Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday described the late literary icon and foremost industrialist, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi as one of the founding fathers of modern day Lagos who offered selfless service to the service of the State and the nation.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja during a reception organized by the State Government in honour of Gbadamosi, said the late economist and industrialist was a true Lagosian who contributed immensely to the development of the State, adding that the government and good people of Lagos would forever cherish his contribution to the growth of the State.
Speaking at the event which was well attended by captains of industry, politicians, and stakeholders in the arts industry, among others, Governor Ambode said Gbadamosi served the State at a young age as Commissioner for Economic Planning and ended his service to the State at his old age as Co-Chairman of the Lagos at 50 Celebration Committee.
He said: “I stand here on behalf of all Lagosians to celebrate selflessness. Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was an illustrious son of Ikorodu; a true son of Lagos; a patriotic Nigerian; an elder statesman; a thoroughbred economist; a lover of arts per excellence; a consummate businessman; and above all a selfless Nigerian.
“He was not just a father but one of the founding fathers of modern day Lagos. We, in Lagos State, will forever cherish his contribution to the growth and development of Lagos State. He was a fine gentle man; a father; an uncle; and a very lively person. We, in the State Government, will miss him so much.”
Besides, the Governor described Gbadamosi’s death as a personal loss to him, saying that the late industrialist was a brother, counselor and big uncle to him, and that he (Gbadamosi) has surely earned a place of exemplary leadership in the government of the State.
He recalled Gbadamosi’s days as the Commissioner for Economic Planning in the State whereby he contributed to laying a solid foundation for the development of the State, saying that his appointment as Co-Chairman of Lagos at 50 Committee was reached after a careful study of those who have served the State selflessly.
While also recalling the backlash that trailed Gbadamosi’s appointment into the Committee on health grounds, the Governor said he (Gbadamosi) stood his ground and never allowed it to deter him from selflessly serving the State, and urged other members of the Committee to make the events to celebrate the State bigger and more successful in his memory.
Besides, Governor Ambode urged Gbadamosi’s family to be strong and take solace in his dreams and vision of a modern Lagos as well as his legacies.
The Governor, however, assured that because of Gbadamosi’s love for arts, the State Government would intensify initiatives to promote arts more than ever starting with arts exhibition in January, 2017 to bring the old and the young together and create the framework for youth engagement.
In her tribute, President of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chief Mrs Nike Akande said the late Gbadamosi personified the value of hard work, adding that he was an amiable and hardworking industrialist who was always bringing deep intellectual insight into national issues.
Akande also said Gbadamosi had an incredible passion for the progress of Lagos and he was a leading industrialist, lover and supporter of the arts.
On his part, veteran actor, Olu Jacobs said Gbadamosi was passionately committed to standing with the people and was always particular about the welfare of the arts and artists.
Responding on behalf of the family, Gbadamosi’s eldest child, Mrs. Morounkunbi Osinoiki thanked the State Government for organizing the tribute in honour of her late father, saying it was well appreciated by the family.
Tag: Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi
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Gbadamosi, one of the founding fathers of modern Lagos – Ambode
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Osun mourns passage of Rasheed Gbadamosi
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday, extended his condolences to the family of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi who died on Wednesday.
Aregbesola described the late Gbadamosi as a leading industrialist, humanist, art and culture promoter and writer.
In a condolence message signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola described the death of the industrialist as the “passage of a good man.”
The Governor, who prayed for the repose of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi’s soul and extended his condolences to the immediate family, members of the business community, the people of Lagos state where he hailed from and Nigeria at large.
Aregbesola urged Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, people of the Business and Art communities, to take, with equanimity, the death of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, describing it as an inevitable end for all.
Aregbesola said: “The late Gbadamosi lived his life for the good of humanity. He was a good man. He built a reputation as a credible businessman and industrialist. His love for philanthropy was remarkable. He loved culture and spent his resources to promote arts. It is painful to loose this good man but one clear lesson is the transient nature of life itself.”
“On behalf of the good people of Osun, it is our fervent prayer that Allah will grant him Aljanah Firdaus and give the people of Lagos State the fortitude to bear the loss.”
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Ambode mourns Rasheed Gbadamosi
- Says State has lost a great son
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday expressed great shock over the passage of foremost industrialist and economist, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.
Gbadamosi, a Co-chairman of the Lagos @50 Committee, died on Wednesday at the age of 72.
The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said he was truly saddened by the demise of the former Minister for National Planning, describing him as a true Lagosian, who was passionate and always willing to serve his state and fatherland.
“As a foundation member of the first Lagos State Executive Council after the creation of the state in 1967, he contributed immensely towards laying a very solid foundation for what is, today, the foremost state in the country and the nation’s unarguably Centre of Excellence. He also distinguished himself as a Federal Minister and PPPRA Chairman.
“Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was a sound economist, one of the best in his generation. His passion to serve his fatherland was never in doubt, so it was not surprising to me that he graciously accepted to serve as Co-Chairman of our Lagos @50 Committee and in the last few months, he was directly involved in the meetings and planning to ensure the success of the celebration.
“He was the youngest commissioner in Lagos State at 27, an industrialist and a very consistent financial expert. He was a proud son of Lagos state who had paid his dues over the decade. A financial guru and a public administrator per excellence, who would never shy away from letting people know that he was a thoroughbred Lagos boy, born in Ikorodu,” the Governor said.
Governor Ambode while commiserating with the family of the late economist and art enthusiast, urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and continued to render meritorious service to the State until his demise.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Chief Gbadamosi on this great and irreparable loss. He paid his dues and Lagosians will always remember him,” Governor Ambode said.
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Ex-minister warns against acts capable of scuttling democracy
FORMER Minister for National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, has warned politicians not to engage in any act capable of scuttling democracy in the country.
The ex-minister who was part of General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s administration that returned the country to civil rule in 1999 appealed to all the stakeholders involved in the conduct of election to join hands together to make a success of the exercise .
Gbadamosi who spoke in Lagos recently urged politicians across the political divides not to see the various elections as a do –or- die affair. He also he enjoined them to shun violence or any action capable of endangering the current democratic experiment.
He said: “Sixteen years after return to civil rule, we have come a long way and so we should see the 2015 general elections as an opportunity to deepen democracy in Nigeria. This is why I’m appealing to all the political parties and their leaders to give peace a chance. We should avoid politics of hatred and bitterness. I was a member of the military government that returned the nation back to democratic rule in 1999 and therefore I’m interested in having our democracy being nurtured to greater heights.
“In any election, there is bound to be winners and losers. If you are aggrieved or feel cheated, don’t resort to violence. Refrain from making inflammatory remarks and don’t incite people to violence. The appropriate channel to seek redresss is through the courts. The judiciary is there to listen to your grievances. Never take law into your own hands.”
Gbadamosi noted that the whole world is watching Nigeria and that the country cannot afford to fail this time. His words: “We have a lot at stake in this election. The whole world is watching us, we can’t afford to fail. This is why we must all ensure that the election succeeds. It will be sad if we can’t conduct an election without rancour and violence 55 years after independence.”