By Busola Samuel
“The Amirul Mu’mineen of Nigeria, in offering his condolences over the death of also the devout Muslim whose private medical practice has been felt positively by many across faiths and tribes, sympathizes with the family, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Government and the entire people of Ondo State on the sad loss of the Honourable Commissioner for Health,” the statement said.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has reacted to the death of Ondo State Commissioner for Health and Chairman COVID-19 Committee in the state, Dr. Abdul-Wahab Oluropo Adegbenro, who died in Akure on Thursday from complications of Coronavirus pandemic.
He said Adegbenro died in active service and that his death was a great loss, not only to his family, the government and people of Ondo State but also, to the rest of Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by a member of Sultan of Sokoto Media Team, Prince Bashir Adefaka, the Sultan thanked Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for recognising the hugeness of service rendered to humanity by the anti-coronavirus warlord.
He commended the governor’s timely decision declaring seven days of mourning when, directing all flags to fly in half-mast for the number of days and also declaring Friday July 3 a public holiday in honour of the departed “General, who died while healing others”, as stated in an earlier release by the government.
The statement read in parts: “His Eminence Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar mni, CFR, the Sultan of Sokoto, President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), has received with shock the death, in active service, of Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the COVID-19 Committee in Ondo State, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdul-Wahab Oluropo Adegbenro.”
“Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, who described the late anti-coronavirus warlord, Adegbenro, as “though elderly person but not too old at 65”, expressed pains that a federating unit of Nigeria like promising, peaceful Ondo State would – at this critical period in the world’s fight against virulent Coronavirus pandemic – lose a very resilient, sprightly medical icon like three-time Ondo State commissioner to the jaws of death.
“The Sultan, a multifaceted leader, however found his consolation in the fact of the will of Allah saying, “Since it is the way of Allah to take life at any time He so wishes, through whatever circumstance, we have accepted His decision although painful in the case of this industrious son and member of our society who died.”
“He commended the Government of Ondo State for its timely decision to declare seven days of mourning when all flags will fly at half-mast and for declaring Friday July 3, 2020 as public holiday in honour of the Abdul-Wahab Adegbenro, whom the government described earlier as “a General, who died, while healing others”.
“The Amirul Mu’mineen of Nigeria, in offering his condolences over the death of also the devout Muslim whose private medical practice has been felt positively by many across faiths and tribes, sympathizes with the family, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Government and the entire people of Ondo State on the sad loss of the Honourable Commissioner for Health,” the statement said.
“I must say that this is a great loss of distinguished leader and a member of cabinet. This, again I must say, is a great loss, not only to the family and people of Ondo State but to all of us in Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace and we pray to Allah to accept as good servant and repose his gentle soul in Al-Jannah Firdaus,” the Sultan prayed.
