Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi has described the late Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao as a selfless and an irreplaceable philanthropist who did not cease to put smiles on people's faces during his lifetime.

The governor said this at the one-year remembrance and Fidau prayer of the patriarch who was a business mogul and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Aare of Ibadanland and Deputy President-General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

“If I help you today and tomorrow, you come for assistance, the look on my face won’t even allow you to express yourself but for Aare, it was a different case,” the governor said.  

Tributes attributed to the late icon, who died at the age of 69, revealed his humility, loyalty and philanthropic nature.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111,  Alaafin of Oyo, recounted that he was a bridge builder, promoter of justice, equity and wellbeing of the downtrodden.

Present at the event was Oba Otudeko, the late Aare's bosom friend and business partner. He regarded Aare as a unique individual who impacted on many lives.

"There would never be another Aare Arisekola-Alao," he said.

 According to the President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa'Ad Abubakar, "Aare was an era whose death marks the end of an era."

In his tribute, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, former Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, said Aare was a detribalised Nigerian who used his stupendous wealth for mankind.

According to Aare's son, Alhaji Umar Farouk Arisekola-Alao, who is a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, said, "Arisekola had been a millionaire in his 20's and he died a billionaire without knowing what it meant to be poor, but he lived for his people.

"I missed his presence, his goodwill, his character and his person as a whole. It is hard when you lose someone that is beloved to you, he was beloved and his death is a sign upon man that with everything you accomplish in this world, you will leave it in this world as death is inevitable.

"We still have people who come around and expect us to be like our father, but there's a big difference between Arisekola and his children and no matter how hard we try, we cannot replicate the man himself and we pray we will be able to sustain the name he is known for.”

While speaking on ways to immortalise Aare Farouk said intentions had been made to build a school in Aare's name.

"Our impeccable governor Ajimobi named the challenge interchange after him, we are releasing a book published on his behave and many other things will be revealed as time passes by."

Oloye 'Lekan Alabi, Aare Alaasa Olubadan of Ibadanland, urged Nigerians to emulate Aare's virtue, love and charity to make the world a better place.

Other dignitaries at the event included Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rahuf Aregbesola; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Samuel Odulana; former Minister for Sport, Prof. Tahoeed Adedoja; Senator Soji Akanbi, representing Oyo South district, among others.