By Ahmed Ajikobi
Mammoth crowd flooded the family house of late Alhaji Saka Opobiyi on Sunday when former Senate president, Bukola Saraki was there to pay last respect to his father’s ally
Opobiyi, who died on Saturday at the age of 89, was a Bossom friend of the late political icon in Kwara State, Dr. Olusola Saraki.
The ex-Senate president had earlier in a condolence message eulogized the deceased.
He expressed sadness over the demise Opobiyi, of Opobiyi Compound, Agbaji, Ilorin, in the
condolence message signed by his Press Officer on Home Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, describing the death of Alhaji Saka Opobiyi as a personal loss to him, and commiserated with other members of the Opobiyi family as well as the people of Agbaji community in general.
“The death of Alhaji Saka Opobiyi, an associate of my late father, Oloye, of Opobiyi Compound, Agbaji, is a personal loss to me and huge loss to the family. I received his valued counsel and affection for years. He will be greatly missed.
“Alhaji Opobiyi was a father to all and community leader in his right. He was committed to the development of his immediate community and Ilorin Emirate as whole.
“The demise of a loved one no matter how old the person is, is usually saddening but we must take consolation in the fact that Alhaji Opobiyi lived a fulfilled and exemplary lifestyle worthy of emulation. He will be remembered for this and his great legacies.
“May Almighty Allah, forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanah Firdaus. May Allah console his immediate family and give us the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” Saraki prayed.
Meanwhile, the Janaza prayer for the deceased was held on Sunday and led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Muhammed Bashir Solihu after the arrival of the former Senate president Saraki.
Speaking to this medium, the eldest son of the late Opobiyi described his father as a caring, loving father to all.
“He served God with honesty and trained us to be honest. He urged us to continue to display good virtues wherever we find ourselves.”
Speaking on his father’s last moment, Alh. Abdulsalam said his father in his deathbed encouraged all the children to love each other and stay together.
Also speaking, the General Manager SBS FM, Alh. mas’ud Adebimpe said late Opobiyi was a community leader.
“He was one of the generation that built what we refer to as modern Ilorin. I have had the opportunity to interact with him.
“When there is issue relating to community, political and developmental matter. We make reference to him. We are going to miss him.”
