Encomium
‘He was not poisoned’
ON Thursday, May 8, 2014, the family and colleagues of late famous Islamic gospel singer, scholar and one-time Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (AMEN) winner, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Yusuf Ariyo organized the eighth day Fidau for the repose of his soul. The event which held at Combo Hall, LTV 8, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, attracted dignitaries and people from all the Yoruba speaking states and beyond. His congregation, BASMON (As-salatul group) and teeming fans from far and near were also not left out.
The special prayer was co-ordinated by league of Imams and Islamic scholars from different parts of the country, led by Chief Imam, Offa, Kwara State, Alhaji Muhyideen Salman who rendered a heart touching sermon in honour of the deceased.
Shortly after, the Islamic Musicians Association of Nigeria (ISMAN), co-ordinated by Alhaji Ahmed Alawiye enlivened the venue with performances from different zones. Among those in attendance were Alhaji Abdulwasiu As-Sideeq a.k.a Baba n waka, Alhaji Qamorudeen Odunlami (Ayeloyun), Bolaji Bello, Damilola Esin Ogbamilaye, Barrymade, Queen Seidat Al-Mubarak, Kamorudeen Ojulari and others. Movie stars and entertainment promoters including Saidi Balogun, Oloye Ajere, Abiodun Oropo, Sarolaj and others also attended the carnival-like prayer.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with Ariyo’s three wives and they all narrated his final hours. We also spoke to three of his children, who also extolled the virtues of their late father.
Alhaji Abdulwaheed Yusuf Ariyo died on Thursday, May 1, 2014, while at a social function at Oke Iya, Kwara State. He was 54. His career spanned about three decades, and he had produced many albums, including Oma dara fun wa, Afowo ba fisile, Imo, Iwa, Ojoola and others.
He was buried in his residence at Oke Suna, Ijoko, Sango Ota, Ogun State on Friday, May 2, 2104. He is survived by three wives and many children.
‘ALH. ARIYO died a natural death’ – ABIBAT ARIYO, first wife
We commiserate with you on the death of your darling husband, Alhaji Ariyo.
Thank you, sir. May Allah bless you.
You are his first wife and you started life with him, how long have you been with him till death struck?
I married him 25 years ago.
How many children did you have for him?
Almighty Allah blessed our marriage with both male and female children. Al-hamdulillahi.
How would you describe him?
Alhaji Waheed Ariyo was more than a husband to all his wives. He was very nice, loving and caring. He was a patient and humble man of God. He believed so much in the Almighty. He was a contented man. He was always satisfied with whatever Allah provided for him. He was always full of joy and he liked making people happy. Nobody had come to him with a problem and left with that same problem. He would always make sure he alleviated your pain and sorrow. Alhaji was very faithful to his Creator, and that’s exactly what he taught us and his children. He was always on the path of truth. He was a honest person. One other quality of his was that you can’t see him visiting the rich begging for financial assistance from them. He was contented with the little he had, and we’re all happy with him. His lifestyle was simple and exemplary. He enjoyed putting smiles on the faces of people within and outside the family. We will forever miss him for his kindness and lifestyle as a devout Muslim. I strongly believe that Almighty Allah will grant him Al-jannah Firdous. He will forgive him all his shortcomings.
How would you describe his death?
It’s too much to bear but Allah who has been with us even when he was alive will continue to remain with the whole family even after his death. His death is a big blow to the family, the industry he belonged and entire Muslim community.
How did he die actually because a lot of things had been said and written about the circumstances that surrounded his death. Can you shed light on that?
May Allah be with you and your family. Alhaji Ariyo died a natural death. He was a Muslim and lived an exemplary life. I believe Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest.
But it was reported that he collapsed after eating, which fuelled speculations that maybe he was poisoned…
(Cuts in) There was absolutely nothing like that. Alhaji wasn’t poisoned. He died naturally. And as Muslims, we believe and we’re sure his death was an act of God. People only like writing or saying rubbish when someone like that dies suddenly. We were all there. We were at a function in Kwara State when the incident happened.
But it was also reported that he stopped over in Ibadan, Oyo State and ate. Then after eating, he collapsed and was rushed to University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where he died…
(Cuts in quickly with other wives) That’s absolute lie. We were all at the event together and we all ate the same food. We didn’t stop over in Ibadan, and he didn’t collapse in Ibadan. Even some people around him that day ate the food he couldn’t finish, and nothing happened to anybody. It’s just that people don’t like finding out what the true situation of things are before peddling baseless rumour. Our husband died at Allah’s appointed time. He didn’t die in the hospital, he had given up before getting there. He was only certified dead at UCH. (All the wives spoke in one voice).
