An icon is gone !
Alhaji Uthman Adegboyega Abolarin was born on Monday, 23rd May, 1953 to the family of the late Chief Imam of Aran-Orin -Alhaji Salaudeen Folagboye Abolarin. As faith would have it, he was the first born/Daodu/Olórí Ẹbí of The Abolarin Dynasty.
His Early Life
He was trained and cared for by his paternal grandmother Chief (Mrs) Orisafunmilayo Ajike Abolarin.
He started learning the Islamic knowledge from his early life. He started formal education in 1961. He was a brilliant student from the beginning to the end. He started writing letters for people as early as when he was in primary two. He was gentle and peace loving. He was loved by nearly all around him.
His father, Alh. Salaudeen Abolarin did not allow him venture into labourer “agbaro” which his colleagues ventured into for extra pocket money arguing that he had done that enough and none of his progeny will suffer that again. For this reason, he had maximum time for his western and Islamic studies.
His Quranic and Western Education
Late Alh. Uthman A.Abolarin started attending madrasah (Ile kewu) as a toddler. He had learnt the ABC in Arabic version before he was registered for Primary School. His first Muslim tutor was Alfa wòlíì and later Alfa Waliyyi Alawaye. He was the first Muslim child to attend a western oriented educational institution in Aran-Orin. Earlier Muslim children attended Arabic Schools for fear of changing their religion which was rampant at that time.
At this juncture, the Muslim Community kick against the idea and warned his father -Alh. Salaudeen Folagboye Abolarin from sending him to secondary school. However his father stood his ground promising the Muslim Community that his own son, then Sunmonu Abolarin will not change his religion. The rest is history.
He started his secondary education at Government Secondary School Ìlọrin in the year 1968. He graduated in the year 1972. After his secondary education he went to Kaduna to meet one of his cousins, Alh. Ismail Olorungbebe who was until his death in the year 1999 the Chief Imam of Ansarudeen Kaduna.
There he worked as a clerical staff with the R & A Services a branch of UAC Conglomerate. That was in 1974/1975.
His immediate younger brother- Alhaji Jamiu Abolarin obtained an entrance form for him to study at the then Kwara State College of Technology Ilorin to study marketing. He passed the entrance exam and was eventually admitted. He concluded his studies in HND Marketing in 1978. He went for his NYSC 1979/1980 in the then Imo State.
Alhaji Uthman Adegboyega Abolarin, a lifelong learner, pursued a degree in Business Administration at Al-Hikmah University after his retirement, graduating in flying colors. He furthered his education by completing a post graduate program, M.Sc in Business Administration at the same institution. At the time of his passing, he was a Ph.D student in the same Department of Business Administration at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
His Working Career
He had a stint at the R & A services a branch of the UAC conglomerate shortly after he completed his secondary School. After his NYSC, he got teaching employment at Okeya High School. He was later appointed as a Principal at Ansar-Ul-Islam Secondary School Owu-Isin.
He later taught at Ansar-Ul-Islam Secondary School Oloje Ìlọrin. He registered for his MBA at University of Ìlọrin. He was later appointed as Marketing Manager at Kwara State Television Station. From there he was posted to Kwara State Ministry of Commerce where he retired in the year 2012/2013.
His roles and activities in YMAN, Aran-Orin Muslim Community and Islam at large.
Alh.Uthman Abolarin was an energetic Islamic propagator. He learnt that from the late legend- Alh.Ismail Oyeyipo Olorungbebe Tuhammy at the primary and secondary school levels.
At the higher institution in the then Kwara State College of Technology Ilorin , Alh. Ishaq Kunle influenced his love for comparative religion. He was so much versed in this that he used to quote the Bible more than any Bible thumper he debated with. This was in the days of MSSN. He was later chosen as the Chairman Kwara State Area unit of the MSSN. A post he held for two terms. At that time, Professor Ishaq Olarewaju Oloyede ( the present JAMB Registrar) was his vice Chairman and he, Prof.I.O Oloyede took over the barton of chairmanship from him when Alh. Uthman Abolarin graduated in the year 1979.
Here at home, he leveraged on his rich experiences in MSSN, which enhanced his ability to play crucial roles and make valuable contributions in YMAN as well as Aran-Orin Muslim Community.
