ILLUSTRIOUS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ILOBU, 20TH EDITION

This edition is bringing to fore, a man that stole my heart from childhood. His sermons at Islamic gatherings endeared me to him. His mastery and diction of the Arabic language also won my heart dearly. I grew up to know him as my god; even in death, he has a special apartment in my heart for his benevolence to mankind, erudition, simplicity, Godliness, abundant care for children and love for Ilobu community.
Sheikh Hasim Shafih Igbayilola was born to the Sodiq's dynasty in Imam’s Compound, Ilobu in 1938. His search for success took him away from his home town in 1960 to Owo and later to Mefoworade. He finally sealed his Islamic education when he settled for Sheikh Yunus Sanusi’s Arabic School, Ikirun in 1963. At Ikirun, he did not only study and passed in flying colours but became Sheikh Sanusi’s ‘Son’.Hence, Hashim Igbayilola became a household name in Ikirun since then till date. It was reported that, to show how much love Sheikh Yunus Sanusi showered on him, he was quoted to have said at a forum that “I am Hashim and Hashim is me". This statement explained the love between the two.
After a meritorious service to Sheikh Sanusi, he relocated to Ilobu and in 1975 he established the Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies, Konda, Ilobu. This school was a respected citadel of Islamic studies and teachings for many natives and non-natives. People came from far and near to study and some of his students have made Ilobu their permanent home.
His Ibadullahi Group of Schools which has a nursery, primary and secondary section was more of a philanthropic gesture. Sheikh Hashim Igbayilola was always buffering up the fund generated from the school to settle the school’s monthly bills – teachers’ salary and purchase of instructional materials. The tuition fee charged was the cheapest when he was alive, considering the facilities available in the school compound and yet many people were not paying.
His lifestyle depicted that of a specially created soul. His love for up-coming ones is immeasurable. He was always willing and ready to support whoever comes his way with all that God has bestowed on him. He was an encyclopedia of Islamic and Arabic knowledge, a quintessential scholar of note and a superb blessing to mankind.
Sheikh Hashim Igbayilola never had a bank account, whatever comes in, is expended on his immediate and extended family, his students, who have become his adopted children and the have-nots. I remember seeing him on the touch-line to watch us played football matches in those good old days at St Paul’s playing ground and I wonder what a special breed he was.
He was highly committed to individuals’ progress, supporting people with prayers, financial and material resources at their time of need. No wonder his house was always busy with people from all the works of life, far and near, old and young. Baba was exceptionally good; he was god to many of us.
For every voyage, there is time to alight from the bus. No matter how sweet and refreshing a jar of juice may be, it will be exhausted. Death’s wicked hands took Sheikh Hashim Igbayilola away after a protracted illness on the 6th of October, 2015 and I have waited patiently for his one year remembrance - coincidentally, this edition is featured on a day a remembrance prayer is being organized for him at the compound of Ibadullahi Group of Schools, Konda, Ilobu (9/10/2016).
Therefore, in recognition of Sheikh Hashim Shafih Igbayilola outstanding contributions to the growth of natives and Ilobu community, I therefore humbly submit and present him posthumously to the whole world as an illustrious son of Ilobu Asake.

Dare Alabi,
Project Director.