Celebrating A Fathers' Father In Late Pa. Alhaji Sanni Ahmed Alabi Ododo: SPECIAL DEDICATION TO THE BLESSED MEMORY OF LATE PA. ODODO ALABI BY G-60 GROUP, KOGI STATE... Written By: ONIBIYO, E'Dayo

Celebrating A Fathers' Father In Late Pa. Alhaji Sanni Ahmed Alabi Ododo

 SPECIAL DEDICATION TO THE BLESSED MEMORY OF LATE PA. ODODO ALABI BY G-60 GROUP, KOGI STATE.

Written By: ONIBIYO, E'Dayo

Obviously, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is not the only father from the late but living Alhaji Sanni Ahmed Alabi Ododo who passed on, unto glory some few days ago, having served humanity without regret, at such a ripe age, which does not in anyway signify sadness in any circumstances, having lived   joyfully to see one of his seeds rose to be a Governor in his state, and a performing one, may the name of Allah SAW be blessed.

VICE PRESIDENT SHETIMA ON A CONDOLENCE VISIT

The burial which took place under the normal Islamic notice, left no one in doubt as to Baba's acceptability and goodness to the people, who also trooped out with glorious recognition of the effort thus far by Governor Ododo, who had picked the state from where he met it to a rising position, yet not stopping. 

The presence of the low and high at the event, not excluding the Presidency, made it looked like, it's an age long pronouncement of the date as crowd control became a subject to avert any unfortunate incident happening at a fortunate moment, as Professor Adeoye rightly puts it that, "there can't be a better time to die than now", as Late Alhaji Sanni Alabi Ododo's demise drew people from far and near due to his simple way of touching lives even before one of his children became a Governor.

LATE PA. ALABI ODODO

Alhaji Alabi, an EBIRA man with purely a Yoruba name, tells the spread of his person even by nature, and confirms his ability not to discriminate, as one of the community leaders classified him, a father with a “very” large heart, he added that, Pa. Ododo hates to see anyone suffering, he is a cushion pad to many, as his words suits a pained-nerve and wipe tears from the face of the weeping.

If the number of people who attended the fidau can raise the dead, then today, Pa Ododo would have being long back on his feets' as legs thronged and blocked all known access to the compound, the community simply emptied to the place and of course the entire state, as people came from even outside the country to pay their last respect.

We are not really moved by the presence of the high in the society, as it is the natural practice by protocols, as they must have come in solidarity with this and that of his children, but the heavy presence of the locos who abandoned farms, markets, Rivers, offices and other personal doings to honour the departed soul willingly, not that schools or places were shut or closed by Government order or any other power anywhere, but that, they find it happy within them as honourable and an opportunity to say thank you to Pa. Ododo. Like the elders will say, "ijeri aiye, ni ijeri orun, (meaning- _the testimony here on earth is same as in heaven)_ Pa Alabi throughout his life time, was a lover of the people, loved back"

Baba Pa Alabi, truly deserves the accolade of AKORO, used on him by the people who are very close to him, meaning WELDONE, in fact some said, his love for the people contributed to why his son was generally acceptable for that office and they added that, what he can't share with an unhappy person is yet to be known, he is also a man of the children who hardly leaves his place, confirming his true love for people, that Pa. Ododo does not discriminate.

The good people of Upogoro, where he hails from will for a very long time, continue to miss him, as most of them described his exit has not only painful, but one that has left a vacuum in the community, that will take decades to cover, better still, they said a willing helper is gone, a man with listening ears and a free giver.

There is a strong curve in remembering Pa. Alabi Ododo when it comes to helping people and not getting it announced, as a matter of fact, it's a known creed, that if you broadcast his assistance to you, you may not get another, unfortunately, Governor Ododo could not continue on this note because of the paraphernalia of office, particularly, the media, who will blow it and won't spare it, as well, if it's the other way round.

Pa. Ododo is a completely different human being here, who does not take to the street or grab the microphone after helping or rendering help to anyone or group, unlike some who can't offer any help without broadcasting it and where possible making it a subject like the tortoise, who lifts the Bible on his head any day he manages to visit the church.

Well, obviously, people don't want anyone good person to die, that will explain why anyone will emotionally refer to a death at 83 years as painful or otherwise, when indeed the man has lived so fulfilling a life, not minding the fact, that age is the grace of God Almighty and going by happening in the world and in Nigeria in particular today, when many factors now aid deaths, Pa. Ododo has indeed lead a worthy life worthy of emulation and one that as human, we can summarize as far reaching to humanity.

We join millions to celebrate the Late but living Pa. Alhaji Sanni Alabi Ododo and to wish his family the best ever after and protect them at all times, as we enjoined them to emulate him in their different places of residents, and to the Chief Mourner His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, we say be strong, take solace in Papa’s good deeds and be strong like in the Quran 20:46, which says, "Do not fear; I am with you".