13/07/2024
Lessons from the death and burial of Hon. Musiliudeen Akinremi aka Jagaban
By Taoreed Abdullahi
The death of a two-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Musiliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban was announced by the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Mr. Akin Rotimi, in a statement, quoting the Speaker of the House, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas as expressing sadness over the death.
The news remains doubtful to many of his constituents wondering how could an energetic and young lawmaker die at the age of 51. But the fact emerged and it became a reality when ambulances brought his co**se to his house for internment.
The majority of people have forgotten that everything will come to an end. There's a time to birth and there's a time to depart this world without going with anything. This is something that people tend not to want to hear or listen to. This is because of enjoyment, and fulfillment. We have forgotten that the life is empty.
Are you a rich man? you're living in a multi-million dollar mansion, are you the owner of an estate? this is just worldly affairs, how many lives have you impacted? or do you make other people cry? Do you corner funds meant for two thousand people to yourself?. Do you remember that every soul shall taste death? It is in the Holy Quran, (Quran, 3v185) which states that “Every self will taste death. You will be paid your wages in full on the day of accountability. Anyone who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to the Garden has triumphed. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of delusion.”
This is the crux of the discussion. In 2023 when politicians were canvassing votes from the electorate, Hon. Musiludeen Akinremi might have not been taught that he would eventually die on 10th July 2024 and be buried on 11th July 2024, a year after he was inaugurated for another term in office. This is alluded to in the Holy Quran, (Quran 31v 34 which says “Indeed, Allah, alone, has knowledged of the hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” We are struggling today, trying to achieve goals, do we remember that we may meet death? What do you do today that God may be pleased with you? Let's think about it.
Dear brothers and sisters, political office holders, Your Excellencies, the Presidents of the nations, Commanders In Chief of Armed Forces, Your Excellencies, Executive Governors, Distinguished Senators, House of Representatives Members, Ministers, State Assembly Members, Local Government Chairmen, Councilors, Supervisors, Secretaries, Hon. Commissioner, Head of Services, Accountant General, Chief Judges, Magistrates, civil servants, Chief Executive Members, artisans, traders, market men and women, teachers, lecturers, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General, Commissioner of Police, what would people say after your death? Are you a good man? Do you help others to grow? What will people say about you? Would people say that's good man, that's nice man, that's bad man?
Nigerians are going through hardship, still, you're enjoying yourself in the mansion while people are sleeping on the street, and others are begging to find a place to put their heads. I can see that you're eating your favorite foods while millions of people are going to bed in hunger. You have capacities to employ people but you hold on to that job while millions of young graduates are roaming the streets, what can you do to ease the hardship. This is the time to give back to society and spend millions of dollars in your vault and bank accounts before death meets you untimely. Hon. Akinremi's money is not useful for him again. He can't debate on the National Minimum wage bill to be sent by the President, his seat remains vacant. What will remain for him are his good work, acts of worship, and charity.
I watched the burial rites of Hon. Musiliudeen Akinremi, and I saw the pains of the less privileged he has impacted or supported. They cried that their helper had gone to meet his Lord. It was written in the faces of every sympathizer that this world is but temporal. Death is the only thing certain. They looked up to God for support, and they bid him farewell pains. Since none can escape death. What remains for people to do is to ensure that they're truly living lives worthy of worshipping and loving Allah. Be good to others. Lend a hand of help to the less privileged. So that people can testify to God that you really do well while alive because the voice of the people is the voice of God. Hon. Akintemi has come, he has seen and he has conquered.
Distinguished readers, it is time to be good to others because God will never delay a soul when its time has come, including me. (Quran, 63:10-11) narrates that “And spend (in the way of Allah ) from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous’. But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” This reminds us time and time again to never take this life for granted and to never overestimate how long we have been on this earth. We must continuously strive towards becoming better humans, lest we regret it when it is too late. Why can't we spend whatever we have to uplift others? Your little amount of money, your knowledge, and that charity can better the lives of others. Today everyone is crying about hardship due to the situation in the country, use those funds and money in your account to put smiles on the faces of people, tomorrow may be too late, but the time is now. Kindly rededicate yourself to the people. Are you a trader who increases price arbitrarily, or do you store it so that you can sell it at a higher price, remember Hon. Jagaban's death, he has gone but he can't eat rice or beans again but what remains for him is good deed he has done.
