The people of Kajola Local Government and beyond on Saturday, September 27, 2025, gathered in Okeho to pay their final respects at the 8-day Fidau prayer organised in honour of the late Alhaji Arimiyau Oyinlola Akanji, father of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant, Hon. Aleem Isa Ajibola Oyinlola.
The solemn but spiritually uplifting event, which was held at the family residence, drew a large crowd comprising Islamic scholars, respected community leaders, political stakeholders, family members, friends and well-wishers who converged to celebrate the life of a man many described as pious, humble, and committed to the service of his community and religion.
The deceased, who passed on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at a ripe age, was widely acknowledged as a devout Muslim, community leader, and religious icon whose legacy of integrity and service will continue to resonate within and outside Kajola.
The Fidau prayer was led by eminent Islamic clerics who used the platform to remind the gathering about the inevitability of death and the need to live purposeful lives dedicated to God and humanity.
In his sermon, Alhaji Imam Soliu Olawale Ahmad Tijani, the Chief Imam of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria (AISN), Okeho branch, and the State Missioner of the society, underscored the importance of embodying moral and spiritual virtues. He urged attendees to cultivate qualities such as trustworthiness, humility, patience, and the strengthening of family bonds. Imam Tijani further stressed the value of building genuine synergy with people, noting that such qualities ultimately define how one will be remembered after death.
Similarly, Ustadh Lukman Alamol Yekeen, another prominent cleric at the event, extolled the virtues of the late Alhaji Akanji. He described him as a man of peace, an impactful leader, and a devout Muslim whose exemplary lifestyle left indelible marks on his family and community. Ustadh Yekeen admonished the congregation to shun sinful behaviours, constantly seek Allah’s forgiveness, and avoid using wealth, influence, or social standing as instruments of oppression or intimidation.
In a moving tribute, Hon. Aleem Isa Ajibola Oyinlola, the son of the deceased and an aspirant for the Oyo State House of Assembly in 2027, described his late father as a virtuous and principled man whose impact on his family and community would remain unforgettable.
According to him, his father was not only a disciplinarian but also a compassionate figure who invested greatly in the upbringing of his children. “Baba did everything within his capacity to give us sound tutelage in both Islamic and Western education,” Hon. Ajibola remarked, adding that the values instilled by his father have become guiding lights in his personal and political journey.
He further expressed gratitude to God for the gift of such a father and promised to uphold the principles of honesty, service, and faith that his father lived by.
Another family member, Mr. Tajudeen Oyinlola, eulogised the deceased as a family man of rare quality. He described Alhaji Akanji as not only a religious icon but also a notable figure whose contributions to the community left lasting legacies. Tajudeen prayed that Allah forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, grant him eternal rest, and admit him into Aljanat-ul Firdaus.
The event attracted the presence of notable personalities cutting across religious, political, and social divides. Community leaders, political icons, and family friends from far and near thronged the venue to solidarise with the Oyinlola family. Many attendees remarked that the large turnout was a testament to the goodwill and respect that the late Alhaji Akanji commanded during his lifetime.
Political stakeholders present also used the opportunity to commend Hon. Ajibola for honouring his father in such a befitting way, describing the Fidau as both spiritually enriching and socially unifying.
Those who spoke at the Fidau were unanimous in their description of Alhaji Akanji as a man whose life revolved around faith, service, and humility. His ability to inspire others, coupled with his unwavering commitment to the development of his community, ensured that he left behind not only children well-rooted in Islamic and Western knowledge but also a legacy of peace, generosity, and uprightness.
The hitch-free programme ended with collective prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for strength for the family to bear the irreparable loss. The clerics and well-wishers prayed that Allah continue to bless the Oyinlola family and grant them the fortitude to carry on the legacy of their patriarch.
As the community bid farewell to Alhaji Arimiyau Oyinlola Akanji, the gathering reflected a powerful reminder of the transient nature of life and the eternal value of good deeds, faith, and selfless service. For many, Baba’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations within Kajola and beyond.
