President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Nelson family over the death of former Southwest Zonal Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari, who conveyed First Lady Aisha Buhari’s condolences along with his, described Nelson as “a frontline politician and an advocate of the womenfolk.”
The President also sent condolences to the government and people of Lagos State, the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Lagos APC family on the death of “a consistent and faithful party member, who devoted so much to the evolution, development, sustenance and relevance of the party in Lagos and around the country.”
Buhari noted the contributions of Nelson as a former commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Lagos State, the state women leader, national deputy women leader of APC and former executive director of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, saying she was such a grassroots mobiliser and an achiever who left her footprints wherever she served.
“As the only female member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Nelson was part of the governance structure that led to the transformation of Lagos State into the Centre of Excellence,” he said.
The President prayed that Almighty God would grant the husband, Adeyemi, family, friends and associates of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the loss and repose her soul.
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has also mourned Nelson.
Tinubu, in a statement yesterday by his Media Office in Lagos signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, said: “I was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of activist, prominent politician and one of my closest associates, Yeye Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson.
“A nationalist and grassroots mobiliser, Mrs. Nelson ranked highly within our progressive front. She was relentless, she was dedicated and she worked assiduously for the creation of the Nigeria of our dreams. She could well have achieved and sustained personal success as a private citizen concerning herself solely with the welfare of her family. Instead, she passionately committed herself to politics as a vehicle for her to contribute to the common good.
“Throughout the course of her life, Mrs. Nelson did much for the development of Lagos, the cause of progressivism and the progress of Nigeria. As commissioner she began the Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Centres in various local government areas across Lagos which, to this day, continue to empower disadvantaged women, men and youths in the State.
“We shall never forget Yeye Nelson. For her past sacrifice for Lagos and indeed Nigeria; she will be remembered. For her commitment to the womenfolk and the downtrodden she will be celebrated.
“I will always remember Yeye for her loyalty, sense of duty, abiding compassion for humanity and for always being there for us and our progressive cause.
“I commiserate with her family particularly her doting husband and children. I mourn with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and our APC family. I commiserate with her numerous associates across the country including First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari.
“We have all lost an illustrious woman. May we all have the strength to live with this passing. I pray that God Almighty grant her eternal rest. Good night Yeye Kemi Nelson. Good night Yeye of the Universe.”
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has expressed sadness over the death of Nelson.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker described Nelson as one of the pillars of the APC in Lagos and Nigeria, noting that her death was a huge loss.
Gbajabiamila said APC had lost a jewel of progressive politics, one of its finest and most committed members, who promoted the interest of women in politics till her last breath.
He sent condolences to her family, women in politics, Lagos State Government and the entire APC family, praying God to repose her soul and give her family the fortitude to bear the loss.Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday mourned the passage of Nelson.
Sanwo-Olu said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile.
He described the death of Nelson as a great loss to Lagos State, especially the ruling party, considering her unique position as one of the great mobilisers in the party.
He said the late Lagos APC women leader was a “passionate, trustworthy, committed, extremely loyal politician, leader, women advocate and an invaluable asset to APC and Lagos State.”
According to him, the death of Nelson was a painful and big loss to him personally, to GAC, APC, the deceased family and friends.
“She will be missed dearly by her family, friends and the entire political class, particularly GAC, chieftains and members of the ruling party across Lagos State and Nigeria.
“I pray that God will grant the soul of our beloved GAC member, Chief Kemi Nelson, eternal rest and comfort the immediate and political family she left behind,” he said.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries and the lawmaker representing Lagos East, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, has mourned the passing on of Nelson.
Abiru, in a statement yesterday in Lagos by his media aide, Mr. Enitan Olukotun, described the death as shocking and devastating.
He said the astute grassroots mobiliser, highly cerebral administrator and defender of the downtrodden quit the stage when her robust wealth of experience in politics would be needed.
Abiru prayed that God should grant the family of the deceased and all progressives the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Murtala Ajaka, has described the death of Nelson as a loss of a progressive fighter, who spent her life for an improved and just society.
He expressed sadness over the sudden passing away of Nelson.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the APC spokesman described Nelson’s death as a big loss to the APC family.
Ajaka said the deceased was a generous politician, loyal and dedicated to the APC.
The APC spokesperson, who described Nelson’s death as a personal loss to him, also paid condolences to the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu and the Lagos State APC.
Praying to Almighty Allah for the repose of the late Nelson’s soul, Ajaka said: “Her legacy will stand as an example to all of us to persist in our pursuit of progress because Mrs. Nelson was a woman worth of emulation.”
The lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, has expressed sadness and shock over the death of Nelson.
Faleke, in a condolence message yesterday in Lagos, said the death of Nelson was not only a big loss to Ikeja Local Government and Lagos State, but also to the entire progressives family and the nation.
Faleke, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Finance, condoled with the people of Ikeja Federal Constituency, the government and people of Lagos State, on the loss of the frontline politician.
He said: “Very sad day for me and the political family. Chief Nelson will be greatly missed. May her soul rest in peace.”
Mrs. Nelson died yesterday after a prolonged illness at the age of 66.
The politician, born on February 9, 1956, is survived by three children.
Story By
Bolaji Ogundele, Tony Akowe and Jide Orintunsin Abuja