Alara-in-Council Mourns, Eulogises Late Arc. (Chief) Isaac Fola Alade

Alara-in-Council Mourns, Eulogises Late Arc. (Chief) Isaac Fola Alade

…He laid the foundation for the modern Aramoko –ADA

POLITICS DIGEST – Alara-in-Council, the highest traditional body in Aramoko Ekiti, home town of Arc. (Chief) Isaac Fola Alade, who died on Friday in Lagos, has described the late renowned public servant as a “priceless national asset” that never lost touch with his community despite his robust national and international profile.

In separate statements issued by Alara-in-Council and Aramoko Development Association (ADA), the bodies, though unanimously, condoled with the immediate family of Chief Fola Alade, and pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss, they emphasized that the late architect would be sorely missed in Aramoko Ekiti because of his monumental contributions to the development of the town.

“Though a National figure, Chief Fola-Alade lived his life for Nigeria and Aramoko in particular. While we are identifying with his immediate family at this trying period of the exit of our dear illustrious son, we also condole with the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba (Dr) Adegoke Olu Adeyemi, mni , JP, Arugbajoye II and all indigenes of the town, who are currently mourning the passage of a man who opened up Aramoko and found a place for the town on the global map,” a statement signed by the Secretary of Alara-in-Council, Chief Bola Fasanmi, (Abalu of Aramoko), stated.

The council lamented that the Aramoko community received the news of Chief Alade “with a very rude shock” and immediately declared a seven days mourning in honour of the late public servant who sacrificed a lot for Aramoko development.

Meanwhile, in a statement signed by ADA President, Dr. Dipo Aladeloye, the association emphatically declared that ‘Chief Alade was not only the architect of the modern Aramoko Ekiti but a special angel in human flesh sent by God Almighty to take the ancient town to its Promised land.

ADA Statement reads; “From anywhere you take the story, it is difficult, if not impossible to profile Aramoko without a special mention of Chief Fola Alade, the Mayegun and Asiwaju of the town. In 1976, arising from his contributions, prodigious delivery on assignments and integrity; the Federal government of the day then sited the headquarters of the present Ekiti West Local Government in Aramoko to encourage him for his unparalleled stewardship and dedication.

“In 1970, he worked assiduously with some notable personalities from the district then (Aramoko, Erijiyan, and Ikogosi towns) and brought what is today known as Aramoko District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko Ekiti.

“In the 80s, Aramoko got into global reckoning when the government of the day sited Nitel IDD and NIPOST in Aramoko to encourage and reward the former Permanent Secretary’s unparalleled stewardship and dedication to the nation’s infrastructural development.

“As one of his efforts to attract development and foster unity among his people, Chief Fola Alade, in 1978, brought in the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) to Aramoko, including installation of street lights. Same year he spearheaded the maiden Aramoko Day Celebration to which he brought in some notable business moguls; Henry Fajemirokun, S.B Bakare, Moshood Abiola and a host of others. This feat of ‘AraDay’ celebration in grand style he repeated at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos in 1982 and few subsequent years,”

While expressing their sincere appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi for identifying with the family and entire people of Aramoko Ekiti at this trying period, the two bodies agreed that Asiwaju Fola Alade had contributed his quota to the development of the Nation, requested the Federal and State Governments should immortalize his name with appropriate monuments.

The bodies also urged Nigerians at large to emulate the late ICON by living lives of selfless service to humanity. They also tasked Aramoko indigenes, both home and in the diaspora, to get set and be involved fully in giving their last respect to the late technocrat whenever his family and government announce the date for his burial.