What’s life without him going to be?
By the special grace of Allah, there won’t be any problem among us. Allah will keep his home. All his wives and children are in the hands of Allah and we all believe that’s enough for us. There won’t be any sudden death in the family again. All the children he left behind will be greater than him. They will all live to achieve their goals.
‘His death was an act of God’ – SERIFAT ARIYO, second wife
We sympathise with you on the death of your husband.
Thank you, sir.
How would you describe him?
He was a very kind and nice person. He was a caring husband, and he was God fearing. He so much loved all of us in the family and everybody around him. He was a cheerful giver. May Allah be pleased with him.
How would you describe his death?
It’s a painful one. It’s sad that we will see him no more. No one expected his death now, but we strongly believe that his death was an act of God. May Allah forgive him all his shortcomings.
How is life going to be now that Alhaji Ariyo is gone?
We’re all Muslims. We have committed everything in the Hands of Almighty Allah who was taking care of the family when our husband was alive. We also believe that He will never leave us alone. He (Allah) will continue to be with the entire family.
What would you miss most about him?
Everything as a good husband.
There have been a lot of speculations surrounding his death, would you also agree that he died naturally?
He died naturally. He was a good Muslim. He lived all his life as a Muslim and died as a Muslim. Al-hamdulillahi.
But some are still saying it was a spiritual attack or poison, what’s your reaction to this?
That’s not true at all. There was nothing like spiritual attack or poison. He died in our presence. It’s just a useless rumour, he wasn’t killed by anybody. Allah created him and He has taken him away. We all believe he would be rewarded with Al-jannah Firdous on the day of judgement. I still repeat it, our husband’s death was natural.
How would you describe his last moment and what was the last thing he told you when he was about to die?
The last moment was a shock to all of us. Somebody that was hale and hearty, we all attended the event together, ate the same food and those around him finished his own food and nothing happened to anybody. You should all know that his death was from Allah. Our husband like sharing things, including food with everybody around him. So, no room for any suspicion at all. He died naturally.
What was his last statement?
He didn’t say any other thing than La I lla illa lahu, meaning there is no other God except Allah. That’s what he said before giving up. It’s a sign that he would be ranked among those that will enjoy the full benefits of Al-jannah Firdous in thereafter. We give Allah thanks for that. He lived and died a Muslim.
‘We’re still in shock’ – TAWAKALITU BOLANLE ARIYO, third wife
We commiserate with you on the death of your husband?
Thank you. Allah will bless you.
How does it feel losing him at this time?
It feels sad and painful but there’s nothing anybody can do to stop Allah from doing His work. We all came from Him and to Him shall we all return one day.
How would you describe his death?
It’s painful and sudden. I am still in shock. His exit from the family, Muslim community, entertainment industry and Nigeria will be felt. Our children are still young but we all believe Allah will take good care of them. They will all live long and achieve their aims.
How would you describe your love with him?
I have said it all, he was a loving and caring husband. He was more than a husband to us. He loved all his wives equally. We also loved him but Allah loves him best. We pray Allah grant him eternal rest.
How is life going to be after his death?
We all believe in Allah and we are sure He won’t leave us after our husband’s death. Our husband’s good deeds will be speaking for him. Even after his death, we believe everything will still be okay. Allah is enough for us.
Do you also subscribe to what the other wives said concerning his death?
Yes, we were all there. We’re witnesses to what happened. He died shortly after not even at any hospital. His death was natural. He wasn’t a fighter. Our husband was a complete man, very gentle and easy going. He enjoyed sharing things even with his wives, children and people around him.
Some even said maybe he died of heart attack…
(Cuts in) There was nothing like heart attack. He died when it was God’s time. He was a faithful Muslim. People had written and said so many things about his death, a lot of them were pure lies. Some people just like peddling unnecessary rumours. Our husband was a kind of person that didn’t eat alone. If he was given two pieces of meat, he would give one to anybody around him. His death is painful but we accepted it as part of faith. May Allah reward all his good deeds with Al-jannah Firdous.
Okay, what was the real cause of his death?
Nothing. We just believe it was time.
Did he complain of any pain before the incident?
Nothing like that at all. Alhaji was never sick. He never complained of any ailment since I knew him. Nothing like heart attack. He was very strong and full of life till death. He might have gone but he remains forever in our heart.
‘He was among the best of mankind’ – BADRUDEEN ARIYO, first son
We sympathise with you on the death of your father. May Allah be pleased with him.
