Politics

Kwara APC Elders’ Forum Chair, Bolanta dies at 88

 

…son recounts unfulfilled dreams, last moments

By Mumini AbdulKareem 

When Suleiman Oba Bolanta breathed his last, he was surrounded by few family members who tried to salvage a helpless situation.

At the end, they lost Octogenarian to death despite all the efforts to hold on to the former ‎All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum chairman in Kwara State.

‎Bolanta who died at the age of 88 had been down with illness associated with old age and for ‎three months, he was admitted at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Oke-Oyi.

After his discharge about four months ago, he returned home where the services of a private physician was engaged until his death.

Speaking on the last moments of his father, the fourth son, Abdulrasak Bolanta said, “His health kept deteriorating ‎everyday and he was in pains when we tried to carry him from one side of the bed to the other around 9pm on Friday.

“He was expecting his death and would tell us that his time was up as his sickness refused to go. He said he had accomplished most of what he wanted in life and he consistently advised that we should look after one another.”

However, did Bolanta have any regret and was he unable to fulfil any of his wishes in life? Yes, even though he told his family that he had done everything expected of him in life and only waiting for death because he sensed his time was up. Baba Bolanta was able to sponsor eight of his nine children on Hajj exercise and had expected to extend the gesture to his last child until his death, this according to Abdulrasak was Baba Bolanta’s greatest regret.

‎‎Even though the deceased had prepared the minds of his family for‎ the inevitable journey, his death around 3:30am in the wee hours of Saturday at his Ilofa road residence, Ilorin still generated tears among the congregate.

Although he had been down for a while, the Octogenarian before bidding his family bye took Quaker Oats, his favourite meal for breakfast on Friday‎.

‎Razaq further said, “After the meal Friday morning, he was unable to eat anything again despite our insistence. He was not able to speak with anybody again since Friday night.

“Few weeks ago, he spoke with the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed who had both been very supportive and we appreciate them immensely for their assistance. “We will miss most his frankness on issues no matter the personality involved which endeared him to late Baba Saraki and even the Senate President. I think politicians should learn that from him to be able to call a spade a spade”.

Meanwhile, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad has described Bolanta’s death as a huge loss to the APC particularly as it was preparing for the 2019 election.

Ahma‎d in a condolence message by his media aide, Shuaib AbdulKadir and make available to the National Pilot noted that Bolanta who was a dependable ally to late Baba Saraki was a foremost and revered politician in Kwara State who was never shy away from offering advice to successive governments in moving the state forward.

According to the former Commissioner for Health, Atolagbe Alege and ex-TIC chairman of Ilorin South, Alhaji Muhammed Isiaka Danmeromu, they described the death as a colossal loss to the state adding that he will be greatly missed for his bluntness and informed political judgement.

The patriarch was buried around 2:00pm on Saturday at his compound following Islamic rites led by Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi AbdlHameed.

He is survived by 9 children and 3 wives.‎

Meanwhile fidau for the deceased is scheduled for 10am on Saturday at his residence in Ilorin.‎

Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button