29th September, 2012
Abiodun Onafuye, Abeokuta
The body of the late Secretary General of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Abdul Lateef Oladimeji Adegbite was
committed to mother earth at exactly 4:00pm in his family compound at Onikolobo area of Abeokuta Ogun state, southwest, Nigeria as several
encomiums were showered on him by various groups.
The burial rite for the late Islamic scholar, the Seriki and Baba Adini of Egbaland began by 3: 50pm shortly after the arrival of the
motor hearse marked with registration number (Lagos) TOS 7 bearing the corpse which came in at exactly 3: 40pm.
After the prayer, which was led by the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Imam Liadi Orunsolu, the remains of the NSCIA scribe was buried
besides his first wife in the family compound at exactly 4.00pm.
Among eminent Nigerians who paid their last respect for late Adegbite were the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Sultan
of Sokoto and the President General of NSCIA, Sultan Sa’aad Abubakar 3, who arrived the venue of the burial at 3. 45pm as well as the Aare
Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao.
The former military administrators of Ogun state, former governor of the old Western state, Brigadier General Oluwole Rotimi (Retd.) and Lagos state governor, Mr 
Babatunde Raji Fashola as well as the two immediate past governors of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel joined Governor Ibikunle Amosun to give the late Adegbite who was described as bridge builder and true Nigerian a befitting state burial in Abeokuta today.
In his tribute, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo described him as an icon, a compatriot, not only at the religious level, but at the social level, who would be missed in Ogun state as well as the whole country
According to Obasanjo, “but we take consolation in the fact that he had lived a worthy life and legacy worthy of emulation. His place will
be difficult to fill within our community, Egbaland. We prayed that God will not leave us mourning and groping in the dark for a worthy
replacement”, he prayed.
In his own tribute, Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’aad Abubakar who is the President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
said the death of Adegbite was a great loss not to his family but the generality of Muslim community in Nigeria and entire world.
Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, who expressed the bereavement of the people of Lagos state to the family, said,”late Adegbite would
have lived longer, but he spent much more time catering for the welfare of humanity, stressing that “Islam came first, community came
first, Nigeria came first”.
“I extend the sympathy and condolence of the people and government of Lagos state to the family, children, and widow and of course, to my
brother and governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun and the people and the government of Ogun state.
“But in extending condolence from Lagos, it is also appropriate to acknowledge the bereavement on our part because he was as much part of
us even though he was made in Ogun. For the presence of so many people, Christians and Muslim communities from far and near that his
constituencies is the whole of Nigeria” Fashola admonished.
Former governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel described him as a major stabilizer and a factor in this era of religious extremism, stressing
that late Adegbite was somebody that spoke and people will listen , adding that,” it would be difficult to find a replacement for
him”.
Governor Amosun in his tribute described Adegbite as a confluence in academics, religion, tradition as well as social services to the country.
The governor noted that Adegbite was a man who usually offered wise counsel to governments at federal and state levels, stressing that his
death would create a vacuum in the nation.
While praying that almighty Allah grants his soul Aljanah Fidaus, the governor commiserated with the Adegbite family, people of Egbaland,
the Muslim community and Nigerians in general.
Alhaji Lukman Adebiyi, the National President of Ahmadiyya Movement In Islam described Adegbite’s death as a great loss to the country,
especially at this trying period of the country.
In a released signed by Adebiyi and copy sent to our correspondent this afternoon, the Mission commiserate with all the Muslim ummah for
the death of a great giant and a gem,
“Adegbite is a rare person, he died during the time the country need him most, we thank God for the good life he had spent and pray to
Allah to give the family, Egbaland, Ogun state and the country at large the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Adegbite died at the ripe age of 79 years on Friday night in his house at Lagos, two weeks after he arrived from London where he had traveled
to undergo medical treatment
His death occurred few hours after two prominent Egba Chiefs, Oluwole Adeosun and Segun Taiwo were buried in Abeokuta.