Lagos—The remains  of the late former Minister of Education, Prof. Babatunde Fafunwa, was laid to rest yesterday in Lagos according to Muslim rites.

The accomplished educationist was buried at Ikoyi cemetery at a funeral attended by political and religious leaders, as well as associates from the academia.

In his sermon, the secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, Prof. Dawodu Noibi, urged the gathering to learn and prepare for the inevitability of death.

He said: “Let each and everyone of us present here bear in mind that death is inevitable; when, where and how it would happen, we may not know.”

See photos here

He described the late educationist as a religious, generous and industrious Nigerian who gave all his life to the service of humankind, without any worldly materials.

Sheik Kamaldeen Shuaib, the Chief Missioner of Jama’atul Islamiyyah— the Islamic organisation the late Fafunwa belonged to— prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and Allah’s protection for those he left behind.

Lagos Governor Raji Fashola, who paid a condolence visit to Fafunwa’s Victoria Island residence, described him as a dedicated son of Lagos who committed his life to the progress and development of the nation.

Governor Fashola said: “We have lost in Prof. Fafunwa an industrious and dedicated son of Lagos who lived all his life to the service and development of the nation.

“It is indeed iconic that as an octogenarian, he did not relent to serve and finally answered the call while serving.”

Former Governor of Lagos, Sen. Bola Tinubu, said Fafunwa died at the time he had accomplished what God had purposefully sent him to achieve in life.

He described him as a role model who was always passionate about Lagos, as well as his chosen field of education.

Among other dignitaries at the interment were former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Musiliyu Smith, General Adeyinka Adebayo (Rtd) and Sen. Wahab Dosunmu.

The former Minister of Education in the Babangida’s regime, died in Abuja in the early hours of Monday at the age of 87. Born in 1923, Fafunwa as minister, was in charge of the biggest school system in Africa. Fafunwa left behind four children and his wife, Doris.