ISIAKA ADETUNJI ADELEKE: FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
BY OLUMIDE LAWAL
The First Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Alani Adeleke, came around as a distinguished Nigerian, who traversed the world like a colossus. This great personality, who was different things to different classes of people, was humility-personified. But essentially, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke is a man of the people. He lived his life for them, and they in turn gave everything to appreciate the kind gestures he extended to them. This was shown by the fantastic show of sympathy and commiseration they extended to him when he transisted to glory on April 23, 2017.
My boss, brother, benefactor and great friend, was an accomplished man in all facets of life. This was one great personality that will forever be remembered for his large heartedness, milk of human kindness in his veins. A charming personality, very rare to come by among his peers. He loomed larger than life. He radiated elegance, charisma and dignified carriage, that was second to none. I stand to be corrected.
Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke is simply Mr. generosity. A great administrator and astute politician, that played politics without bitterness. He abhorred violence all through his life. He came into politics to better the lives of the down-troden masses. He was never tired of doing that very cheerfully, until he breathed his last. To all those, who heard of his sudden death on April 23, 2017, it was a great disbelief and shock, and when the reality dawned on us all, it was a spontaneous flow of hot tears, that rolled out of the eyes of his teeming voiceless supporters, admirers and well-wishers.
Nigerians from all walks of life thronged Senator Isiaka Adeleke Ede country home, to bade him farewell. His unexpected transition but glorious exit and kingly burial on April 24 2017, was second to none in the anal of history of eminent Nigerians in this part of the world. Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke good deeds to all manners of people while he was living, turned out to be great testimonies, that many believed have secured a place for him in Aljana Fridaous.
To those of us living, Senator Isiaka Adeleke is smiling in his grave, though we could not see him.
Whatever, were the unjust contedictory remarks by whomsoever, the fact remains, that the leader of Osun politics, that Senator Isiaka Adeleke was, had the world stands still for him in the course of his triumphant exit to the great beyond. It will remain a reference point forever. Even the atmospheric air stopped blowing momentarily. The creatures of all descriptions found themselves in awe of a departed hero of Osun politics.
Take it or leave it, many will testify to the fact, that there can never be another Isiaka Adeleke, at least in our own generation. I personally enjoyed an excellent working relationship with distinguished Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, spanning 25years, all of which were laden with successful career outing on my part as his media consultant. There was never a dull moment in our inter-personal relationship. I shall forever miss the sweet company of a great boss.
While he was the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke got me appointed as Executive Chairman, Directorate of Information, Public Relation and Think Tank in the Governor’s office, just by writing my appointment letter by long hand using a ruled A4 paper. That was the depth of friendship and trust, that existed between us.
I am not the only beneficiary of his kind gesture, many Ede indigenes, who are today Directors in the Local Government Service Commission of Osun State, would testify to how, Senator Isiaka Adeleke got them appointed into the Commission in a jiffy. He extended love and care to the less-priveledged in such a way that, you only need to knock at his door and you will leave happier than you came in. Such attestation has not stopped coming from thousands of such beneficiaries since his glorious transition. The Asiwaju of Edeland was a source of inspiration to the youth, many of whom he empowered for skills acquisition. A colorful politician of no mean repute, that Senator Isiaka Adeleke was, made many young people took a foray into partisan politics and became success stories in their own right. The sudden death of Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke has created a big vacuum in the political arena. He left a big shoe behind. Senator Isiaka Adeleke sojourn here on this transient world was remarkable and positively eventful, to the extent, that many had wished death should have spared him and take them away, so that he could continue with impacting resourcefully on the lives of the down-trodden masses of our people.
For the amiable, selfless and consummate politician, that Senator Isiaka Adeleke was, many will remember him as God-sent, the type of which are very rare to come by. Their type comes once in a generation. A thorough family man, Senator Isiaka Adeleke was an outstanding father and husband not only to his biological children, but to many outside there, whom he placed his generosity at their beck and call. The first executive governor of Osun State believed in the policy of live and let others enjoy life more abundantly. He lived a very humble but distinguished life as exemplified in his simple and non-materialistic acquisition of vain-glorious worldly materials. His Ede country home, is a home to all and sundry, whether low or mighty. Knock at his bedroom door and “come in” was always the next word from Senator Isiaka Adeleke. No privacy. His life and properties were for the people with whom he shared all without complaints. The man of the people deserves the best of accolades from all and sundry. The sweet memory of Senator Isiaka Adeleke lingers on reservedly and honorably in the hearts of his numerous admirers.
The mere mention of the name Isiaka Adeleke, will forever attracts tears to flow freely from the eyes of his teeming well-wishers from across the world. The First Executive Governor of Osun State, was first among equals in the political firmament of Osun State, no matter what anybody or group of people may want to say to the contrary. He carried a niche for himself. He employed his philantrophic gestures to make life worth living for countless numbers of people. He built the solid foundation on which Osun State stands today.
For the traditional forty days of mourning, it has been stream of symphatisers from across the globe, who were coming to give Senator Isiaka Adeleke the honour and respect that he richly deserved at death, because he lived his life for others to break even.
To his immediate family, I send deep condolence. For the traditional forty days of mourning, we shared together a moment of deep grief, which we bore with calmness and trust in God, believing strongly, that Almighty God is the greatest comforter and consoler. He shall not forsake the Adeleke family in particular and others outside there in general. God the ultimate healer of such a wound, occasioned by the sudden death of our own beloved Senator Isiaka Adeleke will bring succor to all of us, as we shall continue forever to remember him for all the good works he symbolized, while he was on this divide with us. An harmless, forthright, outstanding, loving and grassroot citizen of the world has gone to rest with his creator. Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, your dis-arming smile shall keep us going and strong.
In the words of Dr ‘Deji Adeleke, “with thanksgiving to Almighty God for a life well spent by our beloved son, husband and brother- Senator Isiaka Adeleke and in total submission to his supreme will, we leave everything to God and we rest our case”. This is very consoling. May God Almighty grant Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Aljanat Fridaous. Goodbye and goodnight, my boss, brother and great friend.
OLUMIDE LAWAL
Special Adviser (Media Publicity)
To Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke
