The 2-hour event, which took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island, recorded prayers from Sheiks and Imams for the repose of the soul of the deceased, tributes from friends and associates and admonition to Nigerian leaders to be ready to account for their deeds in the hereafter as death was certain.
The dignitaries include Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal; son of the deceased and Lagos State governor, Governor Fashola; his counterparts in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Jigawa, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Edo and Niger mamely Ibikunle Amosun, Abiola Ajimobi, Rauf Aregbesola, Kayode Fayemi, Sule Lamido, Murtala Nyako, Tanko Almakura, Adams Oshiomhole and Babangida Aliyu respectively.
Others are former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Masari; Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Tom Ikimi, former Minister, Nasir El-Rafai; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora,
pa fasholaTraditional rulers, members of the diplomatic corps, and clerics as well as various clubs and associations to which the late Pa Fashola belonged, including the famous Island Club, Eko Club and Premier Club were not left out.
In the lecture delivered at the occasion, the Chief Missioner of Ansar-ul-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulrahman Ahmad, said it was certain that everybody was going to taste death and, therefore, charged Nigerian leaders and everyone in position of authority to be prepared for the hereafter where they would be made to give account of their stewardship where on the earth.
Sheik Ahmad, who dwelt on the purposes for which Allah created mankind, enjoined Nigerian leaders to see lessons in life, death and “accountability that come on the judgment day when every soul would be raised up before his Creator.”
According to the chief missioner, while death is certain for everybody, it is not certain that everybody will make it to heaven.
Ahmad said making heaven for the leaders or anybody would depend on the good deeds they must have accomplished while they were on the planet earth.
The chief missioner, who said every soul would be raised up in chains before God to account for his deeds, said the shackles would only free souls who people’s evidences favoured as having been good to people and rendered service altruistically as enjoined by the Almighty.
“What is the lesson of death? People forget that they have to die. Whether they are prepared to die or not, death is certain to come. You came all alone naked and you will return naked. You have not come with stored gold.
“On judgment day, it is going to be terrifying. All the paraphanelia of office will be lost whether you are president, governor or minister, you are going to render account of your stewardship before God.
“Every leader would be brought in chains and until people who knew him say he lived and left a good legacy, until they say he ruled well, will he be allowed to go to heaven and the chain removed from him.
“Nobody is going to be certain that he will go to heaven,” the Muslim cleric said.
He, therefore, prayed the Almighty to grant the soul of Pa Fashola eternal rest and members of the family, including Governor Fashola the fortitude to bear the loss.
Earlier, there were readings from the Holy Quran and prayers said by Mudr Morcas, Sheik Abeebullahi Adam el-Ilory and Sheik Muhideen Ajani Bello for the children and wives of the deceased.
However, members of the societies, including Island Club, Eko Club and Premier Club to which the late Fashola belonged took turn to pay their last respect and bid him farewell.
The Island Club, which consists of notable Nigerians, through their representative, simply said: “it is a good farewell to the father of governor of Lagos, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola. Baba we say rest in peace.”
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