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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Raufu Olayinka Ishola "Ola" Bello, who
4 passed away on February 6, 2025; and
5 WHEREAS, Ola Bello, the son of Adebayo Yunisa Bello and
6 Wosilat Aduke Bello, was born in Lagos, Nigeria on June 14,
7 1954; in his youth, he excelled at academics and sports and was
8 fluent in several languages, and he was an avid soccer player,
9 swimmer, and tennis player; he was awarded an academic
10 scholarship to University of Illinois Springfield, formerly
11 Sangamon State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree
12 and a master's degree in public administration; he married
13 Kemi Amoo, and they had three children; and
14 WHEREAS, Ola Bello's passion for higher education
15 continued at Illinois State University in Normal, where he
16 served as a residence and area hall coordinator for over a
17 decade; he also served as the academic advisor at Mennonite
18 College of Nursing in Normal and as an academic advisor at
19 Alfred University in Alfred, New York; throughout his life, he
20 remained steadfast in his belief of the importance of higher
21 education, which he instilled in his children; and
22 WHEREAS, Ola Bello was an avid gardener, renowned for his
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1 green thumb, and he enjoyed growing and cultivating plants; he
2 was also a great cook; he enjoyed watching international news,
3 politics, work outs, soccer games, WWE wrestling, historical
4 documentaries, and Nollywood dramas and listening to
5 Afro-Beats, with Fela and King Sunny Ade being among his
6 favorite artists; he also enjoyed literature and reading, and
7 his favorite book was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe; and
8 WHEREAS, Ola Bello was a devoted son, husband, father,
9 grandfather, and loyal friend; he will be remembered for his
10 contributions to higher education, his love of the arts, and
11 his resilience as a 5-time cancer survivor; and
12 WHEREAS, Ola Bello was the brother of Rasaki Kolawole
13 Bello, Tajudeen Olanrewaju Bello, Rafatu Abosede Bello,
14 Rashidat Olayinka Asekun Nee Bello, Abdul Lateef Olakunle
15 Bello, and Lukman Olayemi Bello; and
16 WHEREAS, Ola Bello is survived by his children, Bukola
17 Bello, Bisola Bello, and Adebayo Bello, and his grandchild,
18 Esaias Prince Akinbola Kea; therefore, be it
19 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
20 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
21 Raufu Olayinka Ishola "Ola" Bello and extend our sincere
22 condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
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1 him; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3 presented to the family of Ola Bello as an expression of our
4 deepest sympathy.
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