Encomium
IT was certainly a celebration of a life well spent for Prince Jimoh Akanbi Kareem-Laka aka Orelope , the father of Lagos State deputy governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire , who died on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the very ripe age of 101 years and was buried on Friday, December 19, 2014.
On second day of Christmas, Friday, December 26, 2014, the children led by Her Excellency, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, did not spare any cost to give their father a befitting 8th day Fidau prayers and final burial. The prayers and the shindig that followed took place at the open field of Ikeja Police College, Ikeja Lagos.
Because of the Jumat prayers for the Muslims on that Friday the Fidau prayers did not start until 3 p.m. The Fidau prayer was conducted by prominent Muslim clerics in the state led by the National Missioner/Chief Imam of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulraman Ahmad. All the Muslim clerics were resplendent in all white apparel which we gathered was provided by Her Excellency, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the deputy governor of Lagos State and first daughter of the deceased.
CHRISTIANS OFFERED THEIR PRAYERS TOO
Though the deceased was devout Muslim during his life time he never discriminated against anybody based on religion nor did he stop any of his children from practising any religion of their choice.
It was not surprising therefore to see The Most Rev. Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo of the Anglican Church of Nigeria offering prayers at the occasion.
Of course, it is a common knowledge that the deceased most prominent child, Her Excellency, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, is a Christian and a member of Anglican communion. As a matter of fact, the same Dr. Adebola Ademowo was the one who presided over the Christmas Carol at the deputy governor’s lodge, Ikoyi, few days before the Fidau prayers. This is to show how the Adefulires and the Ademowos are close.
THE PROFILE OF LATE PRINCE JIMOH KAREEM LAKA ORELOPE
Prince Jimoh Akanbi Kareem-Laka a.k.a Orelope was born on February 25, 1913 into the illustrious royal families of Olugbede and Akeja Oniyanru in Lagos State.
He had his elementary education at Idimu Primary School, Idimu before joining his father in farming business. He left farming to become an apprentice bicycle technician. He later became a master technician in bicycle that specialised in White Raleigh bicycles.
From bicycle business he moved into transportation business with fleet of vehicles popularly known as Bolekaja and later buses transversing Agege to Oshodi, Egbeda, Idimu and beyond. He was also in farm produce business with which he opened up Awori hinterland. With his transportation and farm produce business booming he soon added a building material company, J.A. Laka Enterprises to his business empire.
Late Prince Jimoh Akanbi Kareem-Laka was also an astute politician and throughout his lifetime he was in the progressive party. He started his politics in the First Republic as member of Action Group (AG). He was also a member of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic and a member of Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the Third Republic.
In the present political dispensation he was a staunch and influential member of Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress of Nigeria and All Progressives Congress.
Pa Jimoh Akanbi Kareem-Laka was also a consummate philanthropist in his lifetime who was willing to assist anybody irrespective of your religion, ethnic leaning. This is what gave him the nickname Orelope (it is worthy to do good), the name with which many people called him till his death.
He was also a community lover that was committed to the progress and development of the Aworis. He was a strong and staunch member of Egbe Omo Idimu, Awori Elites and Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria.
He was a devout and devoted Muslim. It was in recognition of his devotion that he was honoured with the Muslim titles such as Otun Alakoso Adinni of Lagos State by United Muslim Council, the Seriki Adinni of Ikeja Division, Baba Adinni of Egbeda Central Mosque, Baba Adinni of Youmbas Central Mosques, amongst others.
THE RECEPTION
After the Fidau prayers, guests were treated to sumptuous meals and drinks at the reception party which was held in another marquee apart from the one where the Fidau took place. The marquee for the reception were of two kinds. One was for the prominent people while the other one was for the general public.
K1 THE ULTIMATE ON THE BANDSTAND
Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, a.k.a K1 de Ultimate was on the bandstand where he entertained the audience.
TRIBUTES
“In all fairness and truthfulness he was a principled and disciplined man who was always willing to be of help.
“Baba is a steadfast, loyal and dedicated political leader and an icon, a philanthropist and family man with the interest of all at heart at all times. He preferred to spend his money on political aspirants than collect any money from them. He is indeed worthy of emulation. I believe if all politicians can follow his footsteps, the society would be better for all.”
– HE Abiodun A. Adefulire
“When a man has lived for over a century and spent that time positively impacting upon his environment and the lives of the people around him, what we must do is rejoice and give thanks to the Almighty Allah for a life spent in an exceptional manner.
“Pa Orelope lived to be 101, and those years were years well spent. From the time he was a young man, the Prince distinguished himself, choosing to strike out on his own and build a transport service business that laid the framework for today’s mass transit system.
“He created employment for many through his business interests and he inspired many to pursue the path of entrepreneurship. He was also well known as a philanthropist who took it upon himself to provide for not just his family but others around him.
“Beyond business, he cared about the running of the country’s affairs and contributed his quota to the political development of Nigeria. Through his activities in various political parties.
“Prince Orelope was by every standard a remarkable man, one who retained his humility despite the great strides he made during his time. He was a man whose life we must all strive to emulate to make our society a better place.”
– Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN (Governor of Lagos State)
“The late Pa Orelope was a philanthropist. He was indeed the proverbial giver who never lacked. Although he would want to keep most of his acts of generosity secret, he is fondly remembered as the leader to whom anyone could turn in the time of great need and distress.
“The late Pa Orelope sacrificed greatly for the common good. During the major democratic struggles of our nation, Pa Orelope was there and in the struggle against successive military regimes, he was not silent. For nearly 60 years, he was part of the ongoing struggle to make Nigeria a better country that is democratically governed and one that meets the aspirations of all.
“Indeed, the passing of Pa Orelope is a depletion of the ranks of the relentless fighters for a just and free society. His service to the Action Group, the Unity Party of Nigeria and the Social Democratic Party who are the forebears of our great party, the All Progressives Congress will forever remain appreciated, remembered and regarded as one of the greatest service one could ever render to one’s country. We must celebrate him and hold him up as a model of selfless service and commitment. We must collectively rise up to immortalize this great and cerebral man, who invested his life in the service of humanity.
“Adieu Papa. You can rest assured that the excellent work you did will long outlive you; you can rest assured that your illustrious children are preserving your legacy of service and you can look back with pride at the countless number of democracy soldiers for whom you serve as an enduring inspiration.”
– Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“He was diligent, hard working, resourceful and kind. He was a man I am proud to call my father. There’s no doubt that we the children have lost a father, the people of Lagos have lost a mentor, the Aworis have lost a leader, the Nigerian people have lost a figure of unity.
“Yet, we are comforted by his ideals. We are happy that he lived a fulfilled life. We are fortunate that we were privileged to benefit from his lasting legacies.”
– Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire
-TOLANI ABATTI
