It was all high emotion, testimony and celebration of a life well spent, at the 8th day Fidau Prayer of the Late Alhaji, Hon. (Barrister) Titilola Ademola Dauda (A.K.A Jawara), former Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, at his Akingbile residence, Ibadan, where family members, political associates, professional colleagues and well wishers, gathered to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased and eulogized the late lawyer cum legislator.
The Fidau prayer anchored by Imam Ahmad Murtadha, the Chief Imam of Oluana Community in Akingbile, Ibadan, alongside Ustaz Abdulwahab Ariwoola Onitafsir, Ustaz Abdullateef Oloriodo and other Islamic clerics from Iseyin and Igboho, was used as an avenue to remind people that essence in life is to serve God and do good at all times.
Hon. Titilola who passed on at the age of 56 was described by many as a man who lived his life for service to humanity and creating impacts wherever he touched.
The former Secretary to the State Government, Akogun Sharafadeen Alli described him as a very diligent man who brought professionalism into politics and a man who exhibited high integrity and dedication.
Also in attendance were Rt. Hon. Moruf Atilola and Rt. Hon. Adeolu Adeleke, both former Speakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
They eulogized the deceased as a great man, a philosopher in his class and an intellectual of note and a hard working legal officer with a deep understanding of the legislative tradition.
Other dignitaries who attended the 8th day Fidau were, the representatives of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Dele Adigun, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, former members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, especially the 5th Assembly, Hon. Adeleke Jelil, Hon. Tijani Sulyman, Hon. Tunde Adegbenjo, Hon. Hassan Ogundoke, Hon. (Dr.) Mathew Oyedokun, Hon. Micheal Okunlade, Hon. Adesope Ishau Azeez, Hon. Waheed Olaniyan, Chief Oketola, Elder Alabi Damilola, Rev’d R.O Oyedepo, members of MFM, representatives of the Hausa Community.
Others are Hon. Akeem Raheem, Chairman Oorelope Local Government, Alhaji Azeez Adeoti, PDP Chairman, Oorelope Local Government, Hon. Moses Alao, Hon. Muhammed Olaide, Alhaji Saliu Ajibade, Engr. Lateef Lawal, Mr. Dosun Balogun, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, political leaders from Oorelope, Irepo, Olorunsogo, and various Local Governments and others too numerous to mention.
About the Late Lawmaker
The late Barrister Titilola Ademola Dauda was born on 10th October, 1965, to the family of late Pa. Salami Titilola and late Alhaja Saratu Titilola, of the Titilola-Sodo House, Modeke, Igboho, Oyo State, South-West Nigeria. He attended Ansarudeen (AUD) Primary School, Modeke, Igboho and graduated in 1978.
He attended the Baptist Modern School, Oke-Afin, Igboho before proceeding to Irepo Grammar school, Igboho and graduated in 1983.
He Had his A-Level Study at Obokun, at the present-day Osun State, he then gained admission into the Ogun State University (OSU) Ago-Iwoye, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, to study Law and he graduated and bagged his LLB degree in 1992.
He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and passed his BL examinations with flying colours and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993.
He started his career as a practicing lawyer in Gombe where he had his one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year in 1993/94. He had a successful legal practice in Gombe, Bauchi, Yola, Jos, Maiduguri, Sokoto as well as Kaduna and Abuja.
He traversed the entire Northern Nigeria where he left a big impact in the noble profession. He established the first digital Law Chambers in the entire Northeast and had records of successfully administered litigations up to the supreme court.
In 2003, he was invited by his community, Igboho, to represent it at the Oyo State House of Assembly. He contested and won with landslide in the most popular and peaceful election in the history of the Local Government.
Hon. Titilola Dauda played a vital role in the political debacle that led to the impeachment of the then Governor, His Excellency, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and the legal battle that followed, where he was a key member of the legal team that pursued the litigation up to the supreme court and the Governor was reinstalled by the highest court in the land. He later rose to become the Deputy Speaker of the 5th Assembly.
At the legislature, he was a great advocate of good governance, respect for rule of law, human dignity, equity and all that promotes participatory democracy. He was a good party man, a loyal team player and a big source of inspiration to many in his generation and the youths of his constituency.
He attended many courses, seminars and international conferences on civil rights, constitutional law, alternative dispute resolution and women rights advocacy. He laid an indelible mark in the area of elections petitions where he recorded many successes.
He was a great students unionist. He was elected the National President, Federation of Igboho Students’ Union (FISU) in 1991/92 and also, President, Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU) He served in various sensitive committees and as Legal Adviser to various organizations, communities, corporate entities, royal families, and elections litigants.
Hon. Jawara was a peace maker. He was known for always reconciling differences and pursuing liberty for the condemned and seeking justice for the oppressed.
He was a good family man who strived massively for the growth and the development of all. He was a successful family man, a caring husband and a lovely father. He is survived by his amiable wife, Mrs. Kudirat Olasunsi Titilola, children, and siblings.
May his gentle soul rest in peace. Amen..
