The setting was awesome. Golden lights gleamed through the length and breadth of the hall, turning the expensive facility into a mass of gold. On the right side stood a live band. Beside it was a big stage, covered with purple satin clothing.
Welcome to the refurbished Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the special interdenominational service in honour of the late Alhaja Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, mother of former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Alhaja Mogaji’s huge portrait formed part of the giant size pictures hung at the back of the stage and also in strategic parts of the venue.
Guests were ushered in by a bevy of beautiful women clad in purple “old school” native dress.
Women traders added a unique touch to the gathering. They made a statement with their purple head gears on white iro and buba.
The choir, comprising men and women shone in their purple gown, entertaining the large gathering at intervals.
Asiwaju Tinubu and other dignitaries sat in the middle of the hall, facing the stage; the clerics beside them.
The two hours 30 minutes event began with a prayer. It featured choruses, an opening hymn, a Bible passage, testimonies and special prayers for the children, family, Lagos State, traders and Nigeria.
It was anchored by the trio of Revd Tunji Adebiyi, Revd Funmi Akitoye-Braimoh, both Governor Babatunde Fashola’s aides, and Mrs Yetunde Akinluyi.
Pastor Kunle Ajayi sent the crowd on to the dance floor after prayers. He thrilled the gathering with his saxophone.
Some of the officiating ministers showered encomiums on the deceased and Asiwaju Tinubu.
General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor Kayode Abiara, expressed satisfaction with the life of the late Alhaja Mogaji and urged God to grant the family the power to continue with the good example she had shown.
“God who gave us Mama will stand by us. We pray that He’ll save the family she left behind from any form of affliction and be with them always. We hope through Jesus Christ to get the blessings which you have given to the woman we are celebrating today to impact on us.”
The Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos Anglican Church, Revd Adebayo Akinde, said Mama set a standard for the children to follow and they should not be found wanting because the lessons are there for them to learn from.
The clergy, who called for the restoration of peace in the country through divine intervention, said if most leaders imbibe the example of Tinubu, the country would be better for it.
“Asiwaju has followers because he shares with people, communicates with them and does not close his door behind the people. He is always ready to share whatever he has with the people, no matter the discomfort it is going to cause him. This, we believe, are qualities of good leaders which the late Mogaji bequeathed to mankind.”
Revd Mercy Ezekiel urged all women to follow her example of being a good samaritan.
“When people die, we need to be comforted; God will comfort her family. This is a woman who passed on at 96; yet, people are still saying she is too young to die. They have said so because of the enormous impact she made in their lives. She had been catering for many people and had transformed their lives; reason they would not want her to go even at that age,” she said.
Other men of God who prayed for the repose of the late Mogaji called on those present to think of how they could make impact in the lives of mankind. According to them, they would gain if they live a selfless life and follow the teaching of Christ as Mama never discriminated.
Asiwaju Tinubu began his vote of thanks by urging the gathering to shout Halleluyah three times.
While acknowledging guests one after the other, he jokingly described Senator Chris Ngige as the shortest man in the hall.
“Chris, get up and shout Halleluyah,” Asiwaju said. The hall erupted in laughter. Ngige stood up and shouted “Halleluyah!”
The ACN leader said the best way to honour his mother was to embrace peace and imbibe the good example she bequeathed.
He said the late Alhaja Mogaji believed much in the power of prayers and always prayed for the country.
He explained that his mother, who believed in fairness, was instrumental to some of the policy thrusts of the administration of Lagos when he was the governor.
He said: “I remember when my mother had to urge me to pay school fees for some pupils who could not afford their examination money. I had to assist in this dimension and initiated the idea of paying WAEC fees for students.”
Tinubu recalled the role the late Alhaja Mogaji in his life, especially when he was in exile. She prayed for him and never discouraged him from the struggle.
“My mother never for once asked me to come back home, but few days to her death, when I was out of the country, when we spoke, she said ‘what was I still doing overseas and whether I won’t come home again’. I was worried by this statement and had to cut short my trip to be with her.”
“Her death has robbed me of a precious mother … no matter how I had fed, I must eat Mama’s amala. I thank God for the life of Mama; she was never at any point in time a burden to us. She was a blessing to us and passed on peacefully,” he said.
Present at the event were: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; his Ekiti and Osun counterparts Dr Kayode Fayemi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; deputy governors of Osun, Lagos and Ekiti Otunba titi Laoye-Tomori; Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Prof Modupe Adelabu; governors’ wives – Mrs Abimbola Fashola (Lagos); Mrs Florence Ajimobi (Oyo) and Mrs Funsho Amosun (Ogun).
Also in attendance were Senators Tinubu; Ngige; Gbenga Obadara; Olorunnimbe Mamora; Ajayi Boroffice and John Akpaudoedehe; House of Representatives members Abiodun Faleke; Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; Oyetunde Ojo and Folasade; Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Mayowa; former Inspector General of Police Alhaji Musiliu Smith; Prof Oserhiemen Osunbor; Chief Pius Akinyelure; Demola Seriki; Chairman, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited Chief Michael Ade.Ojo; Lagos former Deputy Governor Mr Femi Pedro; Lagos Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs Ademorin Kuye; his Transportation, Home Affairs and Culture counterpart Kayode Opeifa and Oyinlomo Danmole.
Also there were Alhaji Ibrahim Balogun; ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Erelu Abiola Dosumu; Prof Pat Utomi; Mr Joe Igbokwe; Revd Samuel Ogedengbe; Dr Leke Pitan; Bishop Lanre Obembe; Revd Adewale Martins; Prophet Kayode Abiara; Prophet Gabriel Fakeye, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Pastor Ben Akabueze; one time Lagos Finance Commissioner Wale Edun, Hon Wale Oshun, former Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Dele Alake; Hon Lola Akande; Mrs Derin Disu; Mrs Kemi Nelson; Comrade Olabode Ola; Alhaji Moshood Tijani (A.k.a Tijaco); Kehinde Bamigbetan; Yetunde Arobieke and Dr Samuel Adedayo.
Source: The Nation
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