..he never assaulted my mother, always advised us to return home early- daughter

..as Aiyedatiwa urges children to sustain father’s legacy

The Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, has described his late father, Alhaji Takuro Idris Ojatunde, as a loving, caring and straightforward man who treated all his children equally, irrespective of their financial or social status.

Takuro said his father, who died recently, was a man of integrity who detested dishonesty and upheld truthfulness throughout his lifetime.

The commissioner spoke on Thursday during the eighth-day Fidau prayer held in honour of his late father at Ayesan community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Describing his father as a wonderful parent, Takuro said the deceased demonstrated equal love and concern for all his children without discrimination, adding that his death had left the family with a shock that would take a long time to overcome.

“My father is a pleasant father and a lovely father. He is a father that really cared for and loved all his children equally without any sentiment or discrimination. Whether you are rich or poor, he cared for everyone,” he said.

He explained that his father was a man who did not harbour resentment, noting that even when offended, he would express his displeasure but quickly let go of his anger.

According to him, the late patriarch was also dependable and straightforward, with an uncompromising attitude towards dishonesty.

“One thing that he detested so much was lies. If you lied, he wouldn’t take it easy with you. No matter how bad the situation was, just tell him, ‘Daddy, I have done this,’ and he would say, ‘Okay, you shouldn’t have done that. What is the way out?’

“But once you lied, he wouldn’t take it easy with you. That is the kind of father we have just lost,” Takuro said.

The commissioner also highlighted his father’s deep attachment to Ayesan community, describing him as a passionate community man who was committed to its growth and development.

He said the deceased’s love for his community was evident in his dedication to its progress, adding that he was willing to make personal sacrifices for its betterment.

“Everything about him was Ayesan, Ayesan. He loved this community so passionately that he could sacrifice his life for its betterment,” he said.

Takuro, who noted that he had enjoyed his father’s guidance and values for over five decades, said the family would continue to miss him.

He, however, identified truthfulness as the greatest legacy left behind by the deceased, pledging that the children would sustain the value.

“Major legacy that he left behind is that of truth always. No matter whosoever is concerned, my father will tell you the bitter truth, and we, as children, love to sustain that legacy that he left behind,” he said.

In his remarks, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, described the late Alhaji Idris Ojatunde Takuro,  as a man who lived a fulfilled life, saying the worthy children he left behind were a testament to his good legacy.

Aiyedatiwa said although death was inevitable, its timing remained unknown, adding that rather than mourn the deceased, his life and accomplishments should be celebrated.

“We are not mourning today; we are celebrating his passing. Someone who gave birth to a son like Amidu Takuro is worth celebrating,” he said.

He described Amidu Takuro as the Prince of all monarchs in the state, noting that his late father had sown a good seed whose fruits were evident in the life and accomplishments of his children.

The Governor said the responsibility of providing leadership for the family had now fallen on the Commissioner, urging him to sustain his father’s legacy and raise children that would uphold the family’s values.

He prayed for long life, good health and fulfilment for the living, while asking God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

“He has come, he has lived, he has conquered and has gone to the great beyond,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa also expressed the hope that the Commissioner would live longer than his father and be blessed with children who would give him a befitting burial when his time came.


In his admonition, the Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Sheikh Sherajudeen Batuta, urged the people to remain conscious of the inevitability of death and allow the knowledge to guide their daily conduct.

Batuta commended Amidu Takuro for his humility and cordial relationship with local government authorities and traditional institutions, saying the impressive turnout at the Fidau prayer was a reflection of the relationships he had built over the years.

While acknowledging the pain associated with losing a loved one, the cleric urged the Commissioner not to despair, noting that his father had lived a life of service to God.

He advised Takuro to make the Quran his guide as he assumed the responsibilities and leadership obligations left behind by his father.

The deceased’s daughter, Idowu Takuro, also described her father as a loving and exemplary husband, saying he never fought her mother throughout their marriage.

She said she regarded him as a model of a good husband because he was committed to his family, never spent the night outside his home and always encouraged his children to return home early whenever they went out.

“He has never fought my mother. I used him as a good example of a married man because in a day, he never slept outside, and he always told us that wherever we were going, we should come back home on time.

“Now that he has died, there is nobody to advise us again. I just pray that he rests in peace. Everybody will miss him a lot,” she said.

In his vote of thanks, the Commissioner expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa for his fatherly support, praying that God would continue to strengthen and uphold him.

He also thanked traditional rulers, members of the State Executive Council, the Local government Chairman, other dignitaries and guests who attended the prayer in honour of his late father.

Some of those present included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Segun Omojuwa; Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi; Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola; and ALGON Chairman, Gbenga Fasua, who led other local government chairmen.

Also in attendance were APC chieftains, including Rt Hon. Victor Olabimtan.Dr Isaacs Kekemeke, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, Hon.  Ogundeji Iroju, Hon Mayowa Akinfolarin and Dr Jide Adewinle.

Traditional rulers and Religious leaders at the event included the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, and the Owa of Igbara-Oke, Oba Adefaratimi Agbede,  the Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji  Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede, among others.

Alhaji Idris Ojatunde Takuro is survived by 12 children.