The 2018 Haj exposed this writer to a unique and dynamic member of the Lagos State Pilgrims Board. He is Dr. Araromi Yussuf from Epe. He is one of the fantastic board members, who made this year’s haj a global record and stress free exercise for Lagosians. Dr. Yusuf – young, brilliant and amiable, represents Epe in the Pilgrims Board.
This reporter had never met Dr. Yusuf in person prior to their meeting in Makkah, but the latter had heard about the Publisher of times. While we were in Makkah, both of us were in the same hotel and he became friendly with me. Oblivious of the fact that I was watching him closely from a distance, I soon found out that he is a good natured and kind hearted young man, who is very humble and devoted to service. He works at the University College, Ibadan and is well versed in Islamic Studies. He is also a strong Islamic cleric, who knows the Quran in-depth.
What stood him out during the Haj exercise among his colleagues in the board and in the mission task is his love for old people and his readiness to help them. I watched one night as an elderly pilgrim could not go to buy food for himself. Dr. Yusuf noticed the man’s predicament and offered himself to help. He took the man’s plates, went out and bought the food with his own money and brought it back to the appreciative old pilgrim. He did not ask for a refund of the money. Another day, this reporter watched two female pilgrims trying to guide an elderly woman to a clinic but they were having difficulty in doing this. Dr. Araromi Yussuf quickly volunteered to help and took the elderly pilgrim to the clinic by himself. These two incidents were a clear demonstration of good leadership and service delivery as well as a show of humility an and godliness.
I also noticed him often trying to chat up some pilgrims, who were apparently having challenges. Though many of such pilgrims were women, which prompted some to think that he was doing so to curry favor from or to indirectly woo them but here is a man, who came for the haj with his wife and who was also in most cases in the company of his wife. We learnt from the sidelines that Governor Ambode gave Dr. Yusuf a specific task to ensure that the haj was a success through quality service to the pilgrims. No wonder it is said that Dr. Yusuf is ready to die for Ambode. He subtly and powerfully delivers the message of a second term for Ambode to his admirers and friends in Makkah.
By the time I saw the sterling qualities in this handsome, pleasant and highly respectful Muslim, we became so close that it was as if we had known each other for a very long time. I found him a diehard supporter of Ambode, willing and ready to go extra mile on his behalf. He had told some people that God spoke to him in his dream that Ambode would come back for a second term and he is spreading that gospel to his close associates. We wish Dr. Yusuf all the best in his endeavours.
