Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and several governors were among notable Nigerians that stormed the 8th Day Fidau Prayers for late Ibrahim Ademola Bayo Fashola, father of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.
Among the governors that attended the prayer sessions were that of Adamawa State, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako, Governor of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Kwakwanso, that of Jigawa State, Mallam Sule Lamido, that of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, that of Ogun State Senator Ibikunle Amosun, that of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, that of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his counterpart from Oyo State, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
Held at Tafawa Balewa Square, it was quite Herculean accessing and exiting the venue as Nigerians from all walks of lives besieged the venue to pay their last respect in honour of the deceased and condole with the family he left behind.
In his sermon, Sheik Abdul-Rahaman Ahmad of Ansar-Udeen cautioned those saddled with the responsibilities of leading the nation to lead a good life adding that the world is like a bridge.
“You don’t build of the bridge, you cross it “, he said and likened the world to a bridge which he said leaders must pass through it and not to destroy it. According to him, Nigerians from all walks of life will all be brought before God in the judgement on the basis of their deeds. According to him, only those who live a worthy life will have people who will intercede in their behalf for God to give them peace.
He said that power itself is ephemeral and called on leaders to always remember the day that they will drive all alone without sirens, orderlies, securities and be caught in the traffic. He said many will point to them, saying, that is him, he was our former governor and former Senator, etc adding that present deeds will determine the honour that would be accorded one once saddled with the responsibilities of leadership.
In his tribute, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, said his heart goes to the entire family and the people of Lagos State at this time.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to commiserate with you and to pray that Almighty God imbues you with the strength to cope with this painful loss”, the President said.
In his remarks, Aminu Tambuwal described the late Fashola as father and a very good man. The speaker who said he met him on his pilgrimage to Mecca said Nigerians will surely miss him and prayed Allah to grant him eternal rest.
