By OLASUNKANMI AKONI
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and his Borno State counterpart, Alhaji Kassim Shettima, were among several dignitaries who visited Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, at Marina, State House, to condole with him on the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Fashola, Pa Ademola Fashola, who died last Monday, in Lagos, at 80.
Meantime, dignitaries are expected to throng Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos Island, today, for more tributes and offer 8th day Fidau prayers according to Muslim rites for the repose of Pa Ademola Fashola.
Mimiko, during the visit, described the governor’s father’s death as a sad occurrence adding, however, that although the death would naturally provoke moments of grief, survivors of the deceased should derive joy from the fact that he lived a good life and left a worthy legacy in Governor Fashola.
Mimiko went with some members of his Cabinet.
“We have also come to rejoice with you because Papa lived a good life and he left behind a worthy legacy in the governor of Lagos state,” he said.
Praying the Almighty Allah to grant repose to the soul of the deceased and to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss, the governor also thanked God and circumstances that produced a personality like Mr. Babatunde Fashola.
Also in his remarks, Shettima, said the father of Governor Fashola lived a good and fruitful life adding that he trained his children well and impacted positively on ordinary citizens, especially the poor and needy in the society.
The governor noted that the elder Fashola wanted the best for his family and that was why he trained all his children well adding that the deceased lived a vey exemplary life of giving to others in need. He prayed for the repose of the soul of the octogenarian and also that the Almighty Allah would support the family of the deceased.
In his response, Governor Fashola expressed gratitude to the governors for the visit and honour done to the memory of his father noting that for the governors to leave the ever tasking challenges of governance in their various states to come down to Lagos to commiserate with him and the family, was indeed, a demonstration of how deep their honour was.
Fashola told Shettima: “There is a lot of history between us and the people of Borno State and I believe that this day’s honour reaffirms the common bond that our ancestors have shared.
“They are bonds which we must rededicate ourselves to fastening, to tightening and to remoulding so that in the fullness of time we may also hand it over to our children. They are bonds that I belief if pursued rigorously, will ultimately bring peace to our nation”, the Governor said.
According to him, “They are bonds of humanity; they are bonds of brotherhood, they are bonds of love and compassion. Those are the most needed ingredients now, in my humble view, to pursue in order to reach out to the promise of our nation which I see within touching distance.”
Thanking his Borno State counterpart for the visit, Fashola encouraged him: “As you continue to soldier on in the pursuit of love, peace and brotherhood across barriers, I pray that Allah grants you all the wisdom and strength to discharge the mandate which was so graciously bestowed on you in respect of the people of Borno and, by extension, Nigeria.”
Others who visited included; a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu and National Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Ayo Opadokun, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mr. David Paradang, and Executive members of the Igbo Communities in Lagos, among others.
DECO, Ayo Opadokun, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mr. David Paradang, and Executive members of the Igbo Communities in Lagos, among other prominent members of the society from all walks of life.
