As we enter into the new month of February,the memory of late Ibadan philanthropist of note ,who bestrode the land like a colosus ,Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao,a one time Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland,cannot be erased in the minds of the good people of Ibadanland and Yorubaland generally.
While he lived,his birthday was every 14th of February,a day reserved for expression and demonstration of love,which was further raised to higher status by the various philanthropic acts and demeanour of Alhaji Arisekola Alao.
An Ibadan man of note,who greatly deployed his wealth, to the advantage of the masses as well as the elites,Azeez Arisekola Alao was a famous philantropist ,who assisted people with his wealth, irrespective of age,sex,religion,ethnic coloration and other primordial sentiments .
His house was a mecca of sorts,where the needy gathered ,to find solutions to their problems ,and much so, good number of them went back ,beaming with smiles.Arisekola Alao used his riches for Ibadan people,he was always the Chief launcher at many occasions,an avenue where he contributed to many developmental projects and encouraged Socio economic , infrastructural and political developments.
Arisekola Alao,as Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland,not only promoted Islam,but also Christian faith ,where he made historical financial contributions to church projects and other Christian designed projects.
Without indulgence in any form of debate,the late Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, made enormous impacts and became image of philanthropy ,so much that he was the centre point of activities and major decisions , particularly in Ibadan,his native land.
His deployment of Allah’s given wealth to the collective advantage of his kinsmen ,soon earned him the respect of being the centre point,where decisions that bothered on Ibadan were synchronized.
Arisekola Alao”s abode became the meeting point where directions on political maps were drawn and where disputes were resolved.His words were respected by most, as the final word ,and Ibadans invariably honoured him with awe and respect.
His death therefore drew so much sadness that ,everyone said ,a vacuum was going to be created,that could not be filled ,throwing Ibadan into splinters and camps of sorts,where different blocks and opinions with their self believed leaders emerged unconsciously.
The United front once entrenched in Ibadanland ,began to crumble and there was no one to serve ,that point of unity,where common decisions emerged.
However ,according to a very respected socialite and political activist,Mogaji Abass Oloko, the vacuum created by the glorious exit of late Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao is today ,not only filled ,but the globally rated industrialist,Oloye Jubril Dotun Sanusi has moved further to impressed more in other areas.In addition to the discreet philanthropism, that ILAJI is known for,the track records have shown significant additional areas ,where ILAJI has deployed his wealth to people’s happiness.
The consciousness that another birthday of late Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao is just few days from now has brought to limelight, the emergence on the platitude,another Ibadan man,the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland and a recipient of numerous significant awards from all over the globe,earned through huge impacts in many areas of human endeavors,has been provided by God to play roles ,without political request or agenda ,as is the case with some others self titled philanthropist.
Chief Dotun Sanusi,not only filled the vacuum created ,over the years ,we missed ,but extended his large heartedness into execution of public projects for the advantage of his kinsmen .
Popularly known and addressed as ILAJI ,by admirers,Mogaji Abass Oloko,a versatile public analyst has described Chief Dotun Sanusi,as a replacement of what we lost late Arisekola and in furtherance a committed personality,who holds Ibadan,so dearly to his heart,and holds no reservation ,deploying his wealth massively to matters of needs and aspirations
Like the late Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao,the man who earned the Odua most prestigious title for Ibadan,when he was conferred with the title of “Okanlomo Odua” by the Arole Odua himself,the Imperial Majesty,Ojaja 11,Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR,the Ooni of Ife.,has never relented in indulging in series of philanthropic gestures,cutting across borders.
Chief Dotun Sanusi has unconsciously emerged that centre point for the mas of Ibadan Indigenes where pivotal directions are determined.
As a qualified engineer , a business mogul,a sports enthusiast,a promoter of culture and tradition,and an overall developer of communities ,Oloye Dotun Sanusi has not only filled the vacuum ,but added high degree of other sterling virtues,which have continued to earn prestigious space for Ibadan sons and daughters,all over the globe.
The personality of Okanlomo Odua has inadvertently enliven the good memories of the late Arisekola Alao and Ibadans ,as always ,will again celebrate him in death ,on his post humous birthday on February 14th,this year in a unique way.
For those who know Mogaji Abass Oloko,one cannot discountenance his prolific intelligence,deep political experience and rich knowledge of history.
His apt view about Chief Dotun Sanusi as that enigma ,who has been provided by invincible will of providence to fill the vacuum,is therefore a reality, considering the enormous roles played in all spheres and sectors by the international personality ,Oloye Dotun Sanusi.