…His absence made me vulnerable – wife
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Friends, family members and political associates on Wednesday gathered at the Oluyole’s residence of the late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi to offer prayers and celebrate what they described as the legacies of the deceased.
The gathering which cuts across party divides in the state was the fifth annual memorial fidau prayer for the first two-term governor of the state.
Some of the dignitaries at the prayers include: wife of the deceased, Dr Florence, Oyo state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, Late Ajimobi’s former deputy governor, Moses Alake-Adeyemo, a former deputy to Governor Makinde, Rauf Olaniyan, Senators Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), Fatai Buhari (Oyo North), APC Governorship flag bearer in 2023 election, Senator Teslim Folarin and Ex-Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.
Others include, party chieftains, political associates, members of the late Ajimobi cabinet otherwise known as Ajumose Marines, political appointees, among others.
Speaking, wife of the late Ajimobi, Dr Florence, said, not having her husband around in the last five years makes her so vulnerable but that the grace of God and the lessons her husband taught her while he was alive, have made her stronger and better over the years.
She remembered her husband as a friend, mentor, and leader who was always supportive, praising his legacies, saying he was a principled and disciplined man who was forgiving and eloquent.
Despite the challenges she has faced since his passing, she said she was determined to uphold his legacy and continue his work, while thanking the Ajumose Marines for their support.
While calling for unity within the Oyo APC, she urged all politicians to be forgiving, noting that she has learnt that politics is about managing people, and that she had learned the art of politics from her husband over the years.
She said, “Five years and it just seems like yesterday to me. Losing a friend, because my husband was not just my husband. He was my friend. He was my number one supporter. He was my mentor. He was my leader. And he was my cheerleader.
“So not having him around me just makes me feel so vulnerable. But honestly, I want to say thank you to the Almighty God. The one who has kept me going, the one who has sustained me, and the one who has enabled me to be able to stand on my feet.
“Life has not been the same. But I know that one day everybody has to go. He’s not the first to go, and he won’t be the last to go. It’s what we call God’s time. When it is our time, we all go. I miss him so much. I really do miss him. But I know that what he would want is for me to be strong and uphold his legacy.
“And that’s what I’m doing today, trying to keep the flag flying and holding forth on his behalf. But it has been a tough journey, been a tough five years, tough season. I have seen people in different capacities. I have seen people for who they are. But, like I always say, thank you, God.”
Several speakers paid tribute to the late governor Ajimobi, describing him as a transformational leader who left a lasting legacy in Oyo State.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South) in his tribute described Ajimobi as a well-loved leader who left a lasting impact on the state, saying, “We all know that he’s somebody that cannot be forgotten. He left a legacy. And like one of the clerics said, when you go out, people use his regime to compare several others.
“That’s to show that he did so well when he was alive. He was somebody that was well-loved, and somebody who loves the state.”
A former Commissioner of Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan praised Ajimobi’s leadership, saying he was the best governor Oyo State ever had, and that his contributions to the state’s development were unparalleled.
Also speaking, a former Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Farouk Arisekola, remembered Ajimobi as a legend who mentored many youths and transformed the state. He praised Ajimobi’s leadership style, saying he was a true Ibadan man who was never shy about expressing his opinions.
Ajimobi son, Idris, who is serving as a Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Livestock Development, also paid tribute, saying he missed his father’s presence and guidance, but was learning to navigate life’s challenges with the lessons his father taught him.
In his short sermon entitled: “Death is inevitable”, the State Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Islam, Sheikh Bashir Olanrewaju Elesinmeta urged the people to be mindful of how they lead their lives, noting that what should be of paramount concern to the people is life after death.
Quoting from the Koran, Elesinmeta reminded the people of the inevitability of death, saying, “All mortals will taste death hence the need to bequeath worth legacies to incoming generations.”
