Former SA Sports, Aremo Canvases Support For Bola Oyebamiji At Father 8- Day Fidau Prayer

-Describes Father’s Death As end of a deeply treasured father–son relationship

By Tosin Olasunkanmi, Osogbo

Former Special Adviser on Youth and Sports to the former Governor of Osun State, Aremo Adegboyega Lateef Adelabu, has urged the people of Osun State to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in the forthcoming governorship election, describing him as the most competent and experienced candidate for the job.

Adelabu made the call on Sunday while speaking at the 8th-day Fidau prayer held in honour of his late father, Alhaji Abdullateef Adelabu, at Idi-Ako, Osogbo. The Fidau prayer was attended by family members, political associates, community leaders,and top dignitaries, including Muniru Raji, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, and other notable personalities who gathered to pay their last respects.

Advising residents to prioritise competence and experience in leadership, Adelabu said Oyebamiji’s pedigree, qualifications, and background in financial management clearly distinguished him from other contenders.

“My advice to the people of Osun is to vote for someone who knows what he is doing,” he said. “When you look at his pedigree and qualifications, you will know he is the best person for the job.”

According to Adelabu, Oyebamiji’s expertise in financial engineering and public finance was instrumental in stabilising the state during periods of economic difficulty.

“When Osun was in a serious financial crisis, he was able to manage available resources so that the state did not fall into debt,” he stated. “If such a crisis had happened under the present administration, I believe Osun would have been declared bankrupt by now.”

Adelabu also reflected emotionally on the death of his father, describing it as the end of a deeply treasured father–son relationship.

“Honestly, I believe this is the end of a relationship between father and son,” Adelabu said. “Whenever anything was disturbing me, I would always think of going to meet my dad to explain everything to him.”

He explained that although the loss remains difficult to comprehend, he is comforted by the fact that his father lived a fulfilled and impactful life.

“I cannot say I am sad, because I am happy that he lived a good life,” he added. “But with everything he did in my life, I still cannot fully comprehend what has happened.”

Recounting their final moments together, Adelabu said he was with his father until about noon on the day of his death before leaving to attend another Fidau prayer in Iwo.

“He asked me if I would return that day, and I told him I would be back by 2 or 3,” he recalled. “But while I was on my way, I received a call that his health had deteriorated, and that was the end.”

He noted that his late father was from a royal family, a heritage that further deepened the sense of loss felt by the family and the wider community.

Earlier in his sermon, Islamic cleric Alhaji Abdullateef Abajaoro spoke on the stages of human life and the importance of accountability, particularly for those in positions of authority.

Abajaoro described life symbolically as passing through three stages represented by the numbers 4, 2, and 3

According to him, “4” represents childhood, when a child crawls using two hands and two legs; “2” signifies the active years of youth and adulthood; while “3” represents old age, when a person walks with two legs supported by a walking stick.

“What you do today will count tomorrow,” the cleric warned. “What you did when you were strong and active will serve as your reward when you grow old.”

He urged leaders and citizens alike to reflect on their actions and the legacy they are building for the future.