Alhaji (Chief) Mukaila Adio Onabanjo, popularly known as ‘Mikky Mikky’, is dead. He was aged 80.
Oriwu Sun gathered that the popular socialite, and business tycoon who was born on January 31, 1941, died on Sunday, January 9, 2022, around 8pm and was buried on Monday, January 10, 2022, according to Islamic rites at his residence along Lagos road, lkorodu.
His burial prayer was led by Sheikh Sefiudeen Olowo-Oribi, the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque where he held the title of Saraki Adeen until his death.
During his active years, Alhaji Onabanjo was a popular figure in lkorodu and Lagos social circles and great musicians like King Sunny Ade, late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal among others regularly sang many songs and waxed several records to praise his exploits during that period.
He was a notable and successful business man who recorded huge successes as an importer, textile dealer and developer.
Immediately his death was announced, a crowd of sympathisers which included family members, business associates, eminent personalities and others flooded his Lagos road residence to pay their last respect and also sympathise with his wives and children.
Late Onabanjo was survived by two wives and 23 children.
As a mark of honour for the deceased, the lkorodu Central Mosque organised prayer sessions to seek for the repose of his soul and also offer prayers for the family he left behind.
The prayer sessions, which took place hours after the late business tycoon was buried on January 10 and on the third day of his death (January12), was held at his Lagos Road home, Ikorodu, and recorded large turnouts of the deceased’s children, family members, notable dignitaries and other sympathisers.
The trio of Sheikh Sefiudeen Olowo-Oribi, Alhaji Abdul-Bashir Maja, Imam Itundofin Mosque and Alhaji Muhammad Modiu Olowo ldiamu, speaking separately at the prayer sessions, said that late Onabanjo lived a fulfilled life.
They said that the late Saraki Adeen was a great man and had money, children, great influence and was well connected but today, he’s no more.
According to them, the death of Alhaji Onabanjo is a sermon and lesson for others that no matter who you are or how wealthy, powerful, intelligent and well connected, death will come at the appointed time and that nothing can stop it.
To this end, they charged the people, both rich and poor, to change for good and engage in good deeds and be committed to the worshipping of Allah so as not to regret their existence in life when they die.
The Islamic clerics also urged people to remember God always and let His fear guides all their affairs and also prepare for death which, according to them, would come at anytime.
Meanwhile, in a brief interview with the deceased’s second child, Alhaji (Chief) Lookman Onabanjo (Bugon), he said that the death of his father is a big loss to the family and that he would be greatly missed.
He said that his father, despite not born into a wealthy home, became successful in life through dint of hard work and focus, adding that he worked till his old age because of his love for hard work.
“He started engaging in businesses very early in life and his love for hard work made him to become successful despite not coming from a wealthy home.
He was still engaging in his construction business despite his old age until we (his children) stopped him. That’s to tell you how much he loved to work”.
Lookman, who himself is a title holder of the Giwa Adeen of Ikorodu Central Mosque, described his late father as a great socialite who enjoyed his life to the fullest and never had any regret in life.
He said that his father, despite being strict, was a caring father who related with his children with love and compassion and taught them to be contented with what they have and use such to acquire what they want.
He also explained that their love for their father was what made all his children (except three) in and outside Nigeria to travel back home to attend his burial as last respect.
Lookman added that, “Personally, l will really miss him because he meant everything to me. If not for him, I wouldn’t have become what l am today. I am grateful to God that he attained 80 years before he died, though we wanted him to live up to 100 years and beyond. We will surely miss his words of wisdom and his fatherly care. May Allah forgives his sins and grants him eternal rest”.