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(http://www.channelstv.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/iyaloja-200x300.jpg) (http://www.channelstv.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/iyaloja.jpg)Clerics at the 8th Day Fidau Prayers for late Iyaloja-General of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Alhaja (Dr.) Abibatu Mogaji on Sunday urged Nigerian leaders and all those in position of authority to emulate the life of service to humanity as exemplified by the late woman leader.
Alhaja (Dr.) Abibatu Mogaji, who until her death on Saturday, June 15, 2013 in Lagos, was the Iyaloja-General of Nigerian Market Men and Women, passed on peacefully at her residence in Lagos at the age of 96 years.
Delivering a lecture at the occasion which took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos, one of the clerics and Islamic Scholar, Professor Dawud Noibi, said the principal lesson to learn from the life of Alhaja Mogaji was the fact that she lived a life of God consciousness adding that only such a life could ensure a prosperous and united Nigeria.
Professor Noibi who delivered the second lecture of the day, said the time has come for Nigerian leaders to readdress themselves regarding their intention as to what they do as leaders adding that without God consciousness, the leaders would not be able to lead with wisdom and understanding of the needs of the people.
"The lesson we should take away from here is that we, as leaders must readdress ourselves regarding our intentions, especially as what we do as leaders in high places", the Professor of Islamic Studies said adding that the whole of life is supposed to be devoted to the service of God.
Professor Noibi also urged Nigerian leaders to make the fear of God the basis for the nation's Education policy adding that without inculcating the fear of God in the children, the effort to build a society where accountability, transparency, equity and justice are the norms would remain a mirage.
"Leaders should ensure that the fear of God is the basis for the education we give our children. Without bringing up our children in the fear of God, the hope of ridding our nation of such societal vices as corruption inequity and injustice will remain unattainable for all times", the cleric said.
He further explained, "If leaders will lead with God consciousness, we will follow with God consciousness and their good deeds will be rewarded by Allah not only for their good deeds but for the good deeds of all those who follow them"
In his tribute read at the venue, the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, described the late Iyaloja-General as a loving mother, an inspirational matron, an activist, defender of the rights of women and the underprivileged in the society.
Consoling her son and National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the family she left behind, President Jonathan continued, "An accomplished business icon, a bridge builder across all social divides and a philanthropist of pre-eminent stature, her passing is no doubt a great loss to you and other members of the family".
"You should, however, find some comfort in the fact that your dear mother has left behind a larger family that cut across the length and breath of the nation who all share the grief with you at this time", the President said, adding, "As our beloved mother, Iyaloja-General, transcends to greater glory, it is my prayer, on behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that her soul finds eternal rest in the bosom of the Almighty Allah".
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), in his tribute, said although Mama had passed on, her immortality has been secured "by her many good deeds etched permanently in the hearts of all whose path she crossed". The Governor, who said although the astute woman leader would not live forever he never associated her with imminent death, declared, "At 96 years of age she never showed any sign that death was imminent. My thought of her were never associated with any thought of death".
"Perhaps that is why after the anniversary of June 12 at the LTV grounds in Ikeja, although my thoughts were with her, I opted to attend to other matters of public nature. In my thinking, I would see her the following Monday after the weekly Executive Council meeting as I usually did and had done as recently as Monday 3rd June, 2013. How wrong I was", the Governor lamented.
Giving an insight into his closeness to the late Iyaloja-General, Governor Fashola, who said she always prayed for him each time he visited her, added she would also demand for employment for the several children of the men and women she led faithfully for decades.
"If I was in Mama's good books, I got two prayers, one on arrival and the other when I was departing. The signs of a one prayer visit were always obvious immediately you arrive. She would be frozen and insulting. Sometimes she would throw her face in feigned anger. But those who Mama allow into her world knew the key into melting the ice. A big hug or a kiss or both, depending on her mood and she was back with you instantly", he said.
Governor Fashola said the late Alhaja Mogaji always prayed that her children including the Governor and "all those younger than her" would survive her adding, "If that was her greatest wish, I believe it was answered. That is why many of us her survivors can now pay tribute; a tribute to a legend of a time before I existed and a legend of my own time".
In his own tribute, former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), described the late Iyaloja-General as a great mobilizer, pointing out that "because of her magnanimity in philanthropy, fear of Allah, ability to communicate through genuine interfacing and interaction with people, she earned the respect of all who came her way". "Alhaja (Dr.) Abibatu Mogaji was a great business woman and a great woman of substance. Little wonder she was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Human Letters (DHL) by a Special Convocation marking the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria because of the worthy recognition of service to her country that impacted positively in our national development", the former President said.
Addressing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Military President said, "Alhaja (Dr.) Abibatu Mogaji brought you up to be a well known, respected and admired leader who is committed to defend the fundamental rights of all people. Asiwaju, you are, therefore, roundly qualified to carry on her good deeds so as to keep alive the memory of her life".
And praying that the Almighty Allah would grant the soul of his mother a peaceful repose and support the family she left behind in this time of grief, General Babangida further told Asiwaju Tinubu, "Your political ideals of truth, reach, structure and network are evidence of her labour in nurturing, guiding and educating you so as to be useful to humanity".
Senate President David Mark, in his tribute, said Alhaja Mogaji's love for the people and her concern for equity and justice would remain evergreen in the hearts of all Nigerians adding, "She was a woman of strong character and an ideal mother who contributed her quota to the peace and development of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general".
In his tribute, Asiwaju Tinubu described his mother as "a good thinker, passionate and compassionate", adding "She has left a very good legacy for everyone. I take solace in the fact that she impacted in all those she came across during her 96 glorious years on earth".
He confessed, "She was the one who asked me to look at the face of three women who had the challenge of paying their children's West African Examination Council (WAEC) fee, which touched me. It isn't the amount of money I pulled out of my pocket but as a Governor then, I began the legacy of paying WAEC fee of pupils in Lagos State public schools".
"Those are the things that will fascinate anyone about my late mother. She taught everyone she came across contentment, love and the act of sharing especially to the needy", the former Governor said adding, "I am very happy that she is my mother".
And in an emotional tribute, daughter-in-law of the late national leader of market men and women, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said, "Since her death, I have been struggling to find the appropriate words to describe what she meant to me. I struggled for days within me for words powerful enough to give meaning to my feelings, words eluded me".
"From the moment Mama's son, now my husband, introduced me to her, I did not know what to expect. Mama was not the usual mother-in-law. She was much more, larger than life. I was forever challenged by her ways and standards, her devotion and her convictions. For years she smoothened my rough edges to make me a good wife and what I am today", she said.
Others who paid tributes included former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governors of Ogun, Osun and Oyo, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Right Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Emir of Zauzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, the Alafin of Oyo and many others.
Some of the highlights of the event included the reciting of the whole Koran by Islamic scholars, lectures rendered in Yoruba and English languages by Sheik Abdullahi Al-Ilori (for Yoruba) and Professor Dawud Noibi (in English) in which they urged Nigerian leaders to emulate the life of service to humanity as exemplified by late Alhaja Mogaji.
The "Celebration of Life" was made colourful by the huge turnout of prominent men and women, politicians, traders and dignitaries from all walks of life including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Hon. (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, wives of State Governors from the Southwest, members of COWLSO and other women leaders.
Also present at the occasion were governors of Oyo, Ogun, Osun States and Imo states, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Rochas Okorocha respectively, former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande, Chairman of Lagos ACN, Chief Oladele Ajomale, Senator George Akume, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan, prominent Islamic leaders and scholars, party chieftains and associates of Asiwaju Tinubu, Islamic associations and traditional Yoruba Societies as well as top government functionaries at both the national and state levels.
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