WHEN LATE OLOYE OLUSOLA SARAKI CAME ALIVE IN ILORIN
Five years after his demise, Oloye Olusola Saraki, former Senate Leader in the Second Republic and father of Senate President Bukola Saraki, came alive in the blizzard of tributes and prayers offered at a memorial service held in Ilorin, Kwara State, last Tuesday. The late Oloye, a redoubtable politician and philanthropist, was also the strongman of Kwara politics and had a huge following. Not surprisingly, the
memorial service had a huge turnout of politicians and peasants, Islamic faithful and party followers. Friends and associates of the Sarakis turned out in their numbers in celebration of the man who singlehandedly made his son a two-term governor. The llorin talakawas who regarded him as a ‘Messiah’ of no mean stature turned out in their hundreds to pray for the repose of the Waziri of Ilorin’s soul. Unarguably, Oloye Saraki controlled the politics of Kwara State for over 40 years and throughout his sojourn on earth, he was a man who had anawe-inspiring pre-eminence in the
political landscape of Nigeria. Until his death, the former Senate leader was like the oak tree on which birds of different shapes, sizes and names perched. His shoulder became a rock to lean on and he provided succour to many hungry mouths through the many jobs that were created. His name was all his medical doctor son, Bukola, needed to become governor of Kwara State in 2003. And he served for two terms of eight years. Bukola has eased into his father’s big shoes as he now oversees Oloye’s political structures. It was no mean feat. And the Senate President remains eternally grateful. In his tribute, he stated, “Dear Father, today makes it five years since you left us. Although the years may pass, we still celebrate the legacy of your greatness, goodness, and selflessness. Your memory remains a blessing to all the lives that you touched. Thank you Baba, we miss you.” Born May 17th, 1933, the Saraki patriarch was a successful medical doctor turned politician. He died in November 2012.