•Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal, others pay tributes Lagos stood still yesterday as the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, buried his mother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, amid pomp.
The House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunke Amusun (Ogun) paid tributes to the mother of the ACN leader.
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyouku; ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and the ACN chieftain, Chief Tom Ikimi, also joined hundreds of eminent Nigerians that paid tributes to the late Mogaji.
As early as 8:4am, all roads leading to Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens and Lagos Central Mosques on Lagos Island were busy with heavy gridlock.
Abibat Mogaji's body was taken to the Central Mosque, Lagos Island, at about 11:24 am for Jannazah prayer before the final burial at the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens.
Speaking after the burial, Tambuwal described the late President- General of the Market Women and Men Association of Nigeria as a widely acknowledged philanthropist, who would be greatly missed by all the downtrodden in the nation.
He said: "She was a great woman and a great mobiliser of women and an advocate of people's right. Her socio-economic contribution to the nation will definitely be missed. She has left a vacuum in the nation. She was a special gift to this country. Other market women and men must emulate mama. They should be fair especially in the way they fixe price for their commodity."
Governor Aregbesola said the late Iya-loja was a Muslim who lived an exemplary life by sharing with the needy, regardless of where they come from.
He said: "She was a mobiliser and a good organiser. She was a leader and mobiliser of women. She was a philanthropist. She was charitable and compassionate. She mentored us so much."
But speaking at the Fidau held at the Blue Roof of the LTV8, the National Missioner of the Ansar-UDeen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul Rahaman Ahmad, described death as inevitable, urging the nation's leaders to always remember death as it would come when it is not prepared for.
He said: "Alhaja Abibat Mogaji came, saw and conquered. I sympathise with Asiwaju. We came one-byone and we shall return to Almighty one after the other."
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sympathised with Tinubu over the death of his mother.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President extended his condolence to Tinubu as the body of Alhaja Mogaji was buried.
Jonathan said he joined Tinubu, his family, the people of Lagos and the many Nigerians whose lives were touched by the deceased's activism over the years in mourning the late President-General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men.
Senate President David Mark described the late Mogaji as an ideal mother who contributed to the peace and development of the society.
Mark noted that the late Mogaji was a great business woman and leader whose philanthropic gesture cut across ethnic and religious boundaries.
He added that the late Mogaji would be remembered for her industry and leadership quality, saying that she was "a great leader who brought dignity and honour in administration and purposeful management in commerce and industry in Lagos and the environs."
Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu described Mogaji's death as a big loss.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndyebo, Aliyu described the late Iyaloja of Lagos as a towering business and women's rights figure who not only brought tremendous change to the business and political landscape of Lagos, but to Nigeria.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in a statement made available to National Mirror yesterday by Francis Ede, Senior Media Assistant to APGA National Chairman, Maxi Okwu, described the late Mogaji as a renowned market leader, activist and mobiliser of the womenfolk for socioeconomic change and empowerment.
Governor Fayemi of Ekiti described Mogaji's death as a great loss for the nation's commerce and economy.
The governor said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary that Alhaja Mogaji was a pillar of support for many people in her lifetime as she served as an oak of succour to the less-privileged.
Also, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State recalled the late Alhaja Mogaji's involvement in politics from her days as a member of Chief Obafemi Awolowo's Action Group (AG) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), stating that her footprints on the political terrain, especially in the mobilisation of the womenfolk, for political and development purposes can never be wished away.
The governor praised Alhaja Mogaji's involvement in commerce as well and the role she played as the President General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, an association with which she fought for the rights of market men and women.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said the death of Alhaja Magaji was a great national loss given her prominent position in the coordination and mobilisation of market women for national development.
National Mirror