It was a celebration of life as political associates, family and friends of late political icon, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye (JMK), gathered at his Ago-Iwoye residence on Monday, 17th January, 2022, for his one year remembrance prayer.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that Chief Martins-Kuye, the Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye, died on 17th January, 2021, after a brief illness.
In his sermon at the occasion, an Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Mi'kail Shile Rufai, the Grand Mufti of Ogun State, extolled the virtues of Chief Martins-Kuye, saying that he lived a life worthy of emulation and left an indelible mark of service to humanity. He prayed for the repose of his soul.
Sheikh Rufai commended the children of Chief Kuye for holding forth and urged them to preserve and continue to build on the good legacies left behind by their father.
The Cleric enjoined friends and political associates of Chief Kuye to always remember him and the family he left behind in their prayers.
Speaking with Great Achiever Magazine on the death of his father, the eldest son of Chief Martins-Kuye, Engr. Mobolaji Martins-Kuye, said the death of his father has brought a great vacuum that was difficult to fill.
Mobolaji, an aspirant for the Ogun State House of Assembly election in 2023, disclosed that the leadership and headship of the family by his father was greatly missed, adding that the good moments he shared with his father, discussing a wide range of issues including politics, business and national affairs were no longer there.
He said: "We missed his indepth analysis, views and perspectives on a lot of things. Every moment we shared with Baba, we learned a lot of things.
"We still feel sad and carry the heavy weight of his demise. But we are consoled by those good memories and bond that we forged together when he was alive.
"We are also consoled, looking back at the fulfilled life he lived; a life that touched many people in positive ways.
"We are also consoled by the fact that everywhere we go, people always speak of him in high regards and how good he was, which has extremely made us proud of his person.
"I only pray that God will grant him, my late mother and every departed soul within our family eternal rest in paradise", he concluded.
Bolaji thanked all the political associates, family, friends and followers of Chief Martins-Kuye who stood by them after the death of their father.
He also thanked everyone who attended the remembrance prayer for identifying with their family.
Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye was the Founder/Group Chairman, Crown Paper Group until his death.
He was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1992, and elected Senate President Pro-tempo in November, 1993.
Senator Martins-Kuye was appointed Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Finance, and served from 1999 to 2003. He was appointed Pioneer Chairman, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), from 2009 to 2010.
He was again appointed and served as Minister of Commerce and Industry from 2010 to 2011.
Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye was conferred with the National Honour of, Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Chief Martins-Kuye, was the Aare Musulumi of Ogun State among other chieftaincy titles.
In his tribute to Chief Martins-Kuye, the Deputy Minority Whip, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Adesegun Adekoya, who also served as his Personal Assistant when he was Minister of State for Finance, described Aare Martins-Kuye as a community and religious man.
Adekoya said: "JMK was generous to a fault especially in his service and contributions to the community. This was where he earned himself the sobriquet: 'Iyya-Kana’Budu-Wa-Iyya-Kanastaiin. No matter how much people run around, he held that believe and firmly too, that, if God does not permit, there is practically nothing that any human being can do all on his own.
"Everything about him was encapsulated in Leadership and God. In office, JMK would rely on God to get approval and rather than seeking direct help or lobby from man, he would declare 7 days of fasting.
"As a Minister, while many of his colleagues were lobbying to get some federal roads built in their communities, we had approached JMK to also do same. He filed in for the construction of Isara - Ago-Iwoye - Ijebu-Igbo - Orile-Owu - Sekona - Apomu Road. Thereafter he requested that I should join him in 7-day fasting and prayer for the roads to get the necessary attention and approvals.
"We did, and the Minister ended in the hospital after the 7 days of fasting, but we were compensated for our penitence with the final awards and construction of that road which run its course through Ogun and Osun States.
"Sadly, this believe was also taken to be his main weakness in politics where lobbying and forceful take-over is believed to be the norm; and especially in circumstances when aides and associates expect some decisive actions from him. However, I must also admit that JMK was very conscious of this as he often referred to himself as: 'A pe pe ma pe, a pe si ibi aiye pe si' (that is, one who bows too quickly to superior arguments) and rarely gives a fight on his convictions", Adekoya concluded.
Asiwaju Tele Ogunjobi, a great loyalist and follower of Chief Martins-Kuye, described his death as a big blow to him and others who are his ardent followers.
He said Chief Kuye was a symbol of unity and peace who taught his followers about politics without bitterness, adding that he learned a lot from "Baba when he was alive".
Ogunjobi, who is an aspirant for the House of Representatives election in 2023, disclosed that he would forever be grateful to Chief Kuye for the positive roles he played in his life.
Speaking on the life and times of Chief Martins-Kuye, Prof Sir Otunba Olusolape Adefesobi Adebajo, the Oso-Olu of Imososi, Ago-Iwoye and the Head, Mabinu-Ori Royal Dynasty which the late Kuye belonged, said: "Senator Dr. Jubril Martins Kuye, is a man of strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands, a man who the lust of office did not kill, a man who the spoils of office did not buy, a man who possessed opinion and goodwill and a man of immeasurable honour".
Prof. Adebajo prayed for his family, Ago-Iwoye and humanity, adding that he was a benefactor and Exchequer of uncountable beings.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the occasion include; HRH Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Otunba N.A Oduntan, Obaruwa of Isamuro, Ago-Iwoye, Rt. Hon. Adesegun Adekoya, Asiwaju Tele Ogunjobi, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Chief Doyin Okupe, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Engr Bayo Dayo.
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