*The only Hajj operator Ibarapa Fulani could trust with their money is gone – Sympathiser
*Baba was great philanthropist – Lateef Olawumi
By KEMI KASUMU
The Aare Musulumi of Ibarapa Land, Oyo State, Alhaji Sanusi Mustapha Ojolowo, is dead.
He was simply described as an octogenarian as at the time of his demise.
He died Wednesday 22 September, 2021 and hads since been buried in accordance with the Islamic rites, at Tapa, in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state.
He was one of the earliest, pioneer Hajj and Umrah operators from Ibarapa Land. His clients cut across the old Western Region, Kwara and Lagos states.
Alhaji Sanusi Ojolowo was also a community leader of note and a bridge builder between the Ibarapa people and their tenants, the Fulanis and other resident members.
The DEFENDER gathered from among sympathisers that the death of Alhaji Ojolowo is the end of an era in Islamic philantropism in Ibarapa Division, Oyo State.
According to a comment obtained from Dr. Lukman Fasasi, in a post-burial chat with The DEFENDER on Thursday, he said: “Baba and Owotutu who must be close to a century were the two musketeers for Islamic charity in Ibarapa Division.
“Baba was one of the most honest Hajj tour operators in Nigeria. I sympathise with the Fulanis in Oke Ogun and Ibarapa who can’t trust their money with any tour operator except Baba Ojolowo.
“There was an incident in 1982 when the gates of the Haram was not yet well numbered. Baba Ojolowo went to look for some of the Fulani pilgrims but lost his way back to the gate where he told them to wait. From 12 noon to 630pm Magrib time the Fulanis would not leave the spot. Some good samaritans who saw them waiting endlessly bought them water and snacks and seeing they wore the oyo state hajj uniform asked them to follow them but they refused. They said OJOLOWO TOLD US TO WAIT HERE UNTIL HE COMES WE ARE NOT MOVING AN INCH. It was when someone assisted Baba Ojolowo to navigate to where they were that they obliged.
“When Hijab was institutionalized through a circular by Ajimobi government in Oyo State, Baba Ojolowo voluntarily bought Hijab and distributed them free of charge for all indigent female students in Ibarapa Land.
“Only Allah knows how many Mosques Baba Ojolowo had constructed. Anywhere he built a house – and he had many – he must construct a Mosque there.
“He was a compassionate philantropist. He had been sick for about two years. May Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his numerous acts of Ibadah and grant him Aljannah Firdaous. Islam in Oyo State has lost a gem. May Allah console us,” Dr. Fasasi said.
Honourable Lateef Olawumi, also an Ibarapa Land son, gave his word: “Baba was a great philanthropist and supporter of Islamic course without jeopardy in any way to other faith. We will miss him.
“He was an uncommon philantropist, also religious and accessible to everyone. May Allah grant him al-Jannat Firdaous.
Representatives of Muslim community of Oyo State attended his burial as hundreds followed the remains of the late octogenarian, Alhaji Sanusi Mustafa Ojolowo, to his home town of Tapa, Ibarapa North.
