By Dare Akogun
Family, friends and political associates of the late Kwara political icon Dr Olusola Saraki, on Tuesday, held special prayers in memory of the late politician and philanthropist.
The prayer session which is the 11th in the series was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir-Saliu, alongside other Islamic clerics in the state.
The clerics while offering prayers for the deceased and the nation called on the government to address the current socio-economic hardship among Nigerians, especially residents of Kwara State, as done by the late statesman.
Speaking with journalists, on the sidelines of the event the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, said the late Olusola Saraki lived his life for the survival of the people.
He said for close to forty years he was making a lot of people happy with his philanthropic activities irrespective of religion, ethnic or gender, during and after political season.
According to him “For close to 40 years, he was making lots of people happy with his philanthropic activities. He was always happy helping people.
“Even when not politicking, whenever there’s a sort of hardship, he comes home to assist in all the 16 local government areas of the state, just as the son, our leader is doing today, taking after his father.
“Today, we are praying for our highly respected father, Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki, because of what he did while alive. He impacted meaningfully in so many people. I’m an example. Baba brought me up and did everything humanly possible to make me become one of the recognized politicians in Kwara state and Nigeria. May God continue to give Baba eternal rest.
“Baba Saraki is somebody that should be emulated. He lived for the survival of Nigeria and Kwara as regards politics,” he said.
Hon. Mohammed while speaking on the present hardship in every part of the state, urged the state government to find a way to make sure they do everything legally possible to ameliorate the hardship irrespective of party affiliation.
“With the present hardship in every part of the community in the state, the state government should find a way to make sure they do everything legally possible to ameliorate the hardship.
“The governor in the state should stop politicking now and find a way to ensure everyone in the state is taken care of, irrespective of party affiliation because the hardship is becoming unbearable.
“I also call on all elected leaders in the state, be it state Assembly, House of Representatives or the Senate to empower constituents in their respective communities to reduce the hardship being felt, he said.
