[OPINION] TRIBUTES TO DR. OLUSOLA ABUBAKAR SARAKI, THE WAZIRI OF ILORIN

By Honourable Bukoye Marooph Bintinlaye

14th of November, 2012 was a dark Monday in Kwara State and Nigeria at large as we lost a political icon, humanitarian, renowned bridge-builder, unrepentant advocate for the national unity, philanthropist, Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki, the third Turaki and later, the Waziri of Ilorin Emirate.

Saraki, a very straightforward, modest, and unassuming politician, gained the hearts of the populace via his empathy, generosity, and compassion, as well as his ability to connect with regular people as if he were one of them.

Indeed, Dr. Olusola dedicated all life to the betterment of humanity. This was a man who put his people first in all endeavours. He concentrated on four main areas of service to humanity: community development, support for underprivileged children's education and capacity building, poverty alleviation and empowerment, as well as promoting religious harmony.

His footprints in Kwara and Nigeria can neither be erased nor forgotten.

"With the tremendous resources with which he was blessed by almighty Allah, he had become the benefactor to many across the country, particularly, in Kwara State. He was a helper of the helpless. He fed the hungry and provided succour to all who went to him for help and various needs. If you got to Ilorin, his home town and you were stranded, the taxi driver or the man on the streets will direct you to Saraki’s Ilofa Road home, otherwise called ‘Ile Loke’ for a bailout.

"There are testimonies of many individuals who got sorted out in Saraki’s Ilorin home and had their problems resolved. His house became everybody’s home. A social welfare centre. Many students got scholarships to attend Nigerian and foreign universities and polytechnics from Saraki," the Cable writes.

He returned to Nigeria to work as a medical officer at the General Hospital, Lagos, and the Creek Hospital, Onikan, also in Lagos. He resigned in his second year in public service to start a private practice with the late Dr. Ikomi. The Saraki-Ikomi Hospital was established on Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Today, Dr. Olusola Saraki has produced the third generation of medical doctors, after his son and granddaughter successfully bagged degrees in medicine from the same University of London.

"The signs that Dr. Saraki was set to achieve greatness became manifest too early in his life. As a medical officer in Lagos, he was known for always intervening to pay the medical fees of indigent patients and demonstrated kindness, care, and compassion to patients, members of the junior staff, and the communities. He did not stay too long in public service as a professional as he moved out into private practice and ran several business concerns. These were manifestations of the streak he got from his businessman father and a mother who was a highly respected trader."

Today (November 14, 2022) marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the Second Republic's Senate Leader. The man, affectionately known as Oloye by his countless admirers, is still remembered today in countless households where he had a beneficial influence in numerous ways.

Dr. Olusola's contribution to national growth made him member of the Constituent Assembly that produced the 1979 Constitution. He as well was a member of the Committee for National Consensus (CNC) during the Abacha Transition Programme. In 2001 he was head of a team from the Arewa Consultative Forum, a Northern cultural and political group, sent to meet and discuss common goals with Northern state governors and other leaders.

He become a Senator of the Second Republic, and became Senate Leader. In 1983 Saraki was re-elected into the Senate to represent the good people of Kwara.

In 1998, Olusola Saraki became a National Leader and member of the Board of Trustees of the All People's Party (APP), contributing to the APP success in Kwara and Kogi States.

Saraki became one of the main men who formed the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) which became the ruling party in the Second Republic. He would later contest the Presidency under the Social Democratic Party (Nigeria) (SDP) in the third republic.

We shall all continue to honour Doctor Olusola Saraki's life and the profound influence he had on everyone in it as we cherish our best memories of him. We shall never forget you. There is no question that you are already in the high place that Waliyillah belongs to.

May the All-Powerful Allah, in His Unending Mercy, continue to bestow upon you Aljanat Fridaus and pardon you for all of your transgressions.