Prominnet Nigerians and All Progressive Party, APC, stalwarts yesterday, stormed Lagos for the one year remembrance ceremony of the mother of former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji. She was until her death the Iyaloja General and President General of Market Men and Women in Nigeria.
Among those at the ceremony were Governor Babatunde Fashola, former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Others were Deputy governor of Lagos State, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, a member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, former interim chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, first lady of Osun State, Mrs. Serifat Aregbesola, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Justice Utman Muhammad, retired judge of the Supreme Court.
Also in attendance, were Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Speaker of the Lagos and Oyo states House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Mrs. Monsurat Sumonu respectively, Hon. James Faleke, among others.
The late Mogaji, died on June 15th, 2013 at 96 in her house in Lagos.
The one-year fidau prayer held in Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos attracted eminent personalities, politicians, captains of industry and thousands of traders, who defied the early downpour to offer prayer for the repose of the soul of the late Iyaloja General and President General of Market Men and Women in Nigeria.
Speaking on the demise of his mother one year after, Tinubu said “I miss my mother dearly but I know that all of you who have come here today are there for us. All those who have come here today, I pray that your son will also achieve greatness.”
On the legacy of the late matriarch, Faleke in an interview said “The greatest legacy she left behind was to be the mother of all. For instance, I am not from Lagos but she accepted me as her son. Throughout her life time, I was very happy that I had someone like that as a mother.
“I learnt from her how to pray and how to love everyone. I miss her prayers dearly and the role she played as a mother to all.”