By Olumide Lawal
In death as in life, the legacies of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke continue to endure and wax stronger by the day. The name, Adeleke comes before the bearer. The personality that answered the name came many years ahead of his time. He lived up fully to the billing and ranking that his stars brought with his birth. The generalisimo of Osun politics that he was, comes round once in a lifetime to his environment of birth.
His legacies in various forms are been built up by his nuclear and political families, who continue outstanding contributions to make the name – Isiaka Adeleke appear as if he was still around. The Adeleke University, of which he was the First Chancellor, has its imposing and edifying Senate Building named after him.
Aside Senator Isiaka Adeleke Senate Building, an annual lecture in his honour has been instituted. The maiden edition of the lecture came up on April 22, 2018 at the first anniversary of his death, with Professor Agbede as guest lecturer. Efforts are in top gear, by the management of the university to come up with his biography as a lasting tribute to his memory. This is to bring to the fore, once more, the need to have an Isiaka Adeleke Political Museum, where all the peculiar and special features of his political career will be assembled for generations yet unborn to catch a glimpse. His cone-shaped cap, gold-rimmed glasses, intellectual works, – comprising of landmark speeches, lectures and interviews will be under oneroof. This is what obtains at Ikenne residence of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory. This is to hope, that the nuclear family will give this noble proposal a thought for the sake of posterity, because for our today, Senator Isiaka Adeleke gave all of himself, to enable the people live a purposeful and meaningful life.
That generosity flows freely in the Adeleke Family was not by accident. The foundation was laid by Senator Adeleke grandfather, Baba Mohammed Awwal Adeleke, who fondly helped in propagating Islam in the 1930s. Impeachable source has it, that Papa Muhammed Awwal Adeleke, took it upon himself in providing free meals on daily basis to the Arabic Students of late Alfa Zulukananih Gegelose Arabic School, in Ede in the 30s, in order to encourage the students to attend classes regularly.
Alfa Zulukananih, was so over-whelmed by late Senator Isiaka Adeleke grandfather generosity to his Arabic School, that he offered ceaseless prayers for Pa Mohammed Awwal Adeleke, that by God’s grace, there would emerge among his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, notable and eminent sons and daughters, that will fly the name – ADELEKE gloriously across the world. That prayer has been more than answered. There came up, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, Ademola Adeleke, Captain Kunle Adeleke, David Adeleke (Davido). So, for Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the subject matter of this episode, generosity and philantrophism were inborn. Same goes for Dr. ’DejiAdeleke, who has over the years offered his wide shoulders for tens of thousands of less priviledged people to lean on.
Though Isiaka ventured hard to come back and serve the good people of Osun as their governor, an ambition which his transition put paid to, it is to the glory of God, that one of his own, Senator Ademola Adeleke is trudging on and sustaining the political legacy. Kudos to the good people of the state for extending the love they had for the family.
The Ede Country Home residence, where Isiaka Adeleke breathed his last, should be preserved for posterity. All avenues should be continually employed to immortalize him. To the glory of Almighty Allah, the Senator (Alhaji) Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Mosque, which was commissioned at his 63rd Birthday ceremony on January 15, 2018, continues to attract hundreds of worshippers at the weekly Jumat Services. May all invocations offered at the mosque serve as forgiveness of his sins and a place in Aljanat Fridaus.
As his birthday, always coincides with the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Senator Adeleke’s heart in his illuminated grave, goes out to thousands of our gallant soldiers and other Services that are fighting gallantly to put an end to all forms of insurgency in the land. His soul prays for their safety and repose of the souls of those who died in the patriotic cause of keeping Nigeria united.
Since your glorious transition, the thought of you during the day, brings you joyfully to people in their dreams. Nothing can take you out of our hearts. We cherish and adore you for been there for us throughout your lifetime. Undoubtedly, your transition was distressing to a lot of people, but your good works and love for all, comfort us. Senator Adeleke, you loomed larger, than just been an Ede or Osun or Nigeria man. You were a citizen of the world. Your many firsts stood you out. The first executive governor of Osun, the first Asiwaju of Edeland, the first Chancellor Adeleke University, the only Erinlomo of Osun politics. A man with good and caring heart, who throughout his lifetime never bore malice against anyone.
To those of us living, let us learn a good lesson from Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s life of humanity and unconditional care for the less priviledged and open our hearts and minds to those truly in need. Let us continue to remember ‘SERUBAWON’, as a total man of peace and emulate him as such.
Rest in peace, Isiaka Adeleke – the Central issue in Osun Politics. A reference point in Nigeria Polity, as an effervescent, colourful, charismatic and elegant politician of no mean repute.
HAPPY POST HUMOUS 64thBIRTHDAY SIR,.
- OLUMIDE LAWAL, was Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
