Adefaka Family ends mourning after 3 days of father’s demise, to announce date for ‘prayers and tributes’ soon

By ADEWALE OLUBO

In the meantime, the Adefakas have sent a word of “profound appreciation” to the Grand Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Ash-Sheikh (Dr.) AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede, describing the performance of Islamic rites of Janazah on their late father as remarkable. They also thank the Sanni Ere extended family for coming and Alhaji Kadiri Mustapha, Seriki Musulumi of Akure Land, and Alhaji Ibrahim Adebisi Jimoh, former Chairman Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board, for their commendable role.

The royal family of Alhaji Kasumu Yesufu Adefaka in Isolo Town, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, has declared the end of mourning of their late father, in accordance with Islamic practice.

Patriarch of “The Adefaka Royal Family of Isolo, Akure South”, Alhaji Adefaka had his last breath around 1:30am on Saturday January 4, 2025. He was buried 5pm same day at a Muslim cemetery after the Islamic rites of Janazah, led by the Grand Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, As-Sheikh (Dr.) AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede, were remarkably performed on him at the Akure Central Mosque in the Ondo State capital.

Mourning period for the late ‘great man’ ended on Monday January 6, 2025 being that Islamic tradition forbids mourning of a dead Muslim beyond three days.

Date for “Prayers and Tributes for the Celebration of Life of Late Alhaji Kasumu Yesufu Adefaka, who was a major factor in the establishment of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria in the Old Ondo State, will be made public soon by the royal family,” a statement from the family said.

Relatives of a deceased Muslim may mourn him for three days only, but a widow may mourn her husband four months and ten days, according to an impeccable source of Islamic jurisdiction.

“This is due to Hadith of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him, who said: «It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and the day of judgment to mourn any dead person more than three days except her husband four months and ten days» (Reported by Bukhari).

“This period is called the Edda (Waiting period) which is prescribed by Allah in the Qur’an:

“‘Translation’ {And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind – they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]. And when they have fulfilled their term, then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And Allah is [fully] Acquainted with what you do.} [Surah Al-“Baqarah: 234],” the source quoted.

As headship in a family is natural and automatic either by father or (after his demise) his heir, the eldest of his children, Mr. Babatunde Saliu Adefaka, has since taken up the mantle of leadership to direct the affairs of the family for proper guidance of his younger siblings in accordance with the legacy of good character, untainted religious believes and life of contentment left behind with them by their father.

Prince Bashir Olorunkemi Adefaka, however, has been picked by the new head as Secretary/Spokesman of The Adefaka Royal Family of Isolo Town, Akure South.

Alhaji Kasumu Yesufu Adefaka was survived by three wives, children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In the meantime, the new family head has led his siblings including Oluwatayo Sadiku Adefaka, Oluwole Lamidi Adefaka (former Leventis Manager), Akinsehinwa Sakariyau Adefaka (Deputy Comptroller of Immigration), Abayomi Lateef Adefaka (Federal Ministry of Police Affairs), Ms Ayisatu Funmilola Adefaka (eldest girl), Mrs Florence Omosajuola Adefaka-Ibitoye (General Hospital matron), Haruna Ishola Adefaka (stock broker), Mrs Kehinde Adefaka-Okoro, and Bashir Olorunkemi Adefaka (Journalist and CEO/Editor-in-Chief Defender Media Limited) among others, on a homage to their palace where they met with the Osolo of Isolo, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II.

During the meeting, Prince Babatunde Adefaka was presented to the Osolo by Prince Bashir Adefaka, who is now the Family Secretary/Spokesman, as the new Chairman/Head of The Adefaka Royal Family of Isolo, Akure South, after which the king urged the Adefakas to come on board with him in moving the ancient community forward to greater height.

“I cannot do this alone. If I am with you like I am now (without regalia), nobody will say I am not a king. But if I carry 10 crowns walking on the street without you around me, people can call me a mad man. So, having you with and around me will make the job very easy. Join me for success of this town. Let us cherish the stool because it is our own. Let us cherish our kingdom. It belongs to all of us,” Oba Adewole told the Babatunde Adefaka-led family.

The traditional ruler seized opportunity of the visit to formally thank “Baba Adefaka’s children for their support especially during the struggle for the recovering of our staff of office.” He, however, informed them of the challenges especially those regarding efforts to deprive the autonomous community of its rights to royalty and called on the visiting princes and princesses not to be far away from him.

Responding to the Osolo, Prince Babatunde Saliu Adefaka, promised to work on his request as truly, according to him, there is no way as a family branch of the kingdom The Adefaka Royal Family would leave the responsibility to the king alone.

In the meantime, the Adefakas have sent a word of “profound appreciation” to the Grand Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Ash-Sheikh (Dr.) AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede, describing the performance of Islamic rites of Janazah on their late father as remarkable. They also thank the Sanni Ere extended family for coming and Alhaji Kadiri Mustapha, Seriki Musulumi of Akure Land, and Alhaji Ibrahim Adebisi Jimoh, former Chairman Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board, for their commendable role.

The Adefaka Family is an integral part of the Abibiri Ruling House in Isolo, an ancient autonomous township community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, South West Nigeria.