Dr AbdulRahman Obalowu Alao, the late husband of former Minister of Environment and Housing, Halimah Eyitayo Alao, who died on Thursday, succumbed to diabetes related ailment, National Pilot, gathered on Sunday.
Alao died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) at the age of 67 and was survived by his wife, Arch Alao and children.
Alao’s fidau, which attracted top government functionaries, traditional rulers and politicians across party divides featured prayers for the reposed of the soul of the deceased.
Speaking with National Pilot at the event, one of his sons, Abdulrazaq who confirmed his late father had been in and out of hospital for treatment of diabetes, noted that the deceased was a very strict, generous and kind father who had his principles.
Narrating the incident, Abdulrazaq who is based in Abuja, said his last conversation with him was on the phone and “I encouraged him to take his drugs and be in high spirit”.
According to him, “His death happened on Thursday around 2:30pm and I got a call from my mother informing me about the incident. We had been back and forth from the hospital until now.
“The first thing I did when I heard about it was to pray for him for about one hour because I know that was the only thing that was left for me to do for him as a son to a father. It was a very touching one”, he noted.
According to Abdulrazaq, the large gathering at the fidau showed that the deceased was an upright man otherwise people will not turn out this much. He however appreciated Allah for the life led by his departed father.
Although, the deceased was survived by four children, Abdulrazaq said the deceased was father to many children and never treated anyone differently whether biological or not. He added that the children would follow his tradition of helping people and raising children that were not his own without any differentiation.
In his sermon, Ustaz Olohuntoyin Salati called on the children to unite and maintain close family ties, adding that the deceased lived a life of selfless service which benefited the downtrodden in the society.
The fidau was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji AbdulHamid Abdullahi who was joined by the Imam of Agaka Central Mosque, Ustaz Yusuf Murtador Pakata (Olopoewa) among others.
Although the former minister declined comment, one of the sympathisers and former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Ayinke Saka, described the deceased as a loving brother and caring father. She noted that Almighty Allah will continue to stand with the family especially the wife.
Also one of his classmates, Dr Zainab Fumilayo Ambali said the deceased was a very religious person who was very helpful to the needy and served humanity through his clinic where he gave free treatment and medical services to those who cannot afford it.
She said the lesson from his death is for everybody to be humble and be good at all times because death can come when least expected.
Also, Dr Ahmed Bola Abdulkadir of the University of Ilorin said he had known the deceased to be a very truthful person, adding that late Dr Alao was his guide and adviser all through his time at the medical school.
He said the deceased will be greatly missed by the medical profession and humanity.
In her reaction, the lawmaker representing Ilorin Central at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Segilola Abdulkadir said the late Alao lived a fulfilled life and impacted his immediate and external community immensely. He prayed Almighty Allah to grant him Aljanat Firdaous, comfort and to console the family he left behind.
