By Olabisi Qoosim (Imam Ailaka, Ede)
Ede (Osun) Flowerbudnews: The ancient town of Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, bubbled on Tuesday as indigenes and well-wishers from all walks of life converged at the prestigious Western Sun Hotel and Resort to remember and honour the famous late Timi, Oba Adetoyese Laoye.
Oba Laoye, famous for his talking drum beat reigned from 1946 – 1975.
”To me, today (Tuesday:s) event is a combination of education and Islamic gathering which represents the core of human capital development.”
These were the words of Prof A A Adeoye during launch of a book in honour of Oba adetoyese Laoye, the late Timi of Ede land (1946–1975) written by sheikh Dr Abdul Lateef Ajani Adekilekun at the western sun Hotel and Resort, Ede.
The book in honour of the late Timi is titled: Oba Adetoyese Laoye 1946 to 1975.
As it turned out to be, several issues took the upper seat as prominent Nigerians from various walks of life paid glowing tribute to the author, one after the other about his commitment to give back to the society.
Speaking in his capacity as the chairman of the occasion, Hon justice ldrees Haroon Grand Khadi of Kwara state commended the author for finding time to acknowledge the efforts of the late monarch.
He said: “writing is a very special gift and those who are blessed with it are special people and wazeerul Muhmineena is no doubt one of them, they need to be encouraged and celebrated.
The spiritual father of the day, Oba Abdul Rafiu Badmus Omotosho eulogised the Mufti of Ede land and wazeerul Muhmineena of Yoruba land for finding time to remember “one of my forefathers who took the beating of drum as passion.
He said that Baba loved everyone of his students when they were under his tutelage and the results of these is there for everyone to see in the lives of his children.
Sheikh Muideen Salman The chief Imam Offa who was the guest speaker, narrated the author’s life as a message that : “you can be anything you want to be in life provided you know what to do with your time.
He said: I have benefited immensely from his good deeds and his advice is assisting us to make good decisions and what we still tap from his knowledge, that is why I took my son to his son for deep knowledge.
The chief Imam also described the event as a unique, said that the people came in with love and entire envy radiated with love and eulogised the writer as a great contributor to anything he was asked to do.
Continuing, he stated that “we owe ourselves a duty to tell our stories for the unborn generation as Ede Grand Mufti has been doing for them as his students of Arabic and Islamic studies.
In his review, the professor of arts and culture of the university of Ilorin who proved read the book, said that the book which he was presenting when Nigeria was celebrating the 64 years anniversary is a gift to himself as a young senior citizen.
Adding that as you read the Dr Abdul Lateef Adekilekun’s stories, the irresistible power of his style will remind you of some of the master of the talking drum of Oba Adetoyese Laoye like: Bolubadan Baku, Tani o joye. This is the Nigeria Broadcasting service. Ojegede dudu Inu nta pau among many others.
Speaking on behalf of the Laoye family, the former Ede North Local government chairman, Alhaji kamordeen Bayo Olagoke appreciated the writer for finding their father worthy to be celebrated.
He said “the society needs some people like wazeerul Muhmineena- a fearless orator who can take bull by the horns by separating the truth from the false. He concluded.
This colourful ceremony was graced by the cream of the society as the chief of staff to the Governor, traditional rulers, clerics, political functionaries, Vice chancellors, Deans of schools and notable well wishers were not left out.
Sheikh Abdul Lateef Adekilekun , born in over 70 years ago started his academic career from sheikh Muhammad Jamiu Ayinla Abdul Qoodri Adekilekun before proceeding to Sheikh Kamal Al Adabiyy in Ilorin and eventually Al Az’ari University, Cairo, Egypt in 1972.
He blossom in his chosen career, appointed as vice chairman of old Ede local government in 1994. He loves people and vice versa, married and blessed with fruitful children.
