President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commiserated with Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his family on the death of their famed matriarch, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji on Saturday.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president hailed the late Mogaji for her activism, which robbed off positively on lives.

He also saluted her for championing the cause of women and the poor alike. He extended his condolences on behalf of himself, family and the Federal Government, to Tinubu, saying she passed away at the grand old age of 96.

“The president joins Asiwaju Tinubu, his family, the people of Lagos and the many Nigerians whose lives were touched in positive ways by Alhaja Abibat’s activism over the years in mourning the late president-general of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men.

“He also joins them in giving thanks to God Almighty for Alhaja Abibat’s long and very fulfilled life in the course of which she developed a great personal followership and contributed immensely to communal, societal and national development.

“President Jonathan believes that the highly revered and respected market leader, businesswoman, political activist and philanthropist will be long remembered and honoured in Lagos and across the country for her championship of the cause of market women and men as well as for her acclaimed persistence, well into old age, in defending the interests of the poor and underprivileged in society.

Similarly, the Senate President, David Mark, has sent a message of condolence to the family of former governor of Lagos State, Senator Tinubu over the passing unto glory of the matriarch, Alhaja Mogaji.

In the condolence message to the government and people of Lagos State, Senator Mark described the late Alhaja Mogaji as an ideal mother who contributed her quota to the peace and development of the society.

Mark noted that the late Mogaji was a great businesswoman and leader whose philanthropic gesture cut across ethnic and religious boundaries. He added that the late Mogaji would be remembered for her industry and leadership quality pointing out that she was “a great leader who brought dignity and honour in administration and purposeful management in commerce and industry in Lagos and its environs.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State has also commiserated Senator Tinubu on the death of his mother, Alhaja Mogaji.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, the party said the roles played by the deceased in her family and business would be greatly missed.

He said, “Nigerians, especially those in the Association of Market Men and Women, would not only miss Alhaja Mogaji physically, they would have an indelible legacy in the quality and impact of her leadership and service delivery.”

He observed that the deceased gave the country one of her kind in the person of her son, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue with her quality of leadership and service, which Nigeria now needed desperately to save the country from chaos and systemic collapse.

According to the him, “the passing of Alhaja Mogaji reminds us of the finite nature of our existence on this side of life and it tells us in graphic language that whoever we are, and whatever we do, somehow, someday, it will all be over.”

Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, commiserating with the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the death of his mother, Alhaja Mogaji, urged Tinubu to be consoled by the fact that not only did Alhaja Mogaji live up to the ripe age of 95 but equally the impact of her life on a lot of Nigerians.

He said Alhaja Mogaji was not just an extraordinary philanthropist but also had huge impact as the President General of Nigerian Market Women and Men.

He said: “She is an extraordinary Nigerian and it is obvious that losing such a great influence, no matter the age, will be painful.

“Asiwaju, you should, however, be consoled by the fact that mama lived a great life and ran her journey well.”

Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi said death has robbed the nation of one of the greatest commercial and political matriarchs left in the country.

He made this known through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo.

Ajimobi traced Alhaja Mogaji’s involvement in politics from her days as a member of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group (AG) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), stating that her footprints on the political terrain, especially in the mobilisation of the womenfolk, for political and development purposes, could never be wished away.

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also described the death of Alhaja Mogaji, as a monumental loss for the nation’s commerce and economy.

The governor said in a statement on Sunday that Alhaja Mogaji was a pillar of support for many people in her lifetime as she served as an oak of succour to the less-privileged.

Fayemi, in the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, described Alhaja Mogaji as a legend, a colossus and a titan whose contributions would remain indelible in the minds of many.

Fayemi, however, said he was happy that the late market leader lived to a very ripe old age and positively contributed to the nation’s economy as an investor, entrepreneur, employer of labour and a big-time merchant.

Describing Alhaja Mogaji as an “activist par excellence,” Fayemi recalled that the deceased used her position to mobilise market women to fight for their economic rights and empowerment. The governor pointed out that Alhaja Mogaji was in the forefront of women emancipation and participation in politics, especially in having a say in the election of their political leaders.

He described the son of the deceased, Asiwaju Tinubu, as the greatest gift bequeathed to the nation by the nonagenarian.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, in addition, has commiserated with Tinubu on the death of his mother, Alhaja Mogaji.

In a condolence message signed by Mr. Peter Okhiria, his chief press secretary, Oshiomhole said, “I commiserate with you, my leader and indeed with the entire Tinubu family, on the passing of your beloved mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji. I wish to offer the condolence of the people and government of Edo State and my personal commiseration over this loss.

“Our thoughts are with you and the rest of the family at this difficult period. With her demise, the nation has lost a senior citizen who contributed her quota to the growth of the nation. Mama was a model mother, industrious woman and philanthropist who brought up her children with the fear of God. We must find some comfort in the fact that she lived to a ripe old age, seeing her children rise to prominence in the society.”

