Alhamdulilahi, Baba lived a well and fulfilled life; throughout his existence, he was energetic; disciplined and ready to reprimand.
He was a man free of conceal; he says it as he saw it; you can’t sit with baba while he was angry with you; he would reprimand you the moment he sees you walking up to him; he had a free heart. A family builder and a tree that gave shade to all around him…
Bammy’s enthusiasm for education was second to none; I am a living testimony of this; baba never left a stone unturned when it comes to giving education; that was the only way you can collect lump-sum from him..lol. In his own word “I was able to achieve the little I have due the little education I had.”
Baba’s humbleness can be traced to his humble background; he would say “mo mo baba to bi , anu ni mori gba.” He once narrated how he walked from Ile Aafin Akesan to Saint Bernardine every day to school. His life’s experience made him a disciplinarian, his presence would make you shiver; you cant be stupid in front of him.
Getting close to the end; baba was prepared, in all opportunities he had, he would say it out clearly that privilege his Lord gave him to still be around – “Melo ninu awon alajo se mi loku moo?”
Baba was prepared for his death; despite not being sick or having any ailments, what he feared most was deviating from the worship of Allah as he aged.
Baba was the most intelligent man I knew; his sense of remembrance was second to none. A single raise of a name, he gives a full description of the person you are willing to talk about.
At a point; baba frequently says when he talk about his dead associates that “Etanje laye; a gba wa kuro ni ile; bi ba ti a wa ye ri…”
At many instances; when baba is approached to seek favor from those in political offices due to his affluence and popularity, he would reply “I don’t go abegging, Inonly beg my Creator and He will help you in all affairs.”
Baba has a forgiving heart. I remember calling him on phone when I was approached by one of the Alaafin’s sons. I had to seek his permissions knowing the distance he kept with the stool. He said “You can go ahead, what is between us, the fathers, shouldn’t affect you the children. Do the job diligently.”
Baba was a man devoted in praise and worship to his Lord; he was a man who planned ahead for his Umrah 2 to 3 months after returning from the last one; he confined himself to going once when old age set in. He would say “I go to Umrah to give thanks to my Lord at every opportunity, that is where my power lies.”
This will lead me to the privilege baba had on his first visit to Mecca for Hajj. Baba was privileged to enter the house of Allah (Kaaba). He was selected randomly from the crowd. Despite facing many challenges back home then, he said he prayed that if all were sorted, he would be back every time to Allah’s house to give thanks and that was how his frequent journey began.
He had the opportunity to go for Umrah 3 times a year during his youthful age and did Hajj many times consecutively. He went to Umrah every year until his death. He was a man that laid himself as an example to the Oyos that every power lies with Allah, which has been emulated in recent times.
Hmm… Truth be told; Baba was never afraid of returning to his Lord, because he was a prepared Muslim, Alhamdulilahi. He was more afraid of the aftermath of his demise; Baba preaches unity among his folks “E se ara yin lokan” (keep smiling to yourself as you are doing in front of me), were his last words.
I pray Allah accept Bammy in Alijanah Firdaus and may he forgives all his sins Ameen ..
Arc. Samsudeen Yusuf (B.Tech, M.Arch.)
