As Nigerians from all walks of life prepare to honour the ceremony of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Rauf Aregbesola Of Osun, as well the ACN candidate in the 2011 presidential election, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, have expressed shock over the death of the 96-year woman who passed on Saturday evening.
Speaker Tambuwal described the death of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, as an incident which has created a vacuum in the ranks of philanthropic Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Tambuwal`s behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, he described the late Alhaja Mogaji as a committed nationalist who gave all for the unity, progress and development of the Nigeria.
He asked family members, friends and associates of the deceased to be comforted knowing that the late woman lived a fulfilled life with many achievements and contributions to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria.
The Speaker described the late market leader as an uncommon gift to Nigeria. “We will continue to cherish her love and affection. Alhaja Abibat’s love for the people, her concern for equity and justice will remain evergreen with us,” he said while praying that God should reward her good deeds and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Governor Aregbesola, in a statement by his spokesperson, Semiu Okanlawon, said the death of the woman was a huge loss. He called her a mother in a million adding that the incident would leave a big vacuum both in politics and the commercial sector of both Lagos State and Nigeria.
Aregbesola, who said Mrs Mogaji led a life of substance worthy of emulation, added: “mama Abibat Mogaji was a mother in a million. We commiserate with her children, particularly Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others for the great loss.
“We commiserate the Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwan Akiolu, the Mogaji Family, the people of Lagos, particularly Alhaji Femi Okunnu; the party (ACN); the government of Lagos, market men and women in Nigeria and Lagos in particular.
“We pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss and we pray God grants her Aljana Firdaus.”
Ribadu said the incident had drawn a curtain unto an era of courageous women movement that characterised independence struggle and beyond, in Nigeria.
In a statement released by his media aide, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Ribadu expressed pain and shock over the death of the renowned leader calling her ‘the last of exemplary amazons’.
According to him, the deceased’s doggedness, resilience and selfless community service were virtues that would remain indelible in the face of Nigeria’s history and non-state movements in black Africa in general.
“Personally, I considered her as a mother-figure and source of inspiration who remained a devout Muslim and committed to improving lives of others up to the time she breathed her last. She was a true nationalist and a bridge builder. We will miss her a lot,” Ribadu said in the statement.
He expressed his profound condolence to the immediate family, the government and people of Lagos State, Nigerian market women and the Nigerians.
