Isiaka Adeleke: Forever in Our Hearts

My boss, brother, benefactor and great friend, was an accomplished man in all facets of life. This is 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 dignifies carriage that was second to none. I stand to be corrected.

 Senator Adeleke is simply Mr. generosity. A great administration and astitute politician, that played politics without bitterness. He abhorred violence all through his life. He came into politics to better the life of the down-trodden. 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 flowing 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 his Ede country home, to bade him farewell. His unexpected transition but glorious exits and kingly burial on April 24 2017, was second to none in the annal of history of eminent Nigerian in this part of the world. Senator 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 Aljana Fridaous.

To those of us living, he is smiling in his grave, though we can not see him.

Whatever, were the unjust contradictory remarks by whomsoever, the fact remains, that the leader of Osun politics, that Senator 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, 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, 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 length 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 Adeleke got them appointed into the commission in a jiffy. He extended love and care to the less priveledge 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, he made many young people took a foray into partisan politics and became success stories in their own right. The sudden death of Otunba Adeleke has created a big vacuum in the political arena. He left a big shoe behind. His sojourn here on this transient world was remarkable and positively eventful, to the extent, that many had wished death should have spared him for 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 Adeleke was, many will remember him as God-sent, the type of which are very rare to come by. Their type come once in a generation. A thorough family man, Senator 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 abundant. 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 Adeleke. No privacy. His life and properties were for the people with whom he shared all with without complaints.

 If there are a few people out there, as there would be, casting unjust aspersions at the exalted personality of the Late Senator Adeleke at death, such people should have a re-think and allow his gentle and sweet soul, enjoy a peaceful rest, as no doubt he is already doing. The game of dirty politics ought not be the lot of Senator Adeleke, from whatever quarters. The man of the people deserves the best of accolades from his detractors. They are advised to be God-fearing and let the sweet memory of Senator Adeleke linger on reservedly and honorably in their hearts, as it is with his numerous admirers. The death should not be trivialized by anybody, no matter how highly placed certainly, such is not applicable to Senator Adeleke.

 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 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 employs his philantrophic gestures to make life worth living for countless numbers of people.

 For the past forty days, 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 past forty days. We have shared together a moment of deep grief, which we bore with calmness and trust in God believing strongly, that Almighty God is the greatnest comforter and consoler. He shall not forsake the Adeleke family in particular and others outside there. God the ultimate healer of such a wound, occasioned by the sudden death of our own beloved Senator Adeleke will bring succor to all of us, as we shall continue forever to remembers him for all the goods works he symbolized, while he was on this divide with us.

 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 Adeleke and in total submission to his supreme will, we leave everything to God and we rest our case”. This is very much consol. May God Almighty grant Senator Adeleke, Aljanat Fridaous.

– Olumide Lawal was Special Adviser (Media Publicity) to late Senator Adeleke