On Sunday 24th March 2019 all roads led to Ikirun in Osun State where the 8th day Fidau of Alhaji Abdul-Kareem was held. He was born on the l8th of April 1935 to the family of late Mr Afunso-Lawal and Late Chief Mrs Awawu Afunso-Lawal (the then Moyeloye of Ikirun Land).
According to Yoruba beliefs, baba was said to be born several times before he finally stayed (Abiku), hence the nickname Ayelaagbe. Saba’s father was a famous native doctor and a farmer while his mother was a food vendor. Saba’s father converted to Islam few years before baba’s birth which prompted him to take baba to an Islamic cleric – Alhaji Raji Gboye, popularly known as Alhaji Gboye when baba was still a child to study Islamic/Quranic Education. Saba spent 13 years with Alh Gboye before he graduated (Walimotul- Quran).
After his graduation, Saba joined his father to assist him with his farming business at Abule Soso near Ikoro Ekiti in Ekiti State. He was with his father till his father’s death on 8th October 1958. Before baba’s Cather died, baba’s father had already betrothed a wife for baba to marry in 1958. In 1961, Baba got married to the wife his father secured for him – Alhaja Sintu Abebi Afunso-Lawal, of blessed memory. After his marriage, baba settled down with his wife at Abule Soso, Ekiti State practising farming. During this period, things were so hard that baba had to engage in labour jobs from one settlement to another. As a result of this hardship, baba started personal Tajuud (Prayer) as an Alfa/cleric and he received directives from Almighty Allah to leave his father’s settlement and move towards lle-Onji Owena side. In search of greener pasture, baba got to a village called Abule Ori-Oke, very close to Ipetu-Ijesa where he met with Ikirun indigenes, he was well received, given land to farm and later made the Imam of this settlement. After a few years, baba received a message to move from Abule Ori-Oke to Orita Reserve where he met with his uncle Alh Alimi Agbadagbudu who later introduced him to Alh Sunmonu Adedokun Ogbabu who searched for farmland for him.
Due to baba’s wisdom in approaching issues and his versatility in Islamic/Quranic Knowledge, the villagers discovered that he had what it takes to lead the Muslim community being the image of the leader they were searching for. I low. they installed baba as the Imam of the settlement. Subsequently, baba went back to bring his wife and children to settle with him.
Shortly, people started consulting baba for prayers and with the help of Almighty Allah, their problems were solved and prayers got answered. This served as a catalyst forthe popularity of baba far and near. In 1980, the construction of Ibadan/Akure highway began which cut-off the community and made it igaccessibl.e to many of baba’s customers. As a result of this, baba built a house in Owena Ijesa and later moved there. When leaving Orita Reserve, Baba handed overthe mantle ofleadership as the Imam
to Alh. Muritala Oyetola -who is the Uncle of the present Governor of the State of Osun. In no time, baba became more- popular; people came to baba for consultation and prayers within and outside the State. Alhaji Afunso-Lawal is a well known Islamic Cleric, a fanner and a businessman. He performed his first Hajj in 1974 and got married to his second wife; Alhaja Sadatu A toke Afunso Lawa shortly after his arrival. In 1979, baba married his third wife; Mrs Sikirat Adunni Afunso-Lawal and later completed his sunnah by marrying the fourth wife; Late Mrs Mujidat Abake Afunso-Lawal. Alhaji Abdul-Kareem was honoured with numerous religious titles; such as being installed as the Chief Imam Orita Reserve, the Balogun Adeen of Owena Ijesa and the Mufasir of ‘Akanhan’s Mosque, Oke Amola,
maker. Baba was blessed with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and he will be missed as a caring, loving. God fearing, supportive and generous father. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanat Fridaous. Ameen!
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