Arisekola Alao dies at 69

Late Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao

Prominent businessman and Islamic leader, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, died on Wednesday at the age of 69.

The eldest daughter of the deceased, Khadija, confirmed the death of Alao, who is the Deputy President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

A family source told our correspondent that the religious leader died in his London home yesterday where he had been since last week Thursday. He died on the day he was expected back in Nigeria.

The source said the Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria did not show any sign of ill health, although he was said to have embarked on the journey on medical grounds.

Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao is a notable Nigerian businessman and contractor who was the publisher of the now defunct Monitor Newspaper. He is considered a wealthy businessman who is known for his causes in support of Islam in Ibadan and his close ties to many of the city's traditional and religious elites and to various other Yoruba Muslim leaders. He bears the title of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

Arisekola saw his fortunes rise during the regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha while his style is sometimes criticized as favoring any regime that can butter his nest. He was both a friend of MKO Abiola and Sani Abacha but was actively involved in supporting the latter to elongate his tenure through a transition from military to democratic leadership.