Bukola Saraki Narrates Father’s Relationship With Late Offa-born Nationalist, Chief J.S Olawoyin
The former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has narrated the relationship between his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki and the first Asiwaju of Offa, Late Chief J.S Olawoyin, describing them as Politicians who engaged in brotherhood politics.
Dr. Bukola Saraki made this remark through his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ladi Hassan at the posthumous centenary celebration of the late nationalist recently held in Offa Descendants’ Union hall.
While honouring the late nationalist’s book launch with the sum of five million naira, he said ,”Late Chief J.S Olawoyin was a great man, and he and late Dr Olusola Saraki had things in common, he loved his community , Offa just like Saraki also loved his community, Ilorin. They both loved their respective communities and Kwara as a whole.
The fact that they belonged to different political parties notwithstanding, they still related very well ,they were never enemies , I remember there were instances that I accompanied Baba Oloye to visit him in Offa, so, it was politics of brotherhood, they were more concerned about their communities , Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.”
In his opening address, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Yusuf Ali SAN represented by Barr. Ibrahim Atofarati described late Chief J.S Olawoyin as a politician with high moral values, he noted that the late nationalist during his lifetime refused all the juicy political offers to stay true to his political convictions.
Speaking further, Prof. Ali said the great Chief Olawoyin used politics to benefit his immediate constituency and the larger North.
“Chief Olawoyin stood for ideals in politics and public service, that was why it wasn’t difficult for him to stand by his principles. His entire life revolved around principles,” he stated.
Also speaking, Kwara South Senator and Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, described the late politician as ‘an inspiration and a lesson for us all’.
‘He was a leading light in the political trajectory of Offa and the defunct Northern Region. It’s now a thing of pride to be a Yoruba man. A Yoruba man can now walk freely in Abuja’ he added.
In his vote of thanks, the son of Chief J.S Olawoyin and Chief Akinrogun of Offa, Barr. Shegun Olawoyin appreciated the traditional rulers, dignitaries, politicians, Offa sons and daughters and the committee for gracing the event and making it a success.
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