19 years after Gen. Adisa’s death, nephews unfold facts about daughter, Toyin

Family members of the late Gen. AbdulKareem Adisa, at the weekend, recalled the life of their uncle, and his daughter, Toyin, saying although they were traumatised by the sudden demise of the former military governor of Oyo State, they were moving on with life.

Adisa, who died 19 years ago, at the age of 56, was among others, a Minister of Works and Housing during the ad-
ministration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Those who spoke with journalists include the late Adisa’s nephews, Nafiu Nuhu and Tunde Ibrahim Sarata Noah. Nuhu and Noah whose mother is General Adisa’s elder sister, said they felt the sudden death of their maternal uncle, noting that he made a visible impact in Nigeria’s military and government, asking for prayers and the family’s continuous
uplift.

The Guardian learnt that Toyin’s mother, Khadijat, in 2010, took her to Ghana to live apparently, to acquire a good education and a career in the nursing profession.

Noah, who is the Kwara State Secretary of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSH-TON), also revealed the identity of Toyin, who was just four years and nine months old when his father died in a fatal road crash.

He said: “Toyin was born at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Kwara State on June 1, 2000. Her naming
ceremony was conducted by Gen. Adisa’s father, Baba Aluko, along with my mother nwho is General Adisa’s elder
sister.”

He continued: “Baba Aluko named Toyin Belawu Akanke at Oke Aluko on Taiwo Road, Ilorin. I knew Toyin’s mother, Khadijat, through General Adisa. Since February 25, 2005, when General Adisa died, our family relationship
with Toyin’s mother and Toyin has been cordial.”

Also, speaking, Noah’s brother, Nafiu said: “Toyin and her mother have been a source of happiness in our family. It was Gen. Adisa’s father who named Toyin’s mother Khadijat when General Adisa married her. I was present at the ceremony. Ever since, Khadijat has been loyal to the family. No betrayal, no squabbles. She is a kind and peace-loving person.

“My cousin, Toyin, is a brilliant girl and she is so humble, sober and respectful.”

Adisa, born on August 22, 1948, was arrested in December 1997 along with former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, Major-General Tajudeen Olarenwaju and others over an alleged coup to overthrow the military administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Adisa, who was a military governor of Oyo State from August 1990 to January 1992 under the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime; and Minister of Works and Housing under the Abacha administration, was sentenced to death with other alleged
coup plotters by then Gen. Victor Malu military tribunal.

Luckily, on June 8, 1998, the day Abacha was to attend the African Union meeting of Heads of State, Abacha who
had overthrown the Interim National Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan in November 1993, died mysteriously.

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar who succeeded Abacha, granted Adisa and others convicted a state pardon and released them from detention.

One year and two days after General Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated president, on June 1, 2000, Adisa’s wife,
Khadijat Adisa, gave birth to Toyin at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, in Kwara State.

Unfortunately, on February 25, 2005, Toyin’s father died in a car crash when she was just four years, nine months, and one week old