By Abdulrazaq Ola Sulaiman
Alhaji Ola Sulaiman, a highly respected community leader, business tycoon and proud father will tomorrow Saturday, 26th March 2022 clock 89.
Born in 1933 by Alhaji Sulaiman Oba and Alhaja Fatimah, both of blessed memories, the celebrant remain the only surviving child of his parents and started his career as a tailor in Nigeria before he later moved to Ghana in 1957.
Records has shown that some of his colleagues in the tailoring profession were: Late Garba Pakata, late Alabi Adewudere and late Aremu Alafin Oke-Agbede who tailoring who were all sponsored by late Alhaji Amuda Turawa Oloriegbe
Shortly after Nigeria got her Independence in 1960, young Ola Sulaiman returned from Ghana and relocated to New Bussa with the establishment of Hydroelectric Power in Kainji Dam to continue his tailoring occupation to work for the Plant workers especially expertriates like Italians and Portuguese therein.
After 10 years in Kainji, New-Bussa, he relocated to Ilorin where he co-established Tailoring Union with the likes of late Alhaji Ismaila Jimoh Adua and late Alhaji Jimoh Ita-Ogunboh
In later part of his active life, he ventured into trading in Shea butter with his Late friends; Alhaji Baba Kano Sagaya and Alhaji Ayinla Gattah who were his closest friends.
As a successful enterprenuer, Alhaji Ola Sulaiman established a company named: Ola Sulaiman Enterprises and as a General Contractor, he has over decades undertaken jobs for local and state governments respectively.
His political interest stem from his father’s deep involvement in the defunct Ilorin Talaka Parapo (ITP) in 1950s and later embraced the Northern Progressive Congress, (NPC).
He was actively involved in the political activities with the defunct NPC alongside the likes of late Alfa Alabi Makana, late Alhaji Babatunde Alanamu, late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki as his political leaders in the late 1960s and 1970s.
He has been actively involved and participated in the community development services of Oke-Apomu areas and ascended the position of the Chairman, Oke-Apomu Central Community Mosque after the death of late Alhaji Shuaib Oganija.
Among his childhood friends were; late Alhaji Salihu Arowona, late Alhaji Busari Bature, Alhaji Baba n Gani of Ile-Kewu, late Alhaji Baba Kano Sagaya, late Alhaji Abdulrauf Gashua, late Daudu Fufu, Alhaji Baba Bello, Alhaji Salihu Mahamud Okekere, Alhaji Mustapha Orisankoko, (Magaji Orisankoko), Alhaji Musa Mayaki, late Alhaji Ayinla Alanamu, Dr. Abdulrasheed Alanamu, Alhaji Baba -Eko,(Present Balogun Ajikobi) and many others.
As the only child of his parents, he had required trainings from his father which prepared him for the challenges of life as he later became an accomplished businessman with very large families of 26 children and over 60 grandchildren and great grand children who shares his philosophy of unity and love. May Almighty Allah continue to bless Baba and grant him sound health and more wisdom to achieve more for humanity.
