By Mumini AbdulKareem
Former lawmaker of the 7th Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Hamidu Giwa Afolabi (Elefo) has died, National Pilot learnt last night.
The death of Afolabi was coming about two months to the much anticipated local government election in the state scheduled for November, 18, 2017.
He was about 64 years old, according to one of his daughters, Muinat, who added that his remains will be buried Monday, (today) in Reke, Afon according to Islamic injections.
When National Pilot visited the house of the deceased last night, sympathisers were seen condoling with the family over the incident.
It was gathered that the late lawmaker reportedly died on his way to Denik hospital, Oja-Iya area Ilorin after reportedly complaining of mild uneasiness in his body system.
Narrating the incident, a son to the late lawmaker, Adam said his father was full of life and attended many political functions in Afon and Ilorin up till few hours before his death.
“He travelled to Reke in Afon on Saturday for a political meeting about the forthcoming local government election. When he came back, he complained of slight uneasiness in his body and decided to visit a physician Sunday.
“On Sunday morning here at his Ilorin legislative quarters residence, he had a slight stooling and vomited once. He then decided to visit his doctor at Denik hospital in Oja-Iya.
“He went to a political meeting on Sunday morning and later went to the hospital but later came back because his doctor was not around. At home, he was given about 6 sachet of intravenous fluid around by a nurse and everything seemed okay.
“But around 4:00pm, he said I should bring him bucket that he wants to spit and I asked him how about his body but he didn’t answer me. So I gave him the bucket and he was holding it while lying down but it spilled. Then he was breathing somehow. I put my hand in his mouth before he was rushed into the car.
“My sister told me he was still breathing inside the car but reportedly died on the way to the hospital. He was returned home later and taken to Reke in Afon, Asa local government.
Both children described the deceased as caring father who never joked with the education of his children.
In his reaction to the incident, his colleague lawmaker, Hon Aliyu Monde, a very close friend to the diseased described him an easing going person who was very down to earth in all his action to friends and associate adding that it was a shocking incident and he will be greatly missed by all.
A statement last night said “he died suddenly this evening, was a member representing Afon Constituency and until his death, the National President of Association of Micro Finance Institution of Nigeria.
“He had served as Executive Chairman of Asa Local Government Council and member Governing Council of Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS).
“He is to be buried tomorrow at his home town, Reke in Ogbondoroko/Reke Ward of Asa Local Government at 8:00 clock in the morning”.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pours in from friends, relatives and well-wishers of the deceased.
In their facebook and twitter responses to the incident, late Afolabi was described as a quintessential lawmaker.
Some of the messages read:
Razak Atunwa
The sudden death of Hon. Hamid Afolabi (Elefo) is extremely painful. A truly sad day. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanat Firdaus.
Adebayo Abdullahi
We are all on a journey; Hon. Afolabi Giwa Elefo has reached his own destination. May Almighty Allah forgive his sin and shortcomings? Amin
Hon. Moshood Bakare
We are all naked to death, good night Hon Afolabi Elefo
Ayinde Funso
“Adieu a great man of honour”
My heart is bleeding not because of your age but the great loss and vacuum your absence may cause is my concern. Thank s for your fair comment and opened minded. May Allah grant you aljanat fridous. HON Hamid Afolabi Gïwa Elefo, a man of honour, very courageous and grassroots politician per excellence during his life time.
Abdulfatai Idris Olayiwola
Hmmm kulu nafsi zaikotul maot. Death is a bitter pill which every living soul must taste and it can strike at anytime either old or young though your’s is too early but yet we still have the cause to glorify his holy name as you are born a believer lived a worthy life a believer must live and died as a believer may Almighty Allah grant you eternal rest and make Aljanat fridaus your final abode also to us you left behind may Almighty Allah hold us and give us the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable lost. Farao hun waroi hanu wajanat nahim.
Galadima Musa Sa’ad added 2 new photos
I am very short of words ohhhh. I can’t believe this man gone like that bcos we normally sit down together to observe Juma’at Prayer at Bilyam Filling station Irewolede every Friday except he is out of town. Even I sat closed to him this last Friday 15th Sept 2017. He didnt showed any sigh of illness faaa. Habaaaa this life. Death has taken this humble and very friendly Alhaji Hamid Afolabi from us.
May his soul rest in perfect peace, amen.
The entire Bilyam filling station Juma’at worshippers will continue missing this gentle and humble daddy.
The entire Asa LG APC and Kwara state APC in general will miss your fatherly advices and support
I commiserate with Ogbodoronko and entire Asa Local government on this demise of great man.
Ahmed Babatunde Qudus So sad my brother there is nothing in this life pls let’s do good may Allah in his infinity mercy forgive him and give the entire members of his family fortitude to bear this irreparable lost
