By Lukman Olabiyi
Security expert and chairman, Mainforce International Investment, Chief Owolabi Ajayi, has said that the businessman and estate consultant, Teslim Adeola Almaroof, left behind “a legacy that is hard to match, and shoes that are near impossible to fill.”
He described him as an irreplaceable mentor, benefactor and a true father figure. Almaroof, who passed away on July 2, 2020, after a brief illness, was the head of the Arota/Ologun family, Orile Oshodi, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Lagos State.
Ajayi said “his contributions to land advocacy, community development and philanthropy continue to resonate deeply among those he impacted during his lifetime.”
In a statement to mark the fifth anniversary of Almaroof’s passing, Ajayi, the Akinrogun of Akure Kingdom, noted: “It’s five years now, yet the memory of the late Teslim Adeola Almaroof remains fresh. We lost a man of rare vision, selflessness and tenacity.
“His absence has left a vacuum in the hearts of many. He was a towering figure whose generosity and concern for justice stood him out.”
He also took celebrate the widow: “Mrs. Lilian Margaret Almaroof has remained a pillar of grace and dignity. She stood by her husband through thick and thin, and continues to preserve his legacy with courage.”
Ajayi praised Almaroof for his unwavering commitment to justice, particularly in matters of land ownership: “He defended the rights of land-owning families in Lagos and Ogun states. He deployed his vast knowledge of land administration and customary rights to assist dispossessed families in reclaiming their properties.
“He worked closely with legal experts to pursue rightful claims and restore the dignity of many families who had been denied their inheritance. Almaroof’s home was a sanctuary for many, where people found refuge, mentorship and hope.
“May the Almighty continue to grant him eternal rest. His light still shines in our hearts, and his legacy lives on.”