Religious leaders, politicians and community leaders on Sunday paid tributes and showered encomiums on late Sulaiman Ayantunji Asalatu who died ten years ago.
Late Ayantunji was the leader of the All Progressives Party, APC, in Boripe while alive and he was part of the party’s chieftains that worked assiduously for the enthronement of progressive government in the year 2010.
The deceased who until his death was Giwa Adinni of Akorede Mosque, Iree, died in 2012 at the age of 76 years.
The 10th year remembrance prayer session was witnessed by who-is who in the political circle among which are the Governor of the State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdullah Binuyo; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Remi Omowaye; Special Adviser to the Governor on Osun Investment Promotion Agency, Prince Femi Adeniran; former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Kazeem Salami; Local Government Chairmen, Politicians and Top Government Officials.
The Muslim clerics and community leaders were led by the Chief Imam of Iree, Sheikh Sulaiman Adeyemo Ayanniyi.
Speaking, Governor Oyetola extolled the virtues of the deceased who he described as a courageous, loyal, honest, quintessential and never-say-die human being when he was alive.
Oyetola who recalled the significant role played by the late Ayantunji to ensure the return of the progressive government in the State said he was one of the few most loyal party chieftains that put all at their disposal to ensure the ascension of progressive government in Osun.
“Baba Ayantunji was a man of many parts. He was a courageous human being who dedicated his entire life to serving God and humanity. He lived an exemplary life as attested to by the large number of people here today who gathered to pray for him, 10 years after his exit.
“Indeed, he was a notable leader of our great party, a rallying point for the progressive family not only in Boripe Local Government but across the State and beyond, and many of us today are bold to reference him as our mentor, leader and benefactor.
“We acknowledged his immense contributions to the growth and development of our party as we pray God for the repose of his soul and to grant him eternal rest in Aljana Firdaus”, he said.
Also, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke rained tributes on the deceased who he described as his political mentor, father and leader.
He said the deceased while alive laboured so hard to ensure the development of Iree, noting that history and posterity would continue to remember him for good. He commended Oyetola for appointing one of the sons of the deceased into his government, saying the Governor is indeed one man who rewards hard work and loyalty.
One of the children of the deceased and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs and Social Mobilisation, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji Asalatu thanked God for the worthy life his late father lived.
He described his late father as Omoluabi per excellence who cared for all regardless of tribe or lineage while on the planet earth.
In his words: “My late father was a courageous man who dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity. He was a man that struggled very hard for his children to survive. He thought discipline, honesty, integrity and how to live with people peacefully, that is why we the children felt it was necessary to celebrate him after his demise ten years ago.
“He was a man that we can never for any reason forget in our lives for the good great impact he made in our lives and for the legacies he left behind. He thought all that was good. He placed our feet on the right path and made us to put integrity above other considerations in life.
“We pray God to continue to grant him Aljana Firdaus and preserve the grave for him as a comfort zone.”
Other children who spoke described their late father as the best man in the family just as they prayed God to continue to grant him Aljana Firdaus.
