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Abdulkarim Adisa: Remembering A Quintessential Officer

“Pulling-out remains a cherished ceremony for any distinguished General on meritorious retirement. Abdulkarim Adisa enjoyed the preferment. That was on his retirement day. Thereafter, he lived in grace and nobility for years.

“Pulling-out remains a cherished ceremony for any distinguished General on meritorious retirement. Abdulkarim Adisa enjoyed the preferment. That was on his retirement day. Thereafter, he lived in grace and nobility for years.

He later attended another “pull out” ceremony as he took a bow and transited on February 25, 2005.Adisa’s professionalism would remain a benchmark for an ideal soldier. He had enviable paternal and material backgrounds and built on them. He was born to the family of Alhaji Bakare Adisa and Alhaja Belawu Akanke Aro of Aloba compound, Ojo Iya area, Kwara State on August 22, 1948.He was a committed Muslim due to his parental backgrounds. His family values molded him into a fine Army Officer that the society subsequently inherited.

He attended Quranic School Ilorin from 1951-1953 and Catholic Primary School, Ibuso Gboro Ibadon (1953-58); N.A Senior Primary School Wawa, Borgu Local Council now in Niger State in 1961, later went to Nigerian Military School, Zaria (1962-1965). He also attended Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna (1967-1970). Reward of his success at the institution was promotion to the officer rank of Adjutant, 3 Artillery Required, Port Harcourt in 1970 and Battery Commandant (PAPABTY), 3rd Artillery Headquarters, Port Harcourt, later Adjutant Field Artillery School, Kaduna. He proceeded to United States School of Artillery, Forte Seal Oklahoma, U.S.A. (1971-1972). Also in school of Artillery, black health UK (1974-1975).

On his return to Nigeria, he held the position of Instructor, Artillery School, Kaduna in 1975 and General Staff Officer 1, Army Headquarters (SD/PALNS). He was promoted to Commander 3, Artillery Brigade, Nigeria Army Abeokuta and Commander 32, Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army Owerri in 1985, later Commander 33, Artillery Brigade. He became Acting Military Governor of Imo State and Chairman, Imo State University (now Abia State University) appeal fund.

Adisa was promoted to Founding Commander 36, Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army Kaduna in 1988. Due to his brilliant performance, he was promoted chairman, Presidential Monitoring Committee on State Military Governor, Oyo State (present Oyo and Osun states) (1990-1992). He later became a Commander, Lagos Garrison Command and Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Artillery CorpS, Kotangora and Director of Training Defence Headquarters.

He was promoted to the rank of Major General in October 1994 and Minister of Works and Housing Federal Executive Council of Nigeria (1995-1997).Due to his meritorious and dedicated services in all the appointments, he was decorated and honored with Pass Staff College (PSC), Forces Services Star (FSS), Military Services Star (MSS), Members National Institute (MN), Director of Law (Honorary) Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Adisa was a philanthropist. His kindness knew no bound and practised until he died. Perhaps, it was this disposition that made Almighty Allah to bless him. He used the blessings to serve mankind. He was known to have given assistance to various people of diverse backgrounds. He assisted in the building of several mosques and churches and donated generously to missionary activities. He established Abdulkarim Adisa Foundation with three main departments, namely: Medical, Welfare and Religion to further give financial assistance to the poor.

Through the Adisa Bakare Education Endowment Fund (ABEEF), which he established in 1997,
Adisa gave scholarships to students in both secondary and tertiary institutions. The number of beneficiaries, since 1997, is over 9,000. The sustainability of this laudable programme is assured since the initial fund raised has remained intact, only the interest earned is being used over the years.

Adisa was a hardworking, skillful and dedicated Army Officer. He was a prayerful, devoted and disciplined father, who had a good heart and love for all his children. Adisa was an elder and strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State. He was conferred with traditional chieftaincy titles in Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Imo, Abia, Enugu and Anambra States.

Until his death, Adisa was the Chairman / Chief Executive of a conglomerate called Diskabol Group of Companies with several business outlets under it to provide employment for Nigerians. He was a foremost industrialist in Kwara State.
He is fondly remembered by his amiable wife, Adisa Abdulmumin, the children: Abidemi, Adisa Abayomi Ismail, Adisa (Adamu)Moriamo Ajibike, Mrs Ramot Omotayo Adisa and grand children.

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