Sultan of Sokoto, JAMB Registrar, Yarima Zazzau, Complete Sports Publisher, NAWOJ Leader, Aiyede Ekiti Prince, others pay condolences to Kola Animasaun’s family
The Sultan of Sokoto and Amirul Mu’mineen of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has paid his condolences to the family of the fallen journalism hero and former Chairman of the Editorial Board of Vanguard Newspapers, Alhaji Kola Animasaun.
Alhaji Animasaun, also a former diplomat, ex-Senior Information Officer, NigerianFederal Ministry of Information and Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, died after Fajr (at dawn) of Thursday 25 Ramadan 1440AH equivalent to 30 May 2019 and was buried 2pm after Zuhr (noon prayer) of same day at the New Muslim Cemetery, Morkaz, Agege, Lagos.
Also at the Adegbite Close, Dopemu, Lagos residence of the late benefactor was the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, who came for himself and also represented the Sultan at the condolence visit.
Receiving the visitors was the matriarch of the Kola Animasaun family, Alhaja Siliphat Modupe Animasaun (knee Ajimobi), supported by the eldest son, Ajibola Animasaun, his siblings Abdul-Razaq Adeboye Animasaun, Mrs Yemi Sarumi (knee Animasaun), Seun Animasaun and others.
In his words, Oloyede told the bereaved family that he was in the residence to pay his condolences and also deliver a message of hope from His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and Leader of Muslims of Nigeria and beyond praying that Allah would consider the good work of Alhaji Kola Animasaun and repose his gentle soul in Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Among the sympathizers who visited Saturday were the Publisher of Complete Sports Newspaper, Alhaji Abdul-Mu’min Alao, Chief Imam of Egba Agura Land, Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, Chairperson, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Council, Hajia Sekinah Lawal, representatives of The Muslim Congress (TMC), and other groups from around Lagos and South West.
The Yariman Zazzau and former DG NIMASA, His Highness Alhaji Munir Jaafar, also called to pay his condolences.
Son of immediate past Attah and Paramount Ruler of Aiyede Kingdom Ekiti State, Prince Adetokunbo Orisagbemi, was also among the sympathisers who paid visit.
In his word, Prince Orisagbemi, a lawyer, recalled the strong link that existed between his late father, Oba Joseph Orisagbemi and late Alhaji Kola Animasaun, who became the So’tofaiye of Aiyede Ekiti while the Christian king also installed his wife as the Iya Musulumi of the Kingdom.
Speaking to The DEFENDER, Adetokunbo Orisagbemi said, “If there was anybody that my father could not resist in matter of opinion or advice, it was Alhaji Kola Animasaun. It was the reason anytime we needed to push for anything that we found difficult with our father, Alhaji Animasaun was our major advocate to achieve it. So much that it was Alhaji Animasaun who helped convince my father before he allowed me to go to the Law School and today I am a qualified lawyer.
“I pray that Allah will forgive Baba, admit him in Al-Jannah and give Mama, children and others he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the Aiyede Ekiti Prince prayed.
It would be recalled that immediate past Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and others had paid their condolences to the bereaved family on Friday.
