Tajudeen Adebanjo
MEMBERS of the Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC) in Lagos State on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late first Military Governor of the state, Brig.-Gen. Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson (retd.).
The late Johnson died on Wednesday at a Lagos hospital in Ikoyi.
The GAC members were led by Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, who doubles as the leader of the Lagos Central Senatorial District of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
GAC is the highest advisory political organ of the state’s APC family.
Olusi said the delegation ought to have been led by the party’s National Stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the head of the GAC, but he could not make it due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
“We are here to pay a condolence visit to the late Brig-Gen Johnson’s family,” Olusi said. The APC chieftain called another member of the GAC and one-time Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Edun, to read the condolence letter signed by Asiwaju Tinubu.
The former Lagos State governor said the late Johnson was an important national statesman and one of the true fathers of the state. The late Johnson, he said, embodied the true spirit of Lagos.
According to him, the late Johnson served Lagos with dedication and determination.
Asiwaju Tinubu said: “He contributed immensely to the state and helped us to develop the civil service. Brigadier Johnson’s tenure in Lagos witnessed the building of major infrastructure in the state.
“He made laudable contributions to the unity of the country as one of those who fought for Nigeria’s indivisibility. A committed nationalist, he also laid the foundation for the development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the first administrator of the former Federal Territory of Lagos in 1966.
“Papa was a man of high integrity. He was one of the two state governors (along with Brig.-Gen. Oluwole Rotimi) given a clean bill at the inception of Murtala Muhammed government in 1975 by the panel which probed the activities of the state governors who served under General Yakubu Gowon.”
Nigeria, the Jagaban Borgu said, will miss him.
“Lagos will miss him. We will all miss him. I will miss him. Brigadier Johnson was always available to advise and extend a helping hand to successive regimes in Lagos and particularly to me during my time as governor.
“I commiserate with the children and other family members. I also use this medium to extend my condolences to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government and people of the state over the transition.
“We thank God Brigadier Johnson lived to an advanced age and left behind good children and significant legacies,” he said.
Read Also: Tinubu not opposed to Ekiti cargo airport
The former governor prayed God to give Johnson’s family the strength and fortitude to live through the transition.
Senator Anthony Adefuye, who was also called by Prince Olusi to speak, said the late Johnson would be remembered for the construction of Ikorodu-Itoikin Road.
The historic road was awarded to Julius Berger Plc.
Adefuye added that the Iganmu-Badagry Road was also constructed during his tenure.
“He was the architect of the structures we have in Lagos. The Bar Beach and the whole of Victoria Island were his projects. He left a good legacy for the governance in the state,” he said.
Other GAC members on the visit included former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Chief M. A. Taiwo, Chief Lanre Rasak, Prince Rabiu Oluwa, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Dr Abayomi Finnih, Omoba Murphy Adetoro, Alhaji Mutiu Are and Omoba Muyiwa Sosanya.
A son of the late Johnson, Seyi, thanked the delegation for the visit.
He spoke in company of his brothers – Dr Lanre and Deji – as well as other family members.
“We are honoured for your coming. We are grateful for the wonderful things Asiwaju Tinubu has said about our father. Words are not enough to express how we felt. Thank you,” Seyi said.
Leave a Reply