Kwara declares three-day mourning

Kwara State Government on Wednesday declared a three-day mourning for the late Dr. Olusola Saraki.

Saraki, popularly called Strongman of Kwara Politics, died in Lagos in the early hours of Wednesday at 79.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abdulwahab Oba, said a 20-man committee had been constituted to organise the politician’s burial.

The statement said the three-day mourning was to enable the people of the state to honour the deceased.

According to the statement, Alhaji Saka Onimago will head the burial committee. Members of the committee are Anthony Towoju, Alhaji Kayode Issa, Alhaji Tajudeen Oloje, Alhaji Yekeen Ilobu, Alhaji Sule Maja, Yemi Afolayan, Alhaji Ali Olola, Lekan Alabi, Alhaji Mohammed Saraki and Ope Saraki.


Others are Alhaja Muslimat Ibrahim, Ganiyu Abdulkareem, Adamu Sabi, Mrs Owolabi, Alhaji Issa Nimota, Muyideen Akorede, Alhaji Wahab Oba and Alhaji Abdulsalam Suleiman. M. A Shehu is its Secretary.

Lawmakers, who also commented on the death of Saraki, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria described him as “a great man”.

Kamil Akinlabi (PDP-Oyo), said Saraki was more of a philanthropist than a politician.

He said, “We will miss him but Kwara will miss him more, because he was a father-figure to the whole of Kwara.

“Whether you are from Ilorin, anywhere you are from, he was dear to everybody. We thank God for his life and we pray God to grant him eternal rest.”

Beni Lar, (PDP-Plateau), recalled that Saraki fought for the independence and the emancipation of the minority people (Middle Belt) in the country.

She added that the deceased was known for helping the poor.

“He would be remembered for his generosity, philanthropy, frankness and truth also,” she added.

Lar said Saraki and his family also contributed greatly to the political development of the country.

She urged the family to continue with the legacy of good work left behind by their father.

“All of us have something to learn from the life of Saraki. We mourn with the people of Kwara State and the Saraki family, it is a loss to the entire middle belt and the entire nation,’’ she said.