IBADAN WITNESSES AN OUTPOURING OF GRIEF AND TRIBUTE AS INSTANTnews PUBLISHER, FELIX, LAYS FATHER TO REST
● Oyo political heavyweights and community leaders converge on Thursday 16th of July, 2026, in Ibadan for the final burial and 8-day Fidau prayers of Pa Tijani Fatai Olalekan Alade.
● Family, clerics recount the late progressive stalwart’s legacy of selflessness, infrastructure development, and political mentorship.
The ancient city of Ibadan recently stood still as family members, political leaders, associates, and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects to Pa Tijani Fatai Olalekan Alade of Ajisunhan family, a renowned progressive politician and elder statesman. The solemn grand final burial rites and the subsequent 8-day Fidau prayer were held at the late patriarch’s residence in Ifewumi-gbaremu area of Ibadan. The deceased is the father of Peter Oluwadamilare Felix, the popular Ibadan-based journalist, news publisher of INSTANTnews.
Pa Tijani Fatai OLALEKAN ALADE, fondly called as Baba Alhaja, lived a life defined by unalloyed dedication to progressive politics and grassroots development. During his active political career in Oyo State, he served meritoriously in several high-profile capacities, including as a supervisory councillor, a council board member, and an esteemed member of the elder state advisory council. Known for his principled stance and strategic methodologies, he remained a steadfast progressive supporter until his final days.
The atmosphere at the 8-day Fidau prayer was a poignant mix of grief and celebration of a life well-spent. Officiating the Islamic prayers, the Chief Imam of Alawaju Central Mosque, Ifewumi, delivered a deeply moving sermon highlighting the monumental impact of the deceased on the immediate community and beyond. According to the cleric, Pa Fatai’s footprints are permanently etched into the history of Ifewumi gbaremu and its environment, noting that his magnetic personality and proactive leadership could never be forgotten.
“Baba Alhaja was a colossus in this community. When you look around Ifewumi today, many of the tangible developments—including the very electricity transformer currently serving this neighborhood—came into reality through his relentless advocacy and personal sacrifices. He lived for his people,” the Chief Imam declared.
Echoing similar sentiments, the publisher of INSTANTnews, Felix, expressed profound sorrow over the demise of his father, while painting a vivid picture of a man who was both a strict disciplinarian and a compassionate community advocate.
“My dad was a great politician whose political methodologies i deeply respected and learned from. He loved seeing his community flourish and was fiercely protective of his children’s welfare. He was a tough, no-nonsense man, yet exceptionally brilliant and accomplished. If given the chance, i would proudly choose to be his son in another world,” Felix, INSTANTnews publisher stated during an interview.
The eldest son, Honourable Fatai Nurudeen Babatunde, also paid glowing tributes to the patriarch, emphasizing the values of hard work and intellectual rigour instilled in the family by their late father.
“He was a smart and intelligent father. You simply could not have a father like him and not turn out to be brilliant and hardworking. Beyond his professional and political achievements, he was a man whose greatest joy was seeing others wear a smile,” Hon. Nurudeen noted.
The burial ceremony underscored the immense political capital and societal goodwill commanded by the late Pa Tijani Fatai. The event drew an array of political elites, party stalwarts, and community leaders—particularly from the Ona-Ara Local Government Area and across Oyo State—who came out in droves to support the grieving family. Among the prominent dignitaries who graced the occasion were Hon. Sina Adeagbo – Former Chairman, Ona-Ara Local Government, Hon. Billiaminu Ogundele – Former Chairman, Ona-Ara Local Government, Hon. Bola Fawole – Former Oyo State Assembly member and Caretaker chairman, Ona-Ara Local Government, Hon. Saheed (Popularly known as Solutions) – Former Chairman, Inukan LCDA, Alhaji Ogundipe – All Progressives Congress (APC) Ona-Ara Party Chairman, alongside numerous other political actors, business leaders, and youth groups.
The massive turnout served as a confirmation to the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his entire existence to the upliftment of humanity, political emancipation, and communal harmony.
As the prayers came to a close, the Ajisunhan family expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who traveled from far and near to share in their moment of grief, offering prayers for journey mercies as guests returned to their various destinations.
