19th February, 2018
Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
Symphatisers have continued to troop into the Basorun Ibadan residence of late Professor Akinwumi Isola who died last Saturday to sympathise with the family.
Among the symphatisers were: Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Ambassador Tokunbo Dosumu-Awolowo; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa in the company of his colleagues; Publicity Secretary of Afenifere Renewal Group, Kunle Famoriyo; Oyo State Chief of Staff, Dr Gbade Ojo; Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun; Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folasade Tinubu-Ojo; Chairman of Oyo State All Progressive Party, APC, Chief Akin Oke; an astute Yoruba writer, Oladejo Okediji; a human right activist Moshood Erubami and a poet, Odia Ofeimum.
In the condolence register, all the symphatisers described the deceased as a honest, worthy son and ambassador of Yorubaland and Nigeria in general.
According to the Oyo State governorship aspirant in the forthcoming election, Niyi Akintola, SAN, “Daddy, you lived well and died well. You lived up to your appellation, ‘The Honest Man’. You were very honest indeed. You were contented with life and what life devolved on you. You were never materialistic. You built a formidable name for yourself. You were an icon in every sense of the word”.
Former Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development Planning in the State of Osun and the only son of late Chief Bola Ige, the former Governor of the old Oyo State, Arch Muyiwa Ige said, “To God be all the glory. Yorubaland has lost yet again, another great one. Professor Akinwumi Isola will be sorely missed”.
While Ropo Sekoni said, “Honest Man, this is humanity at work”, while Professor Muyiwa Sanda said, “Papa, you lived a fulfilled life. You were great in life and death”.
Also in attendance were some members of Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, ANTP, including Chief Lere Paimo, Chief Jimoh Aliu and Chief Yahaya Adetunji who said, “Akinwumi Isola is a Nigerian patriot, writer per excellence, and an artistic director of note. A well read, known and an astute actor of the millennium has gone. Professor Akinwumi Isola made a mark that would be remembered for long as a humble and straightforward man”.
In just a statement, Jumoke Anifowose, nee Ajasin said, “Daddy, you are my father’s angel. I am proud of you” and The Very Reverend E. I. Ariyo simply said, “An honest friend is gone”.