After his late father, Pa Ademola Fashola was lowered into the grave on Tuesday, Lagos State governor went down memory lane.
Speaking with reporters about what he would miss most about the deceased, the governor noted that non-discriminatory disposition to life which made his father, a staunch Muslim, allow his children to make their choice on religious convictions, would not be easily forgotten.
He added that his late father would be missed because “ he was our best friend. He allowed us to be what we want to be. That is why we have among us his children, muslims and christians. He didn’t discriminate. No matter the condition, he always got on. He was a loving father, and humble in attitude,” he said.
The governor, however, gave glory to God that his father lived a fulfilled life, even as he noted that it was also to the glory of God that his father died during the holy month of Ramadan and also in the night of the glorious month (Lailat-Ul-Qaudir).
“He died on the night we had Lailat-Ul-Qaudir in Saudi,” he said.
Dignitaries across the land also joined Governor Fashola in paying glowing tributes to the departed soul.
Governor Fashola and other members of the family were all clad in white dresses made of lace material. He wore dark glasses and remained calm as the remains of his father were being laid to rest at the beautifully designed and expansive tomb said to belong to the family.
The dignitaries, who were part of the occasion, include the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforij. He was accompanied by all members of the parliament.
Other eminent personalities include Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams, Chief Samuel Jegede, former Governor Donald Duke, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Justice Onalaja; Justice Oguntade, the retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Revd (Dr) Vallis Kolawole.
Others include Very Rev S. T. V. Adegbite, Chief Henry Ajomale, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chairman in Lagos State; Hon Adewale Ayodele, Engr Demola Akinyemi, Chief Sunday Olaitan, Chief Samuel Fadairo, Chief Yaya Ogunjobi, Oba Adedayo Ishola Shyllon, Lemo 1 of Agbado; among others including commissioners and government officials.
The remains were later interred following prayers offered by Muslim clerics.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in for the late Pa Fashola, as former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan described him simply as a nice man, who had played his role well while he was alive, even as he wished the departed soul eternal rest.
Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Ikuforiji, who also spoke on the deceased, recalled that the late Pa Fashola lived a life that was worth celebrating having lived a fulfilled life.
Ikuforiji urged Governor Fashola and other members of the family to be consoled with the fact that their father died during the Holy month of Ramadan and on the night of majesty, which is refered to as Lailat-Ul-Qaudri, saying that meant that his supplications had been accepted and all his sins forgiven by God.
High Chief Disu, a cousin of the late Pa Fashola, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, stated that he had since accepted the occurrence as the will of God.
According to him, the late Pa Fashola touched many lives, just as he prayed God to give his soul eternal rest.
“He lived his life and believed in God so people should try and emulate him,” he said.
In her own response, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the late Pa Fashola as a great dad, who put his children on the path of hard work, faith in God, and sincerity of purpose.
The lawmaker, who said that the deceased lived and died a fulfilled man, described him as a father figure to many people irrespective of their background.
“He always had a ready smile and words of wisdom. No doubt he died a fulfilled man and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” she prayed.
Chairman of ACN in Lagos State, Chief Ajomale in his response, described the demise of Pa Fashola as a great loss to the family, “especially if you have somebody who had been a pillar in the family producing a child that is now the hope of Lagos State, the symbol of our party.”
He recalled that the late Fashola through his words of advice “gave us a brighter future for Lagos and a brighter future for our children.”
Ajomale further described him as ‘a model, a dedicated father not only to his children but to all others,” saying he would be greatly missed.
“We are going to miss him, we are going to miss his advice, his uprightness, and the drive he applied to getting things done.
“We can only commisserate with the family of Fashola for the loss of Pa Fashola,” he said.
Senator Durojaiye, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, said the late Fashola had left a good memory for him to be remembered.
“For your son to rise to the level of being a governor and a performing and respectable governor as such, that was a great joy for him. Many people will like to have that. It happened in his life time. He had done well and had gone to rest. He left with a good memory. I wish him a happy rest in the bossom of the Lord,” he prayed.
Chief Adeniyi Williams, who worked with Pa Fashola, recalled their days at the defunct Daily Times, saying the deceased was a great pillar of support as well as a loving and caring father, who would be long remembered for his selfless service.
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