Fellow Nairalanders, I throway salute! Ever since I was knee high to a teddy bear, I've been hearing all sorts about the Kwara Strongman and so called kingmaker, Chief Olusola Abubakar Saraki. I'd forgotten all about him over the past years, but his name cropped up again (in the mix) with respect to Societe General Bank and Jay Jay Okocha's million pound investment. Does anyone know the real deal about Olusola Saraki ?. I mean, what does he really do for a living? Why is he so influential in Kwara politices? What is his biography etc.

check the internet my friend, particularly google.com

Saraki is a medical Dr by professional training, he was a former Senate majority leader in the 2nd republic. He is an influential person in the Kwara politics especially in Ilorin.

His influence stems from the level of poverty and the fact that he started our early in the 70s - 80s when civilisation was just creeping into Ilorin.

He is the owner of SARAKI state where he is Party chieftain, his son is governor and daughter was a senator

I am 38 years old and my first contact with oloye dated back to 30years ago

It was during a season of dryness and complete lack of water for people in ilorin and its
environ.

We woke up around 4am in the morning to beat the crowd of water hunters. At just 8 YEARS

of age i put up more than 2 kilometers of trekking looking for water .And the water; muddy, odorous

and must be sedimented using alums. Cholera break out was the order of the day. many  a promising

souls died in the plaque

        Then came saraki oloye. HE SITED WATER STORAGE  TANKS IN STRATEGIC LOCATION OF THE TOWN.

AND ENSURED THAT THE TANKS WERE REGULLARLY FILLED. The farther anyone would go looking for water
was just about 15 minute trekk.

Saraki started enlightening the populace on th need to participate in democracy. By 1979 if you did not vote for saraki or

his appointee you had a serious battle with your conscience.

AS WE GROW OLDER ,WE RECOGNIZE HIS CONTRIBUTION ALBEIT WE OCCASSIONALLY DIFFER WITH HIM ON SOME POLITICAL ISSUE.

HE CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN BY OUR MOTHERS AND SOME OF US THAT SURVIVED THE PLAQUE.