Posted by From Tunde Sanni in Ilorin on
It was a roll call of political heavy weights and retired generals in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital yesterday as the remains of the former Minister for Works and Housing, Major General AbdulKarim Adisa, was lowered into the grave.
It was a roll call of political heavy weights and retired generals in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital yesterday as the remains of the former Minister for Works and Housing, Major General AbdulKarim Adisa, was lowered into the grave.
Among those on land to pay their last respects were former President Ibrahim Babangida whose yet unannounced bid for 2007 presidency. Adisa had persistently championed, Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Major General Abdullahi Muhammad, a former Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunaday Adewusi, four state governors, Bukola Saraki, (Kwara), Orji Uzor Kalu, (Abia), AbdulKadir Kure (Niger), and Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo).
As at press time, Osun's Olagunsoye Oyinlola was still being expected while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sunday Afolayan was also present.
Others included former governors Kolapo Ishola (Oyo), Brig. General David Bamigboye (Kwara), Muhammad Sha'aba Lafiagi (Kwara) Muhammad Lawal (Kwara), Theophilus Bamigboye (Osun), Raji Rasaki (Lagos), David Medayese Jemibewon (Oyo), a Federal Government nominee into the National Political Reforms Commission, (NPRC), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede as well as Senators David Mark, Tunde Ogbeha, Sulaiman Makanjuola Ajadi and Is-haq Salman.
There were also Ministers Eyitayo Lambo, (Health) and Cornelius Adebayo (Communications), President of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA). Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Justice Mustapha Akanbi, Are Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, and Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Timothy Adepoju Oyeyipo,
The remains of the former minister had arrived the Ilorin International Airport at exactly 10:05, accompanied by his daughter, Mariam and other close associates aboard a chattered aircraft marked 5N-BEY with the corpse quickly transferred into a waiting ambulance provided by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).
From the airport,the ambulance conveyed Adisa's remains to his GRA residence with an FRSC mini-bus clearing the way while commercial motorcyclists acted as the outriders for the convoy. Also on the entourage were three buses hired by various students' union outfits with black bandana tied on their heads in mourning.
Security personnel comprising of the police, army, navy and the State Security Service (SSS) had hectic time controlling the crowd that took over the road to his residence, pushing and surging to have a lapse glimpse. Some had to seek shelter in an uncompleted building overlooking his residence.
Babangida, Kure, Lawal and Alao who all wore black glasses to conceal their emotions received the corpse at the GRA residence. Other associates of Adisa were also on hand to welcome his remains which was taken to his private room for the Islamic ritual bath for the dead (ghusul janazat).
By 11.50 a.m, the corpse was taken out for the last prayers for the dead (salat janazat) and this was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Salihu. Other Islamic clerics around included the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji AbdulHameed Hamed, Sheikh Saadudeen Ajara and Alhaji Muhammad Bashir AbdulSalami
With the prayers over, Adisa's associates carried his corpse to his final resting-place amidst the shouts of "Lailaha ilah Allahu". Shortly before the interment, beneficiaries of his various education endowment funds had massed round the grave to supplicate for the repose of his soul.
Babangida, described Adisa as a fine, loyal and dedicated officer. "Everybody is sad today and that is because this country has lost one of its very fine officers who had lived all his life providing services to this country. He will be remembered for his devotion to duty, his loyalty to the nation and the devotion of his resources for the benefit of the people."
Lawal said, "It was tragic because it was a premature death. Personally, I have lost a friend and a confidant."
To Bamigboye, Adisa was a detribalised Nigerian and someone who stands by friends in days of need. "He was a man my family would never forget."
The NBA President who Adisa hosted to a dinner last December to mark his election told newsmen that he was yet to get over the shock of his death. "He was somebody who touched so many lives. We will surely miss him. His memory would linger for a long time to come. He was a problem solver."
Lafiagi described the deceased as a consummate pursuer of truth while his death would be a great blow to foundation members of the PDP in the state.
Kalu said that he had to call off an official engagement to attend the burial "of a personal friend because he supported me in all aspects of life and I feel so bad that he is no more today. He was a great man who would be remembered like a hero. I thank God for His mercies on him and those he is leaving behind and I believe that his soul would rest in peace.
"I want to charge the family to continue to live as one. They should not quarrel because the head of the family is no longer there."
Adisa died on Friday in London where he was taken for treatment following an accident on the Omuaran-Ilorin road.