The death has been announced of the Baale of Bodija, Alhaji Rasheed Adesokan. The announcement was made by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Chairman of the Oyo State Muslim Community. Adesokan died at the University College Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, today, Saturday, 25th March, 2023.
Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed deep sadness over the death of the prominent Muslim leader as the group has been thrown into mourning. This was revealed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement issued on Saturday, 25th March, 2023.
Akintola said: “The Balogun Mumini of Yorubaland, and Baale of Bodija, Alhaji Rasheed Adesokan, died today, Saturday, 25th March, 2023. His death occurred at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State. His death was announced by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Chairman of the Oyo State Muslim Community.
“Rasheed Adesokan was a great philanthropist. He gave with smiles. In particular, he personally took it upon himself to distribute copies of the English-Arabic translated Qur’an to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Even MURIC and its sister da’wah organization, the Telly Da’wah, collected several copies of the translated text from Adesokan’s Islamic office at Bodija, Ibadan.
“MURIC is severely devastated by Baale Adesokan’s death but as believers, we accept Allah’s wish. True to his Islamic title as the Balogun Mumini of Yorubaland, Baale Rasheed Adesokan fought vigorously for the liberation of Yoruba Muslims. His courage knew no bounds.
“The Executive Director of MURIC is a living witness to Adesokan’s boldness and his readiness to manifest solidarity with troubled Muslim activists. Baale Rasheed Adesokan insisted that the police must arrest him too when they arrested Professor Akintola as he was delivering a lecture.
“That was around the year 1995 when the Late General Sanni Abacha led the military junta. Akintola was delivering a lecture on military dictatorship inside Mapo Hall, Ibadan, when the venue was stormed by several policemen. They forcefully stopped the lecture, seized the microphone from Akintola’s hand and took him away.
“Baale Adesokan insisted that he must also be arrested. He followed them to the police station. Akintola was thrown behind the counter but Baale Adesokan refused to leave the station. He continued to make contacts with his cellular telephone until he secured Akintola’s release.
“He has been a major backbone of MURIC and Telly Da’wah ever since. Baale Adesokan was one of the few titled Muslim leaders who truly deserved their titles. Rasheed Adesokan was a real Balogun Mumini.
“Farewell the Muslim generalissimo. May Almighty Allah make your rest in barzakh a period of peace for you. May He have mercy on you and forgive all your trespasses. May your soul be reposed in Al-Jannah Firdaus. We pray that Allah gives your family the fortitude to bear this huge loss. Aamiin Allahumma Aamiin.
