Baba Oloye Lives On: A Tribute to Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki
By Prof. Ali Ahmad
(Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly)
As Kwara and Nigeria remember the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, fondly called Baba Oloye, I join millions of grateful hearts in celebrating the enduring legacy of a man whose life remains a timeless lesson in compassion, sacrifice, and leadership.
Baba Saraki was not just a man of his people; he was a man for his people, a bridge between the privileged and the poor, a physician who healed with both medicine and mercy, and a statesman whose politics was powered by empathy, inclusion and faith in humanity.
Baba Saraki was a towering figure, a man of integrity and remarkable accomplishment who earned his wealth through hard work and dedicated it selflessly to the service and upliftment of his community and all who passed through him. His life remains a shining example of purposeful leadership and compassion.
Baba Oloye embodied service in its purest form; using his time, talent, and treasure to elevate the downtrodden and give hope to countless families who found in him a father, a friend, and a lifeline.
Born on May 17, 1933, into the respected family of Alhaji Mutairu Saraki and Alhaja Ayinke Saraki of Agbaji Quarters, Ilorin, young Olusola’s life was defined early by discipline, scholarship, and a deep sense of responsibility.e
Educated in Lagos and London, he rose to distinction as a brilliant medical doctor, but even then, his calling extended beyond the hospital walls. To him, healing society was as noble as healing the body. His stethoscope listened not only to heartbeats but to the cries of the people.
That conviction led him into politics, not for self-enrichment but for service. From the days of the Northern People’s Congress to the Second Republic, Baba Saraki stood tall as a voice of reason, courage, and unity. He believed that power was a trust and that leadership was a covenant with the people.
His hospital saved lives, and his philanthropy restored hope. From the old Creek Hospital in Lagos to the rural communities of Kwara, Oloye’s influence spread like light; guiding, inspiring, and comforting.
When Dr. Saraki returned home after his medical practice in England and Lagos, he could have chosen a life of comfort and quiet prestige. Instead, he chose service. His compassion for the poor birthed countless interventions: scholarships for indigent students, business start-up support for traders, healthcare for the sick, and hope for widows and orphans.
The famous Ile Arugbo became a sanctuary of love and relief, where elders were fed, the needy were clothed, and the hopeless were given a reason to smile again. To the people, Oloye was not just a philanthropist; he was a symbol of divine provision.
He believed that the strength of a society lies in how it treats its weakest members. Thus, he built bridges, schools, mosques, churches, and hospitals not for fame but for faith. He turned politics into a vehicle for human dignity.
Under his political leadership, the Saraki legacy was not a name of power but a banner of service, tolerance, and unity. His politics transcended religion, ethnicity, and generation. In him, Christians, Muslims, the old and the young found a common father, a statesman whose heart had room for all.
Dr. Saraki’s towering influence in Kwara’s political and social development was rooted in one principle: collective progress. He envisioned a state where governance worked for everyone, where opportunity was not a privilege but a right.
From his days in the Senate during the Second Republic to his later years as an elder statesman, Oloye lived by example. He was humble, accessible, and tireless in the pursuit of peace. His Ilorin home was open day and night, a true house of the people.
Many who rose to prominence in Kwara and beyond owe their first opportunity to his generosity. He nurtured leaders, mentored the youth, empowered women, and promoted education and enterprise. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life remains unmatched.
Even in his final years, he preached unity above all. He saw the North and South not as rivals but as siblings bound by destiny. Through the Northern Union (NU), which he founded in 2005, he championed a vision of national harmony, equity, and understanding.
Dr. Olusola Saraki passed on to glory on November 14, 2012, but his spirit continues to breathe through every good deed done in Kwara today. The schools that stand, the roads that connect, and the lives that have been lifted all bear the imprint of his golden touch.
As we mark his thirteen years of departure, we are reminded that true greatness is not measured by titles or wealth but by impact. Baba Oloye built his timeless castle not with bricks but with compassion, and though time may erode walls, it cannot erase the warmth of a generous heart.
I am personally grateful to have learned from the Oloye’s school of leadership, from being a kindergartner to a proud alumnus. His lessons continue to guide my steps, which stands on the foundation selflessness and inclusivity.
Today, we celebrate at once the passing of a man and the permanence of his legacy. Oloye Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki was and remains a teacher of leadership by compassion, a champion of equity and a father to all.
To every indigene of Kwara, and nay the North, his memory is a torch that lights the path of justice, fairness, and unity. To me personally, he was a mentor, a guide, and a father whose unwavering faith in people remains my daily inspiration.
May his legacy continue to inspire generations to come.
May his name forever echo in the hearts of grateful Kwarans and Nigerians.
And may we all, in our various callings, carry forward the spirit of Oloye.
Oloyee! Olooyeee!! Olooooyeeeeeee!!!
Signed:
Prof. Ali Ahmad
Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly