knocked out Lobi Stars from Africa’s duty next year.
Agbaji said they had wished the nation’s campaigners well in their attempt to win laurel for the country but with the elimination their ticket at the continent has been sealed and delivered.
“We’ve always been praying for their victory at the CAF Champions League but their loss has become our gain.
“We’re excited with the new opportunity to campaign at the continent, so their exit is more or less a blessing in disguise for us.
“Now we’ve to up our trainings and preparations as well as act henceforth as a continental team,” said Agbaji to supersport.com.
The Lobi strongman said his side will meet the expectations of Nigerians at the continent.
“We’ll surely meet the expectation of every Nigerian. Definitely, the trophy won’t elude us. The players are eager and roaring to play at the continent, I’m sure with the renewed spirit in us the title will be ours,” he said.
Agbaji is positive Lobi will reclaim the league title that eluded them in the out gone 2011/2012 NPL season.
“Our target is to win the league title in the upcoming season, at least, to make up for the narrow miss in the last season. I’m positive next season will be my side harvest of trophies,” he enthused.
Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit described the exit of the pioneer National President, Dr Adegbite as a colossal loss to the nation.
Amir (president) of the society, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen, described the late Adegbite as a selfless Nigerian who was always ready to assist the youths.
“Death, he said, was no doubt a debt owed by mankind, but as believers we take solace in the fact that late Alhaji Adegbite lived a life full of dedication to the course of his creator.”
According to Badrudeen, History will not forget late Adegbite’s remarkable role in the country where he demonstrated commitment, selflessness and humility in the manner he handled issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians.
Also speaking, National (Amir) President of The Muslim Congress (TMC) Luqman AbdurRaheem said Nigeria has lost a rare colossus, an experienced spokesperson, a fearless public affairs commentator, an astute orator, a patriot, a reconciliator, a brilliant constitutional lawyer, a caring father, a caller to the path of Allah and an expert in Islamic Advocacy.
AbdurRaheem enjoined Muslim professionals to imbibe the glittering feats and uncommon achievements of Adegbite in the field of Islamic activism.
“We shall forever miss his face at Islamic functions. He has gone and gone forever, but his legacies of one indivisible Nigeria and Unity of the Muslims linger on. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite was born great, nurtured great, occupied great positions and died as a great colossus,” he said.
OSUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Lagos Speaker State Adeyemi Ikuforiji and the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State, Mohammed Dele Belgore, SAN, have described the death of the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite, as a rude shock.
Aregbesola said Dr. Adegbite, as a devout Muslim and fervent believer, was one of the leading lights of Islam and the legal profession in Nigeria.
According to him, Adegbite was a guiding light in many fields such as law, academics and religion when he lived, saying the deceased was for numerous years the spokesperson of Islam in Nigeria as the scribe of NSCIA the religion’s highest decision making body.
His words: “A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the defunct Western Region, Dr. Lateef Adegbite was an illustrious citizen of this country. He was always ready to offer sincere advice to successive governments on peaceful co-existence and religious harmony in the country.
“His impact as a leading religious leader transcended the boundary of Islam as he was always involved and contributing positively as a member of national inter-religious council at the highest level in the country.
Belgore said Adegbite’s death is a “minus to the country’s peacemaking efforts.
A statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, quoted Belgore implored Nigerians to use the occasion of his death to rededicate themselves to peaceful coexistence.
“This is because all of us will come up for some appraisals when we breathe our last. Ultimately whatever we do for our common humanity, be it good or bad, will be talked about. Today everybody, Christians and Muslims, is talking about the late legal practitioner cum Islamic leader being a bridge-builder and a man of history,” he said.
Ikuforiji has sympathised with Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, the indigene of the state, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and all Muslims in the country, on the death of Dr. AbdulLateef Adegbite.
A statement by his media aide, Rotimi Adebayo, the Speaker said: “ The sudden death of Dr. Adebite is indeed a rude shock to me personally, my family and all my colleagues here at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“Notwithstanding the fact that Dr. Adegbite lived a good life and died at 79, his demise is indeed a very sad and painful one, not only to entire Muslim community in Nigeria, but also to the government and people of Ogun State, and indeed all those who had the opportunity of knowing him, or those whose paths crossed his way while here with us.”
Ikuforiji described Adegbite as an exemplary character, going by the quality time he devoted to serve the Almighty God, “unlike many highly educated, successful, and influential people who never devote quality time to the Almighty Allah.