By Mumini AbdulKareem
Kwara again on Sunday lost another prominent personality following the death of Alhaji Umaru Saro, a billionaire businessman and industrialist.
Late Saro reportedly died at a private hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos Sunday evening.
Until his death, he was the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.
The news of his death which went viral in many social media platforms in Ilorin last night stunned many citizens in the state who expressed shock and surprise coming less than a week after the death of pioneer Grand Khadi, Justice Abdulkadir Orire.
Saroโs final journey, it was learnt, started in Ilorin when he attended the burial of his wifeโs mother who is also mother t former APC gubernatorial candidate, Moshood Mustapha last month.
That event was his last public function in Ilorin and his sickness reportedly started shortly after before he traveled to Lagos for treatment.
The deceased was said to be very quiet and unassuming with friends in very high places some of who are his fellow billionaires like Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Alhaji Rasak Okoya, Chief Alex Duduyemi and Hajia Bola Shagaya among others.
He was also an in-law to celebrity fashion designer, Lisa Folawiyo. Her younger sister, Sike is married to the late billionaireโs son, Yusuf.
Saro left behind, a wife, Alhaja Atinuke Saro, who unlike her husband is a popular socialite and several children.
Speaking on his death last night, a close family source described him as an outstanding amd accomplished businessman.
โHe didn’t wait for the 8th day Fidau of Moshood Mustaphaโs mother. One of his last legacies for Ilorin community was that he facilitated the C of O of the Eid Prayer Ground. Anytime he hears anything about Kwara and Ilorin, he always rise to the occasion and tried to get it done.
He was very close to Jagunmolu of Igbaja, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji, former CJN, Muhammed Uwais and Alhaji Bako that owns Kabo Airline. He is close to almost all the dignitaries here in Ilorin including the Emir, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
โHe produced Sabella fruit juice here in Ilorin opposite Diagnostics Center and the factory is still there along with the late Chief of Staff, Adisa Logun, who was the Managing Director
โMajor General Abdullahi Adangba was the closest person to him and he was among the five Nigerians granted the license to import Sugar into Nigeria, including Alhaji Dangote and Alhaji Bako. Late Saro was into property and importation and started his motor dealership in Kaduna distributing cars all along but started originally as a worker with one of these automobile companies in Nigeriaโ, the source added.
His burial arrangement has not yet been finalized last night before this paper went to bed.
