By Olanrewaju Agiri
As family, Shooting Stars fans and well-wishers gathered recently to celebrate the 20-year remembrance anniversary of the number one supporter of the Oluyole Warriors, Pa Ganiyu Olayiwola Elekuru, and the ex-media officer of 3SC, Hon. Jubril Arowolo Are, shared the last moment of Baba Eleran.
Arowolo, during a lecture organized in Baba Eleran’s memory, shared how Bàba didn’t speak with anybody in the last 48 hours prior to his death but only talked to him before taking his last breath, urging them to make sure that Shooting Stars, which was in relegation at that time, secured promotion in that year.
Arowolo described Baba Eleran as a dependable person who could be highly trusted. “He told me that it was Chief Lekan Salami that brought him into Shooting Stars, the moment the team was created because he used to be the supporter of Ibadan Lions Football Club,” said Arowolo during the event held at Agbole Adelakun Awa compound, Elekuru House, opposite Oja’ba Central Mosque, Ibadan.
The veteran broadcaster, however, narrated in his lecture that it was Mr. Feyi Ogunduyile, a reporter with the National Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan then who interviewed Baba Eleran to speak on the preview of the CAF Champions League final match between Shooting Stars & Zamalek of Egypt. In a move to create hype for the match, Baba made the chant of the ‘Balubalu ntafin’ song, which later became synonymous with him, even after his death.
Also speaking during the event was Alhaji Abdul Hameed Balogun, who happened to be Bàba Eleran’s childhood friend, who came to attend the remembrance from Oyo and narrated his memorable moments with the deceased. “I was a taxi driver when I met Baba Eleran in Ibadan, and he was the one that introduced me to the Shooting Stars Supporters Club in 1976.”
Among other dignitaries that attended the event was the admin officer of Shooting Stars, Tajudeen Babayemi, who came to represent the management of 3SC and pledged continued support to the Baba Eleran’s family. The immediate past Chairman of Ona-ara LG, Hon. Musbaudeen Adesina Sanusi, popularly known as Shaba, who was also the chairman of the occasion, spoke highly of the deceased.
Shaba emphasized the impact Baba Eleran had on the community and how his dedication to the club inspired countless individuals. As stories of his generosity and leadership circulated, it became clear that his legacy would continue to influence future generations.
