MEET CLERIC WHO PREDICTED OWN DEATH
Sheikh Sadrudeen Bamidele Biobaku's death marked the end of a generation of the few Islamic scholars and clerics, who would always call a spade, a spade. Before he died, he had long predicted that he would die on a Thursday and would be buried on a Friday.
This came to pass penultimate Thursday as he breathed his last at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was buried the following day at his Salamu Kaola, Oke-Lantoro residence. It was witnessed by hundreds of Imams and Islamic clerics, both from within and outside the Ogun State capital.
His house became a Mecca of sorts for Islamic clerics across the country who came to pay their last respects to the slamic preacher. Among those who witnessed the fidau were Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Sheikh Ajani Muyideen Bello, Sheikh Abdullah Adam El-Ilori, Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liad Orunsolu, chief missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen in the state, Alhaji Yunus Odekunle and chief missioner of Naiwa-ud-Deen in the state, Alhaji Yunus Kehinde.
Biobaku was the Chief Imam of Gbagura-Abeokuta and Secretary-General of League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland among other notable titles. He was a disciplinarian and an upright Islamic scholar.
Amosun described Biobaku as a foremost Islamic cleric and scholar 'who not only imbibed the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed but taught others to live in the fear of Allah and obey all His commandments. He was passionate about the need for all Muslims to live in accordance with the dictates of the Holy Qur'an. He was a disciplinarian and a kind man.' He urged the family to take solace in the realization that Biobaku led an exemplary life.
National Secretary-General, National Council of Muslim Youths Organization, Alhaji Kamldeen Akintunde described Biobaku as a great and respected Islamic leader. He described the deceased as a man imbued with high resourcefulness.
'I pray that God would answer my prayers the way He answered Baba Biobaku's own. It haD always been his prayers to die on a Thursday and be buried on a Friday. This haD always been his prayer for a long time and with what is happening today, his prayer has been answered,' one of his close relations told Daily Sun.