EXHUMATION: Body of Akire of Ikire-Ile’s late grandfather found “intact and complete” 42 years after burial
*As Yoruba Oba exhumes bodies of parents, reburies in Islamic cemetery
By KEMI KASUMU
“The most awe-inspiring part of today was finding and witnessing my grandfather’s body, buried 42 years ago, intact and complete. Even the burial shroud he was wrapped in remained unstained!”
History was made in Ikire-Ile on Tuesday May 6, 2025 when a Yoruba traditional ruler and first class monarch of the Osun State community, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulazeez Olatunbosun Adebamiji, the Akire of Ikire-Ile Kingdom, Ola Oluwa Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria, exhumed the remains of his grandfather and his body was found intact 42 years after burial without decay.
Body of his wife, Madam Rabiatu Awele, too was exhumed in an exhumation programme that though started with the grandparent is targeted at 11 in all of such long buried bodies from the family compound to their reburial at the Muslim cemetery in Ikire-Ile.
In a statement titled “LAYING A HISTORIC EXAMPLE” posted on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday May 6, 2025, the king gave details of what the exhumation was all about.
“Today Tuesday 6th May 2025, I was able to lay a good example for my people and all Muslims of the world on doing the right thing for our departed family members. Today, I was able to conduct the successful exhumation of my grandfather, Pa Prince Alimi Alagbe Idowu, and his wife, Madam Rabiatu Awele, from the family compound to their reburial at the Muslim cemetery, Ikire-Ile.
“Many big thanks to Dr. Sirajudeen Bilal Al-Ashra, Dr. Zakariya Abimbade Abdulganiyy, Sheikh (Imam) Musa Oladapo Raji, Sheikh (Imam) Ambali Adiat, the Radio Ayekooto 88.3FM crew, and all family members under the leadership of Alhaji Liadi Alarape Alimi (a.k.a. Small Body Big Engine), the Compound Head and Head of the Idowu dynasty of Ogunkojo ruling house. I also appreciate the support of friends and everyone who contributed to the success of the activity.
“The most awe-inspiring part of today was finding and witnessing my grandfather’s body, buried 42 years ago, intact and complete. Even the burial shroud he was wrapped in remained unstained!
“I therefore urge my people and all Muslims to, in line with Islamic guidance, avoid littering community compounds with graves. Instead, let us make use of the designated Muslim cemeteries whenever the need for burial arises. This not only honours the sanctity of our environment but also aligns with the teachings of our faith.
“I humbly pray that Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala preserves our lives for the benefit of His Deen and for service to humanity. May He grant us the wisdom to uphold what is right and the strength to follow it through. Aamiin,” said Oba Abdulazeez Olatunbosun Adebamiji, the Akire of Ikire-Ile Kingdom.
In a telephone chat Wednesday morning of May 7, Oba Adebamiji explained that all that is required for peace and security among the various people in Yoruba Land and across Nigeria is mutual understanding and mode of presentation.
He added that doing Islamic da’wah and Christian evangelism is more effective when not harsh or confrontational but done through practical love and good character as it was with all prophets of Allah, including Muhammad peace be upon him and Jesus Christ (Isa) peace be upon him.
He said by what he did in his own family compound to the remains of his progenitors, many of his subjects home and abroad have learnt lessons and have decided to exhume bodies buried in living compounds to now be properly reburied in the cemeteries as, Islamically, the dead are not to be buried in the homes.
