The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti State on Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre has lamented over the sudden death of Alhaji Saleh Rabo Kareem, describing his exit as the fallen of a giant star in Nigeria’s tourism firmament.
In a condolence letter sent to the Vice-President, FTAN, South-West, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, Ojo-Lanre said “I am shocked to the marrows by the sad news of Alhaji Saleh Rabo Kareem, who was until the tragic incident the President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).”
His death could be described as the fallen of a giant star from Nigeria’s tourism firmament whose accomplishments and legacies will remain indelible in the history of FTAN.”
Ojo-Lanre disclosed that “His death to me is not only a corporate tragedy but a personal loss. Our relationship is dated to the late 1990s when he was the young manager of All-State Travels, owned by Alhaji Munzali Dantata with an office at the Nicon Hilton Hotel, then.
He described the late Alhaji Rabo as “diligent and ultra-loyal staff of All States Travel who always ensured our comfort are sort after whenever I accompanied Ogbeni Tope Awe to visit Alhaji Munsali Dantata, who was planting a Resort opposite the Zuma Rock in Niger State.”
He revealed that “This relationship was affectionately oiled when I was retained as the Public Relations Officer for FTAN after the end of Dr Goodie Ibru’s tenure as FTAN President and the ushering of Alhaji Munzali Dantata who organized the first successful FTAN National Awards based on merits and unquestionable accomplishments in the sector.”
He said that “Alhaji Rabo stooped to conquer. He confounded many with his intellectual direction and quest for professionalism and credibility which he injected into FTAN. He successfully piloted the affairs of FTAN gloriously for a two-term tenure despite the initial scepticism of some cynics.”
He affirmed that “Alhaji Rabo his best. He served FTAN with all his strength, energy and ability. Though his death is a vital blow to the tourism sector the memorable part of his story is that he served FTAN genuinely without an iota of unwholesome controversy.”
Consoling the family, Ojo-Lanre said, “My empathy goes to his immediate family who I pray to Almighty Allah, the most beneficent and the most merciful to have mercy on them and comfort their souls.”
Sympathizing with FTAN, Ojo-Lanre said “To our FTAN colleagues, in particular, I know you are bereaved, accept my mournful sympathy. To Nigeria and the tourism sector in general, let us pray to Allah to forgive him his sins and accept him into Aljaena frauds.”
“Rest on in peace, amiable, responsible, honest, goal-getter, pleasant, friendly, cool, calm, collected but daring, Alhaji Saleh Rabo Kareem,” Ojo-Lanre concluded in his condolence letter.
