Rafiu Ibrahim: Sunset at Noon

Late Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim

 

By Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed

The last one week has been traumatizing with nightmarish experience following the transition of Dr Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, a former Senator for Kwara South Senatorial District. As an individual who possessed attributes human being would love to be identified with, debate ensued thereafter as to whether the demise of Senator Ibrahim was sudden or shocking.

To some pundits, exiting the stage at 57 like the deceased legislator is premature while a number of others hold the view that to depart to the next world when ovation is loudest is of the essence.

Both camps could be right, provided plausible reasons are advanced. Those of the opinion that the passing is early may pick their standpoint from the profound impact of the subject of discourse on the society, which ordinarily should linger devoid of hindrance.

For the camp that holds the view that transition from mortality to immorality is normal for human being even though it could be shocking, earthly existence is transient but of import is the legacy bequeathed to the next generation to carry forward.

Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, a man with a humble beginning from Ojoku, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, lived for and served humanity to the best of his ability. He combined his avalanche of experience as a banker with brilliance and attention for details.

Right from the day of his oath-taking as a member of the sixth legislature of the Kwara State House of Assembly for Oke-Ogun Constituency, Ibrahim endeared himself to many people with his humility, generosity and willingness to serve God through humanity.

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Like a few others, the Ojoku-born ex-Senator could be described as a man who enjoyed divine grace to climb the ladder, which propelled his political career in the midst of heavyweights in the landscape of politics.

In quick succession, Dr Ibrahim moved from being a member of the state House of Assembly (between 2009 and 2011) to House of Representatives (Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency) from 2011 to 2015 and Senator for Kwara South in the National Assembly (2015 to 2019).

True to his character, Senator Ibrahim related with everyone that came in contact with him with ease. Here was a man whose tentacles spread across the state. In fact, an argument ensued on why he extended his generosity to the three Senatorial Districts of the state. But some of the responses back then were that Dr Ibrahim lived and reflected his true character.

Another quality that defined the deceased former legislator was his dream to be a member of intellectual community, which he pursued to a logical conclusion with his attainment of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) at Lead City University, Ibadan, many years ago.

Even though Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim has exited the stage, his profound impact on humanity, his philosophy of life and the legacy he bequeathed to the people around him would endure. For the Ojoku-born ex-Senator, it is sunset at noon.

Ahmed writes from Ilorin