The Deputy President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao,69, on Wednesday died in London, few hours before he was due to return to Nigeria.
His remains will be brought to the country today and the burial will take place tomorrow.
Oyo State governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, officially broke the news of the death of the spiritual leader to both President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo.
The state government has declared Friday as a public holiday, while it declared seven days of mourning, during which the flag will fly at half mast.
The great Islamic leader had gone for a medical check up on Wednesday morning and opted to have a little rest. That could not however be as he failed to wake up from his sleep which drew the attention of his family members. Attempts to wake him led to the discovery that he had passed on.
It was also gathered that the business mogul had put a call through to one of his personal assistants in Ibadan in the early hours of Wednesday to prepare his cars for his impending arrival later in the day. This it was gathered made the news more shocking as the crew had filled the tanks of the cars on the convoy list meant to pick him up at the airport, while awaiting further directives.
But to their surprise, the next directive was various calls from far and near to confirm the rumour of his death. It is learnt that the renowned philanthropist returned from a lesser hajj last week before his last trip outside the country.
In addition, the shock of his death was freely expressed as most people who usually thronged his residence for one assistance or the other cried uncontrollably on getting to the residence. One of them, who said he could not believe that “Daddy is dead”. The young man eventually had cause to believe when the state governor arrived at the house. He broke down and was rolling on the ground before some people came to placate him.
As sympathizers were discussing in hush tones the demise of their benefactor, a truck conveying goodies meant to be distributed at the commencement of 2014 Ramadan drove in, those around the gate side broke down into tears.
The Chief Imam of Ibadan land later held a brief exhortation for the crowd he left the venue.
Read more about the LIFE AND TIMES OF ALHAJI ABDUL-AZESS ARISEKOLA ALAO HERE
