Dignitaries from all walks of life on Thursday thronged Ilesa, the country home of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, for the three-day Fidau Prayer of the Governor’s mother, Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola, who died in her residence in the early hours of Tuesday, aged 84 years.

The ancient city of Ilesa was agog with political heavyweights. They include National Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; Deputy ‎Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff; Minister of Communication‎s, Adebayo Shittu’ Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed; and Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole.

Others ‎ are: Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Osun Military Governor, Colonel Theophillus Bamigboye; Ex-Minister of State for Defence, ‎Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Senator Sola Adeyeye; members of state and national assemblies; Speaker Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam; Secretary to the Government of Osun State, Moshood Adeoti; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; as well as members of the State Executives Council.

The traditional rulers were led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, while the Muslim clerics were led by the President, Osun League of Imams and Alfas, Sheik Musa Animasaun.

The occasion also witnessed the presence of the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, captains of industry, and politicians from different parties.

The remains of late Saratu Aregbesola was ‎buried amidst tributes and condolences from all quarters as many described the deceased as a rare mother.

The Guest Lecturer, Sheik Maroof Ishola, described death as the only inevitable thing in life, admonishing people to always be conscious of end times.

Sheik Ishola, who is also the Mufasir of Osogboland, stressed the need for people to move closer to God and prioritise good deeds in life, saying that is the panacea to eternal rest in paradise.

Governor Aregbesola in his vote of thanks expressed gratitude to all and sundry, especially the religious leaders, for being part of the funeral activities since his mother died.

Aregbesola, whose eldest son, Kabir Aregbesola, spoke on his behalf, described the exit of Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola as a significant departure in the Aregbesola dynasty.

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