Tribute by Michael Olajide Olanipekun Esq.
My path crossed with Alhaji Gbolagade Waheed Adeleke’ path over a decade ago. Alhaji Adeleke was the Director General of Ademola Wasiu Alli (AWA) Foundation the brain child of Dr Ademola Wasiu Alli (another humanist par excellence). As the secretary of the Foundation, I worked with Alhaji Adeleke in the service to humanity through AWA Foundation.
AWA Foundation over the years has put smile on the faces of the less privileged by catering for education needs, health care, business empowerment and poverty alleviation of hundreds of people across Oyo State and Nigeria in General.
The functionality of AWA Foundation as a Non Governmental Organization was squarely on the shoulder of Alhaji Waheed Adeleke and he carried it graciously until he breathed his last!
I can attest to Alhaji Adeleke’s honesty, dedication and love for others. He had knack for excellence in all his undertakings. He guided the younger ones with love. I am a better person with my interactions with him. He was a good listener and a great adviser. He always aired his unbiased and sincere opinions with tact and finesse. He was a model!
As an Administrator, besides being a caretaker Chairman of the Old Oyo Local Government between 1994 and 1996 at a very tender age with candour and honesty, Alhaji Adeleke throughout his life was an astute manager of resources both human and money. Alhaji Adeleke honesty is second to none.
Alhaji Gbolagade Waheed Adeleke rejected opulence living in the course of his serving the Almighty Allah. He was an epitome of humility and humanity! He lived a life worthy of emulation across the religion divide.
It’s very painful to say goodbye because the likes of Alhaji Waheed Adeleke is hard to come by! But we must accept what God says in respect of mortality of human beings that our staying on earth is ephemeral!
Goodnight Alhaji Waheed Gbolagade Adeleke – Aljanah Fridaous to a humanist par excellence!
Michael olajide Olanipekun Esq., writes from Oyo. He is a Legal Practitioner and Secretary, AWA Foundation