Amen. Thank you, sir.
How would you describe his death?
It’s so painful. It’s sad that he left us when we all needed him the most. But I strongly believe Almighty Allah will grant him the reward of Al-jannah Firdous.
How would you describe him?
He was a man of his words. My father was among the best of mankind. He was so nice and caring. He was a great scholar and fantastic singer. He was very good and accommodating. He was also very humble. And I pray all his legacies will be sustained, ma sla Allah.
What would you miss most about him?
A lot of things. I can’t forget his fatherly advice. He was a responsible and caring father we can’t forget forever. His death is a great loss to Muslim community, entertainment industry and Nigeria as a whole. But Al-hamdulillahi, he was a Muslim, and he lived his life with the fear of Allah. May Allah reward him with Al-jannah Firdous.
What do you do?
I am still in Arabic school.
‘He was a caring and loving father’ – IYABO ARIYO, daughter
We commiserate with you on the death of your father?
Thank you, sir.
How would you describe him as a father and an entertainer?
My father was a gentle man. He was caring and God fearing. Words can’t be enough to describe the type of person my dad was. So caring and kind a man. He was also a talented singer.
What would you miss most about him?
Everything, because he was so nice and caring. He loved his children so much and everybody around him.
How would you describe his death?
It’s a great loss in the family, Islamic society and the entertainment industry. It’s sad that my father died at this moment. His death is like a disappearance of a star from the sky. But I thank Allah for a life well spent.
How is life going to be now that he is no more?
I don’t know what to say again. I leave everything in the Hands of Allah, the most powerful.
Was there anything he promised you that he couldn’t fulfil till death beckoned?
He promised so many things. How many of his promises will I be mentioning? He was just a very good and caring father and was always there for us. We would all miss him a lot.
Which school do you attend?
I attend The Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State.
How old are you?
I am 23.
‘He was an easygoing man’ – SEMIU ARIYO, son
How would you describe your daddy?
He was a very nice and caring father to all of us. He was someone who didn’t put the world on his shoulder. He was an easy going person. And he so much believed in Allah.
‘He was a great leader’ -SAIDAT AL-MUBARAK, colleague
How would you describe Alhaji Ariyo’s death?
It was a shocking death. No one expected him to die now, but our prayer for him is to rest in the bosom of Allah.
How would you describe his exit from the industry?
It’s a deadly blow to the Islamic Musician Association of Nigeria and music industry generally. I can’t just know how to describe him. He was just too good. Had it been he could rise again and see what’s happening here today, I believe he would want to continue his good work. Surely, his good deeds are already speaking for him, and so shall it be on the day of judgement. His death is a lesson to all of us. Alhaji Ariyo himself never knew he would die like that but he was always nice and helpful to others. He was a great leader. We will miss him, may Allah grant him eternal rest.
‘His death has left a vacuum’ – ALH. ABDULWASIU AS-SIDEEQ
What kind of person was Alhaji Waheed Yusuf Ariyo?
Alhaji Ariyo was a complete man. He was a fantastic composer and a musician of repute. May Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdous.
How would you describe his exit from ISMAN?
His death has created a vacuum difficult to fill. Definitely, his exit will be highly felt in the Islamic gospel circuit and Nigerian entertainment industry. We will all miss him.
‘He lived a great life’ – BARRYMADE
How would you describe Alhaji Ariyo’s death?
It was a sad news to me and all of us. I was shocked when I heard of his death. But Al-hamdulillahi, he lived a great life. We all loved him but Allah loves him best. So, we pray Allah grant him Al-jannah Firdous.
How would you describe his exit from the entertainment industry?
It’s a great blow to the industry. We will all miss him. He was a great leader.
‘He was a father to us in ISMAN’ – Lagos chapter governor, ALH. OLAYINKA ABDULGANIY
How would you describe Alhaji Waheed Ariyo?
He was our father in ISMAN. He was very important to us. But the most painful thing is that he died when we needed him the most.
How would you describe his death?
Very painful and shocking but there is nothing anybody can do about it. Death is an inevitable end. May Allah grant him Al-jannah Firdous. His role will definitely be missed.
‘He was very accommodating’ – MONSURAT ADEGBENRO (Akobi
How would you describe Alhaji Waheed Ariyo’s death?
It was shocking and incredible. It’s a great loss in the genre and the entire music industry. He was a role model.
What would you miss about him?
We will all miss him a lot, especially my personal self. He was like a father to me. I would definitely miss his advice. Alhaji was very gentle, humble and accommodating. I thank God I benefited a lot from his advice.
– TADE ASIFAT
