L-R: Speaker House of Representatives. Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi at the funeral of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Lagos on Sunday.
Ekiti state Governor, Dr kayode Fayemi and his colleagues from Edo, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States- Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal, were among dignitaries that bade farewell to the late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, as the remains of the late President General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men were interred in Lagos on Sunday.
Alhaja Mogaji, mother of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) died on Saturday evening. She was aged 96.
Speaking in Lagos shortly after the burial , Governor Fayemi and the first civilian governor of the state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo described Alhaja Mogaji as a phenomenon and a pillar of support for the less privileged.
Governor Fayemi said the deceased was a legend, a colossus and a titan whose contributions would remain indelible in the minds of many as she had contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria in different sectors especially in the political scene right from the Action Group days .
The Governor added that the ACN leader’s late mother was an epitome of integrity and was committed to the wellbeing of the people as seen in the influx of people who daily take turn to get succour from her.
“She was a force of nature and had spoken so much about standing for what one believes in. she was a committed and passionate fighter, an activist. Right from her days in the Action group, through her days in the UPN, through her activist movements during the military struggle and till the time her son became governor in Lagos State and also our leader, she was always passionate. She had information about what goes on in the states because she had her radio permanently beside her, and she would ask if what she heard was true and how you are trying to handle it”, Fayemi said.
He stressed that her demise sends message that the upcoming generation must be upright, maintain integrity and place priority attention on the people as she did during her lifetime.
Governor Fayemi expressed joy that the late market leader lived to a very ripe old age and positively contributed to the nation’s economy as an investor, entrepreneur, employer of labour and a big-time merchant.
Describing Alhaja Mogaji as an “activist par excellence”, Dr. Fayemi recalled that the deceased used her position to mobilize market women to fight for their economic rights and empowerment.
He described the son of the deceased and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the greatest gift bequeathed to the nation by the nonagenarian.
In his remarks, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adebayo said Alhaja Mogaji was politically-inclined and believed strongly in the development of Nigeria; saying that she had also dedicated herself to the service of market women in Nigeria.
Adebayo said the deceased’s life proved that women also have roles to play in the development of the country.
A member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti Central federal constituency II and in-law to the Tinubu family, Hon Oyetunde Ojo said the country has lost a rare gem especially giving the number of people who daily benefit from her philanthropy; saying that she had laid a standard for the family to follow.
At the event were National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande, business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote among other dignitaries.
Last modified: June 17, 2013