Kunle ADELABU
-Residents pay tributes
Late Ahaji Sheriff Adisa Anipole, former chairman, Ikorodu Local government
The Ikorodu Local Government has lost her immediate past chairman, Alhaji Sherif Adisa Anipole.
He died at his residence, 26,Kokoro-Abu Street, Ikorodu, around 7am on Saturday, February 23, and was buried in the evening of the same day according to the Islamic rites.
A close ally of the deceased told THE IMPACT that the former chairman died after a protracted illness.
He was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC) in Ikorodu.
Late Anipole was the Chairman of Ikorodu local government between 2011 and 2014
The leadership of the Council was handed over to him when Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani and Otunba Saheed Ibikunle, the two frontline politicians who jostled to occupy the coveted position under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), failed to step down for one another after engaging in a protracted political war that threatened the unity of the party.
Anipole was said to have been picked by the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to settle the score between the two combatants and their followers.
His tenure as the council chairman witnessed many controversies between the executive and legislative arms led by Hon. Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo and among the executive members.
It was also during his administration that the colonial buildings at Ita-Elewa which formerly housed Ikorodu local government was demolished. The incident further worsened his relationship with the legislators.
The redevelopment of the demolished property and Sabo market also created another round of controversies that lasted till the end of his tenure.
The ex-council boss was also attacked during the fuel strike/protest in 2011 at the Ikorodu garage roundabout when he mounted the stage to address the aggrieved crowd.
Part of the achievements of his administration include the construction of many culverts across the council through the local government lawmakers as constituency projects.
The administration also barricaded the Itunmoja canal to prevent the dumping of refuse into it.
He also provided patrol van, security gadgets among others to the local vigilance group, Onyabo.
Meanwhile, Hon. Azeez Olosugbo, the former Council Leader during theChairmanship tenure of the deceased, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the former chairman of the council.
Olosugbo, in his condolence message to THE IMPACT, said that the death of the former chairman was a loss to Ikorodu and APC.
He urged the family of the deceased to accept his death as the will of Allah while he also prayed for the repose of his soul.
There have also been tributes by the residents of Ikorodu local government on social media platforms for the deceased.
Cardinal James Odumbaku, APC Chieftain , commenting on Anipole’s death on his facebook wall described the death as a loss.
“Wow! ! what a loss but we submit to the will of God “.
Ade Kuye, while also commenting, stated that the death of the former chairman is a loss to Ikorodu and Lagos State.
“What a loss to the state and Ikorodu division. Such an exemplary and distinguished administrator. He excelled as a local government chairman and exhibited courage and demonstrated his loyalty to the people and government of Lagos State. May his soul rest in perfect peace”.
A young social media commentator, Abdul-Rahaman Akasa, also stated that his death was sad.
“So sad, may his soul rest in peace”.
Hameed Olaniyi Ganiu, a chieftain of the Ikorodu Ambassadors Group, stated that:
“May his Soul rest in perfect peace”.
In his own reaction, Prince Abamadeju said that the memory of the former council chairman would remained unforgettable.
“Good man, we will not forget you because your name is already written on the sand of time. RIP BABA ANIPOLE”.
Former Personal Assistant to the late chairman and the current Supervisory Councilor in-charge of Works in Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Yusuf Gbadebo Lawal, while announcing the death of his former boss on his facebook wall, stated that :
“He came; he saw; he fought; he conquered. No man will live forever. Alhaji Sherif Adisa Anipole, the immediate past Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government. Good night sir”.
Hon Osinowo Olasunkanmi, former Supervisory Councilor, Internal General Revenue during late Anipole’s tenure also commenting on the death of the former chairman’s death stated
“I Commiserate with the Entire family of Pa Sherif Adisa Anipole on the passing on of their beloved father and grandfather. May his kind and gentle soul rest with the Lord
