By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, were among prominent dignitaries who attended the burial of Mrs. Sidikat Basiru, mother of the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday.
The dignitaries joined family members, political associates and sympathisers at the Janazah prayer held at the Ansarudeen Central Mosque Cemetery, Sabo, Osogbo, where the deceased was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Speaking with journalists after the burial, the Osun State APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, expressed condolences to Senator Basiru and the entire family over the loss of their matriarch.
Oyebamiji prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul, asking Almighty Allah to grant her Aljanah Firdaus and comfort the family she left behind.
Also speaking, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Sarafadeen Alli, described the late Mrs. Basiru as a virtuous woman and prayed for Allah’s mercy upon her.
“May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljanah Firdaus. I pray that there will be unity in the family after the departure of our beloved mother. May her death bring many good things to us in Osun State and Nigeria generally,” Alli said.
In his remarks, Senator Ajibola Basiru paid an emotional tribute to his late mother, describing her as a woman of immense sacrifice, love and unwavering dedication to her children.
He recalled that despite her modest means, she worked tirelessly and made enormous personal sacrifices to ensure that he and his elder brother received quality education and proper upbringing.
According to him, his mother engaged in petty trading and even sold some of her treasured personal belongings, including valuable porcelain items, to pay their school fees and meet their needs.
“I give glory to Almighty Allah for a life well spent. She was an embodiment of industry, love and self-sacrifice in raising my elder brother and me.
“She was not a wealthy woman, but whatever she had, she devoted to our education and upbringing. I remember that she sold her personal belongings, including her cherished porcelain items, to pay our school fees. For a woman to part with such treasured possessions for the sake of her children’s future was a remarkable sacrifice.
“Today, we thank Almighty Allah that her sacrifices were not in vain. She raised two boys who have become responsible men, and we are grateful that her life is being celebrated across Nigeria and beyond.
“My mother was a devoted Muslim who raised us in the fear of Allah. In fact, one of the few things that displeased her was whenever I failed to observe my prayers at the appropriate time. No matter what else I did, she believed that observing one’s prayers promptly was non-negotiable,” Basiru said.
The burial attracted a large number of political leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, Islamic clerics and party faithful, who gathered to pay their last respects to the late Mrs. Sidikat Basiru.