Isolo Akure’s Abibiri Royal Family loses key member, Taibat Iwalewa
Alhaja Taibat Iwalewa Nee Amuda Bashiri Sanni-Ere, a great granddaughter of the first King of Isolo Akure, Ondo State, late Osolo Abibiri, is dead.
She died at her residence in Oke Aro, Akure, the state capital, on Friday at the age of 73.
Taibat, popularly called Eleha since her prime days, had been a key factor in the Sanni-Ere sub-family of Abibiri Ruling House as eldest child of Alhaji Amuda Bashiri, popular Aso Oke producer and merchant before his demise about 20 years.
Sikiru Amuda, a sibling of the late Alhaja Iwalewa, who confirmed the death to The DEFENDER in a telephone conversation on Saturday, said “her death was unfortunate, shocking” but gave the Gloria to the Almighty Allah.
Her remains were lowered into mother earth in Akure Saturday afternoon.
Reacting to her death, the Galadima of Akure, Alhaji Kasumu Yesufu Adefaka, eldest son of Alhaji Apoti Yesufu, former Galadima of Akure Land and eldest of Sanni-Ere children, described the passing of Taibat as sad.
Ninety-year-old Alhaji Adefaka, senior cousin to the late Osolo princess, said: “He was the first to live together with me when I was posted to Iju, (now headquarters of Akure North LG) and I have never had cause to regret her being my sister,” the former banker said.
