A former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; the Chief of Staff to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the state, Chief Bisi Ilaka, scores of captains of industry, clerics, traditional rulers and career officials at the federal and state levels last weekend converged for the 40 days fidau for the Iyalode Adinni of Fiditiland, Alhaja Nimotallahi Alli.
Alhaja Alli died on May 23 at the age of 80. She was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
At the 40 days prayer held at Olivet Baptist High School, Fiditi, Oyo, renowned cleric, Sheikh Muhydeen Bello, who gave a lecture on the importance of parents, described death as the inevitable end of every mortal, saying “all souls shall taste death.”
Bello, who was flanked by the Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mos’oud Adebayo Ajokidero and scores of other alfas and imams, said Alhaja Alli would be remembered for her selfless support for the community and all the people who came across her.
The cleric asked the children of the deceased to continue their mother’s duties to Islam and the people around her and said that the deceased would be missed for her services to humanity.
The Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Adebayo Ajokidero, led special fidau prayers for the repose of the departed as the clerics beseeched God to forgive her of her trespasses and grant her paradise.
Senator Ladoja, in his tribute, described Alhaja Alli as a devout Muslim who devoted her life to the service of God, her children (both biological and otherwise) and humanity in general.
“These good attributes are enough to ensure her place in Aljanah Firdaous. May the children live up to her expectation,” the former governor said.
A former Secretary to the State Government and 2019 governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Chief Sharafadeen Alli wrote: “We commiserate with Alhaji Ademola Alli and the entire family on the demise of Alhaja. Mama was a precious gift to mankind. Her life had been wrapped in grace, her death encapsulated in glory.
“And hopefully, her eternal life shall be savoured in pleasure. May Allah grant Mama unconditional mercy and admit her into the best place in paradise.”
The deceased’s first child, Alhaji Wasiu Ademola Alli, like other children, described his mother as one in a million, saying she would be missed for her counsel and care.
According to Alhaji Alli, fondly called AWA, “a golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. It broke my heart to see you go. It is so sad that you left without telling me bye. No matter what I do to move on from this pain, deep down inside, I will always know that I will never get to hug you again.
“They say that memories are golden, well maybe that’s true, but I never wanted memories, I only wanted you but Allah knows why. Your life was love and labour, your love for family was true, you did your best for all of us, my lips cannot speak how I loved you, my heart cannot tell what to say, but Almighty Allah knows how we miss you in our home that is lonely today.
“I will always remember you, Maami. I miss you. I will greatly miss you, Iya Wese! Almighty Allah grant you Aljanah Firdaous. Amin.”
and then