Lagos stands still as Fashola buries dad

[Mirror]

• Jonathan, Amaechi, Amosun, Fayemi, Jakande, others honour gov

Lagos stood still yesterday as Governor Babatunde Fashola buried his father, Pa Ibrahim Ademola Fashola, amid pomp.

Present at the burial were President Goodluck Jonathan represented by the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi, former Head of Interim National Government, ING, Chief Earnest Shonekan, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Ibikunke Amusun (Ogun), Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye- Tomori, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

Others included former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Justice George Oguntade, foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, Senator Babajide Omoworare, members of the state executive council, members of the state House of Assembly and representatives of various traditional rulers.

The Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Akinola Garba, led hundreds of Islamic clerics to observe the Jannazah (prayers offered immediately after burial) while Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory led the funeral at the Vaults and Gardens.

Pa Fashola's body arrived at the Lagos Central Mosque at 2:50pm for the Jannazah after which it was taken to Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi by M.I.C undertakers. About 3:32pm, there was gridlock on all roads leading to Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens and Lagos Central Mosque on Lagos Island.

The President, who spoke through Abdullahi, said: "I express my condolences to the governor and other members of the family and I wish the late governor's father Aljanah Firdauz."

On his part, Fayemi thanked God for giving the late Pa Fashola the grace to live an exemplary life. Amosun said though Pa Fashola's death was unexpected, it was consoling that he lived a life worthy of emulation.

Addressing journalists after performing the dust-to-dust rite with other members of the family, Fashola, who dressed in white Kaftan, thanked Jonathan for his frequent calls after the incident and other Nigerians who had rallied round the family in its moment of grief.

The governor, who said his father lived a fulfilled life, said the deceased would be missed for his friendship and kindness. Fashola added that the fact that his father died during the last 10 days of Ramadan was a clear indication that God loved him.

He said: "He died in the month of Ramadan; he died on the Night of Majesty. We had just finished 'Lailatu quadri' prayers in Mecca, and for me, God is great because if God gave him the opportunity to chose how he would go, and when, he couldn't have chosen the day he went; it was such a great time. We thank God.

"I like to say thank you very much to everybody who has rallied round from yesterday morning before I returned from Saudi Arabia, the heart-pouring of love from all Nigerians, from Mr. President who called persistently until he got through to me, he sent his representative today, the honourable Minister of Sports and my brother governors, the Imams, the ordinary men and women and everybody, thank you very much.

"This was a painful way for us and for you to show how much you love us, but we really appreciate you; our gratitude is deep and immense and we could never fully express it. "As for my father, I think that for all of us his children, he was first and foremost our friend, he was our best friend, so that is what we will miss really. "Our father was a very loving friend who allowed us to be the best that we could.

He allowed us to be what we want to be, guiding and nudging, but never discriminating and that is why he had children that are Christians, Muslims, children who are Europeans, children who are married across all Nigeria.

"I think these have fully captured his life. I doubt that if there is any person who did not have enemies, it must be my father because he just got on with life. He didn't discriminate in any position he found himself; good, comfortable, painful, he just got on.

I learnt so many things from him and most of these things is who I am today and who I try to be and I hope that I can be as rounded in integrity, humble in his attitude to life and fully committed in all situations as he was."

Meanwhile, condolence messages have continued to pour in over Pa Fashola's death. Plateau State Governor, Jonah David Jang, expressed sadness over the death of the father of the Lagos State governor.

In a statement yesterday, Jang urged Fashola and the entire family to accept the death as the will of the Almighty God and be consoled that he did not only lay a sound foundation for them but must have died fulfilled having left an accomplished family which include a governor as a son and a legacy of service to humanity.

Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State also commiserated with Fashola.

National Mirror