I woke up yesterday to learn of the demise of a prominent medical doctor and retired top technocrat, Dr AbdulRasheed Adebisi Alanamu, a member of the illustrious Balogun Alanamu family of Ilorin. The news of his death was a rude shock to me and many other compatriots.

I must confess that I didn't know him prior to his appointment as a Permanent Secretary of the Kwara State Ministry of Health by a former Governor of Kwara State, late Admiral Muhammad Lawal, mni. He was one of the apolitical public officers of Ilorin Emirate origin that the former Governor meritoriously rewarded with career progression.

I eventually met Dr Alanamu in the course of my duties as a staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria. That was when the occupants of his house on Oko-Erin Road had issues with electricity supply and it was referred to me as the District Investigation Officer in charge of Baboko Business Unit. I swiftly took up the responsibility because of the psychological proximity the name of the house owner ignited in me as I also felt that it would be an opportunity for me to meet him and see how he looked.

The last time I saw him was at the public presentation of my book, "Ilorin Emirate's Frontliners'' on Saturday, July 1, 2023. He was at the event and I greeted him.

Prior to the book presentation, I had visited one of his contemporaries and Jarma of Ilorin, Alhaji Aliyu Kola Belgore, OFR, mni, concerning the event. After appreciating my efforts, the Jarma enquired about the criteria I used in selecting those who made the list.

Upon my explanations, the seasoned financial technocrat and elder statesman asked me to mention some of those featured in the book. He obviously expected some names, which were not mentioned.

Alhaji Belgore specifically asked whether the late Dr Alanamu and a few others I wouldn't mention their names here made the list. My response that he didn't was not pleasant to him. All I could say was that I couldn't cover all those who should be covered because of certain factors that were evidently beyond my manipulation.

The former Chairman of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, thereafter, encouraged me to begin to work on the Volume II of the work as soon as possible. This, he explained, would enable me to cover some of those left out of the Volume I and other.deservinig gentlemen and ladies that may emerge in the course of time.

It was, therefore, a big but positive surprise to me when I saw Dr Alanamu at the book launch. He must have been goaded to attend the event by nothing but pure patriotism just like many others who attended.

Dr Alanamu, a gentleman and accomplished professional, was a member of the second generation of medical doctors produced by Ilorin Emirate. He worked as a medical doctor with the Kwara State Government for many years serving in various hospitals where he diligently attended to the health of the ordinary men and women. He later became the Officer In-Charge of the Kwara State Specialist Hospital, Sobi, Ilorin. He rose through the ranks to become the Director, Medical Services, Kwara State, before his eventual appointment as a Permanent Secretary and subsequent retirement from service.

I sympathise with the Balogun Alanamu family of Ilorin. I also commiserate with his immediate family and friends as well as associates.

May Allah rest his soul in Aljanat Fridaouz and grant his family members the fortitude to bear his death.

Imam is National Secretary, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.