Former Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta, Aare Arisekola Alao was a well-known philanthropist and public person who was well-known for his substantial economic endeavors and contributions to the Muslim community. Following his death, there was a great deal of curiosity and conjecture about the division and administration of his vast holdings. Aare Arisekola Alao was the son of Alhaji Abdur Raheem Olatunbosun Olaniyan Alao and Alhaja Rabiatu Olatutu Abegbe Alao of Ajia in the Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State. He was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1945. He attended St. Luke’s School in Adigun for his primary schooling, and then ICC Primary School in Igosun, both in Ibadan.
At first, Alao was happy with the Islamic education he began at the age of three and had no interest in pursuing a Western education. But in the end, he decided to pursue formal education thanks to Mr. J.O. Oladejo, a teacher, who persuaded him repeatedly. He took the entrance exams for two prestigious schools, Lagelu Grammar School in Ibadan and Christ School in Ado-Ekiti, after completing his primary schooling in 1960. He placed third in the race for admission to Lagelu Grammar School despite being the top applicant in the Christ School exam.
But even with his intelligence, he was unable to continue his western education because of his parents’ low income—peasant farmers. However, his solid Islamic education and unwavering determination made up for his lack of a western education. Encouraged to pursue a better life, Alao entered the corporate world with commendable traits including cunning, assertiveness, truthfulness, aggressiveness, and a strong will to achieve. Before going it alone in 1961 and starting to sell Gammalin 20, he briefly worked as an apprentice at Gbagi Market in Ibadan under his uncle. A cunning businessman, he was about to join Imperial Chemical Industries as an agent.
He didn’t even have to start his firm before he was well-known in his community and the former Western Region. He expanded his company and made extensive connections in politics and religion using the platform. In 1980, the Muslim Ulamah in Yoruba land bestowed upon him the title of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland due to his commitment in and support of religious matters. Alao was a detrabilized Nigerian who welcomed individuals from all racial and religious backgrounds. Always encouraging of others’ aspirations, Alao helped others realize their dreams by founding the Pa Raheem Alao Scholarship Foundation to benefit underprivileged university students. This was done in spite of the fact that his own desire of receiving a western education was dashed.
He was one of the principal backers and co-founder of Barakat International School, which is located in Bodija. He also held endowments in several private universities throughout the nation. A famous industrialist, he founded a plethora of companies under the Lister conglomerate that included publishing, real estate management, insurance, food production, and transportation. He engaged several people whose salaries he paid on a regular basis to build the Abdul Azeez Arisekola Central Mosque on Iwo Road in Ibadan. In addition, three Islamic professors were employed by the mosque. Alao funded the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth (NACOMYO), among other Islamic organizations even outside of Nigeria. He was one of the Muslims who helped pave the way for the Grand Council for Islamic Affairs to be established in Nigeria in 1996. Up to his passing, he served as a member of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs’ (NSCIA) Board of Trustees (BoT).
Alao, a kind man, named Rabiatu Alao Ward, after his mother, and added 100 beds to the Oyo State Muslim Hospital. In 2008, during the administration of the late Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’ Adua, he was awarded the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his outstanding contributions to the development of the country as a whole.
Alao also loved sports, as seen by his support of the Alao Babes Football Club, which was founded by newspaper employees and qualified to play in the state’s IF league after winning the 1998–1999 Oyo State SWAN Media Games. Given his influence on state politics, it is undeniable that the passing of Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao (CON), the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, has left a void in Oyo State politics. Alao passed away one year following the departure of his first spouse, Alhaja Risikat, who passed away on May 23, 2013, at the age of 68.
Because of his generosity, he was well loved by many people, and musicians shouted his praises to the skies. But problems surfaced as soon as the man of honor and means passed away in 2014. Specifically, his once highly sought-after properties started to show signs of neglect. His most treasured home in his hometown, which he had entertained presidents, chiefs of state, governors, ministers, and other notable individuals in, is now a mere shell of its former glory. The vast estate has been overtaken by rodents, causing it to lose its splendor. In addition to being filthy, the building is completely falling apart because termites are all over it.
Our insider also said that the dispute surrounding his enormous estate, which surfaced just a year after his death, is not unrelated to the cause for the abandonment of this pricey structure and many others. Dr. Oba Otudeko is said to have administered his will, which was approved by the Oyo State High Court in August 2013, a few days following his burial. His thirty-two offspring, his three wives, his three relatives, and a few other people divided the properties. According to family-close sources, Arisekola’s inability to pay off his debts prior to his death has left the financial institutions who gave him loans actually breathing down his neck.
Because of this, the banks have decided to seize the majority of the properties used as collateral in accordance with a court ruling, according to spy glass. According to his will, the majority of these assets have been inherited by family and children, but it was learned that the banks are planning to seize them in order to pay back the debts Arisekola had taken out. On June 18, 2014, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao, 69, passed away peacefully in his sleep in his London, UK, residence. Two days later, he was buried at his Ibadan home. Numerous well-known people, including musician King Sunny Ade, Bode George, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attended his funeral. With Arisekola Alao’s passing, the Oyo State administration announced a week-long mourning period.