Also, the former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, reacting to Alhaja Mogaji’s death through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lere Olayinka, the former governor said: “Alhaja Mogaji will be sorely missed as a renowned market leader, who nurtured many entrepreneurs to maturity and financial independence.”

He said, “though Mama died at 96, her death cannot but be a great loss to Senator Tinubu, the Mogaji family and the entire world.”

Bauchi State in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ishola Michael Adeyemi, declared that the late president general of market women in Nigeria died at a moment her motherly role was most needed.

Yuguda said she would be missed most considering the current situation in the country, pointing out that advice from highly respected people like the late human rights activist would have made a significant positive impact.

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, described the late Alhaja Mogaji as a great mobiliser for good cause, saying Lagos State and Nigeria have lost a progressive woman of distinct qualities.

Shettima said his acquaintance with Lagos State as a postgraduate student and his services in the banking sector afforded him the opportunity to appreciate the organisational power of Mogaji as the leader of the market women association.

The senator representing Kwara Central District at the upper chamber, Bukola Saraki, yesterday also expressed shock at the demise of Alhaja Mogaji.

Saraki, in a statement signed by his media aide, Omisore, said, “I am saddened by the demise of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji the mother of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Mama passed on after a brief illness at the age of 96.

“Alhaja Mogaji, the president general of the market men and women association would be remembered for her giant stride in the business world. She lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation, a role model to many, who contributed immensely to the development and empowerment of market men and women.

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi said he was saddened by the incident, which he described as a ‘huge loss’.

He said the transition of Alhaja Mogaji would be painful to Tinubu and all who knew her because of her endearing qualities, especially as leader of men.

He urged Tinubu and his other immediate family members as well as the people and government of Lagos State to take the incident as an act of Allah since the life of every mortal was subject to His will.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar expressed utter shock at the death of Hajiya Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, the mother of Nigeria’s prominent opposition politician and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement of sympathy to the ACN leader, the former vice president said the death of a mother was one of the saddest events in the life of children.

As a caregiver, protector and character moulder, Atiku said, a mother’s place in the lives of her children could not be compared to anything else.

According to him, the pride of a mother was to see her children grow up as responsible adults that realized their dreams or aspirations.

He said the late Mogaji’s pride was to leave behind children who were determined to make their marks in life.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan described the death of Alhaja Mogaji, as a big blow not only to Lagos State and market women all over Nigeria, but also to Delta State which shares a close affinity with Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi, a proud daughter of Delta State.

Governor Uduaghan recalled with nostalgia, the bond that existed between Alhaja Mogaji and Oluremi, adding that it was not surprising that apart from her husband who gave full consent for her to run as senator, the deceased stood as unrelenting motivator for the dream to be realised.

In a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary, the Delta State governor particularly praised the sacrifice and championing role of Magaji in giving market women a place of pride in the country, adding that there was no doubt that until her death, she remained the face and hope of millions of traders all over Nigeria.

Former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola describing the death of Alhaja Mogaji as a personal loss, said her death has made Nigeria poorer in quality counsel.

He noted the tremendous support the deceased gave him and other successive governors of Lagos State.

“Between 1994 and 1996 when I was the military administrator of Lagos State, Alhaja Mogaji as the head of market men and women was virtually a mother to me. Her counsel and support in those turbulent political days were very invaluable.

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said the demise of Alhaja Mogaji was a great national loss given her prominent position in the coordination and mobilization of market women for national development.

“Mama symbolized hope for the hopeless, championed development and empowerment for the less privileged and represented inspiration for the younger generation,” Ahmed said.

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APGA yesterday issued statements of condolence over the death of the mother of former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, Alhaja Mogaji who died at the weekend.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh in a statement said Alhaja Mogaji lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

Metuh further recalled that she was a devout Muslim, who led an active life worthy of emulation in many ways.

A faction of APGA under the leadership of Maxi Okwu also extolled the virtues of the late matriach of the Tinubu family.

“The death of a mother at any age is always painful; we share the grief and pray that God Almighty will grant the family and all those affected by her demise the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“We are consoled that Ma Mogaji lived a life worthy of emulation. She was an embodiment of patriotism and integrity. Her selfless service to humanity is crafted in gold and in the hearts of many people she positively affected.”

Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, PRONACO spokesman described Madam Mogaji as one of the few women in Nigeria, who inspired the democratic struggles of the Nigerian people.

Okunniyi said Abibatu Magaji would be remembered for her consistent support and prayers for the progressive movement and the struggles to entrench democratic order in Nigeria.

He said: “We will live to remember mama’s doggedness and regular prayers for us in our various endeavours to entrench democracy in Nigeria. Mama was also the strongest mobilizing factor for women during the PRONACO Peoples’ National Conference between 2004 and 2007

“We shall definitely try and explore the possibility of setting aside a day to honour and relive the great deeds of mama in the succeeding weeks. Abibatu Mogaji was indeed a true mother of the Nigerian progressives.”
http://africzone.com/jonathan-mark-kalu-govs-others-condole-with-tinubu/

RIP Ma!

gud