AS an Educationist
-His legacy lives on through the countless minds he had shaped and inspired.
-His passion for learning and teaching had left an indelible mark in the lives of those who came across him.
-He had ignited a love for knowledge in so many hearts.
-His positive impact will forever remain fresh in memories.
As a group/Islamic Leader
-His leadership style and guidance were extremely unique.
– His dedication to spreading the tenets of Islam had inspired countless individuals who knew or heard about his missionary journeys.
-He embodied the values of compassion, wisdom, and faith.
-His sacrifice and selflessness in the face of adversity had inspired our generation.
-His heroism will always be remembered.
-His memory will be cherished forever.
As a Kindhearted Personality
-His kindness, empathy, and generosity touched the hearts of so many people.
-He had a way of making everyone feel seen and heard.
-His heart was full of love, and his spirit was full of life.
-He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on.
My first Encounter with the Departed Soul
In1995. As a young graduate from secondary school, who had passed ‘O’ level WAEC exams with good result and was seeking admission into higher institution of learning. I went to see him at Kwara State Television Station, at that time, he was the Marketing Manager. In accordance with office’s protocol, his secretary/receptionist asked me to enter his office, when he saw me he said AbdulGaniy aburo Iyabo, I guess you came to see me and I responded affirmatively yes sir, he then said before we engage in any discussion let’s go and eat. We went to a restaurant, we ate pounded yam , he paid and we returned to his office. On getting to his office, he said you can now talk to me. I said sir, I am seeking admission to study at Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin and I need your assistance sir. He said aburo you will not go to Polytechnic but University. He said the descrimination at work-place is worrisome. He related his personal experience and said go and obtain University JAMB. I obtained University JAMB and also enrolled for IJMB ‘A’ level which till today is being run by Ahmadu Bello University Zaria via Kwara State Polytecnic Ilorin.
Subsequently , I passed both exams and with IJMB ‘A’ level result I was offered admission to study Accounting at University of Ilorin . My ability to follow through his candid advice and mentorship reshaped my educational journey. The rest remains history !
He equally narrated the story of his Cousin who was offered admission to study Computer Science at Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin. His address was used, he received the admission letter , failed to inform his cousin and kept the admission letter. He said he decided not to let his Cousin know when he received the admission letter so that he could focus on his preparation for JAMB and IJMB ‘A’ level exams which he concurrently passed and he was offered admission to study Medicine at University of Ilorin. The said maternal Cousin is now a Medical Doctor (Consultant).
My subsequent engagements with Alh.Uthman Abolarin coupled with the two instances shared above, I arrived at conclusion that “this is an uncommon man with exceptional attributes” and until his death he kept to his unique qualities.
It’s good to be good !
” SURU” BABA IWA – To the best of my knowledge, late Alh.Uthman Abolarin’s calmness and endurance were second to none amongst the ABOLARINS, members of YMAN and Aran-Orin Muslim Community. My remark here is open for correction. Hence, for the vacuum created by his demise to be filled by anyone remains UNEASY just to say the least as I refrained from saying it’s practically impossible.
As we mourn this rare Icon, it’s important to note that he was neither God nor a prophet of Allah, therefore there was no how he would have been perfect 100% but as for me , I never saw his bad side and I never heard people making negative remarks about him while alive and even after his passing.
To this end, the take away lesson for those of us he left behind both old and young, let us be good examples for others. Whatever we do today shall definitely become history tomorrow. ” Eje ka gbe Ile aye se rere”.
Note: Readers of this tribute should feel free to make remarks about the Iconic man .
Prayers:
– May Allah SWT be pleased with Alh. Uthman Abolarin’s Soul.
– May HE accept his return, forgive his sins, grant him the highest place in Aljanah Fridaouz.
– May Allah SWT protect all he left behind.
– May HE grant the Abolarin’s dynasty the comfort, patience, strength and understanding required at this difficult time that they grieve their own Olori Ebi.
– May Allah SWT grant all members of YMAN, Aran-Orin Muslim Community, the entire people of Aran-Orin, his friends, school mates, colleagues and associates across the globe the fortitude to bear the great loss.
– Aamin Thuma Aamin.