Tribute to Late Tafida: The Sky is Dark and the Moon is Red - Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal

Tribute to Late Tafida: The Sky is Dark and the Moon is Red - Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal

A period of mourning it is for me, a giant tree has fallen, the earth is shaken, all I'm left with is deep thoughts about the fate of the birds (myself inclusive), who have made the tree their homes, will they find another home or will they remain homeless? Will they just fly away or they will look back and keep the company of the tree with prayers?

I'm not sure if I can describe the Late Tafida in words, but he was a man full of hope, he was always glowing even in old age, he talked about the journey to forever frequently - death, he wasn't afraid of it, as he was well prepared for the unknown day. The treasured moments of happiness I spent with him gave me personal strength of resilience, true feelings of tender love, and hope to help navigate hard times.

I was shocked when the news of the demise of Dr. Amuda Aluko came to my hearing, I haven't just lost a fatherly figure, I've lost a "FATHER", since the death of my late Dad, Rear Admiral Mohammed Alabi Lawal, late Aluko has always been there a torchbearer, taking away the darkness in my thoughts and hard moments, for the past thirteen (13) years.

I looked outside just now and I discovered that "The Sky is Dark and the Moon is Red", there's uncertainty in the air, a stabilizing figure is gone, a period of mourning it truly is! Looking back and reminiscing on the times I spent with him, his wise counsels and wise sayings, his words of encouragement and the way he edges me on, I know an irreplaceable part of me is gone.

Doctor didn't just marry my aunt, he played a role very few people could play in my overall growth as a man, he may have transcended to the world above to rest, but he remains forever alive in my hearts of heart. It really is a sad moment for me and my family, but in times like this, we just have to be strong for one another, for the journey ahead is definitely a long one, God willing.

I take solace that Doctor died in a month of providence - Ramadan, it gives me more relief that he died in the third and final lap of the Holy month - a moment of forgivenes, and on a Friday for that matter, I'm rest assured that he died as a Shaheed, may Allah be pleased with his soul and grant us all the ability to weather through these tough times.

I condone with his immediate family, the Emir of Ilorin, the Kwara state government, indigenes of Ilorin, and all Kwarans on this huge loss, I pray Allah (S. W. T) gives us all divine strength to overcome this.

Rest in peace Dad, Allaahum-maghfir lahu Allaahumma thabbithu (Amin thuma Amin)

Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal