Fashola, Ribadu Mourn Abibatu Mogaji’s Death

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) described as a great national and personal loss the death of  Alhaja Abibatu  Mogaji, the pioneer Iyaloja /President General of the Market men and Women and mother of  the former Lagos State Governor , Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  In a condolence statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello,  Fashola said the mother of his  predecessor in office and National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) throughout her life time was a forthright defender of the people and their right to economic empowerment adding that this trait has been imbibed by anyone, who has had the opportunity or privilege to fall within the ambit of her influence. According to the Governor, this peculiar trait is evident in the personality of her illustrious son, Tinubu, a leader with the love of the people at heart.   Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji was a frontliner in the commercial development of Lagos State, particularly Lagos Island, which was formerly dominated by the Lebanese and Greek Merchants. He said: “She was one of the pioneer traders, who ventured into the capital intensive and risky business venture of importation of consumer goods, thereby breaking the monopoly previously enjoyed by the foreign tradesmen and her business acumen attracted the attention of Multi-National Enterprises operating in Nigeria then, who had no option but to register her as a business partner and distributor of their consumer goods in Nigeria.” Describing the late Iyaloja-General as a great matriarch, the Governor said Alhaja Mogaji did not limit her business and social networking to the confines of Lagos State alone, she was always seeking for the welfare of market men and women as well as ways of opening up more business opportunities for them. “This attribute of hers must have informed the unanimous decision of all commercial traders regardless of ethnic, religious or political persuasion to select her as the pioneer Iyaloja/President-General of Nigerian Market Men and  Women. A position she has handled with utmost responsibility and diligence, he said. Governor Fashola said Alhaja Mogaji would be sorely missed by noting that he would personally miss the motherly guidance and affectionate of the deported matriarch of the Mogaji Family. According to him, this becomes more so at this time when the nation needs more men and women in the mould of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji who would show leadership by using their gifts and talents to contribute to the development of Lagos. Praying for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed, Governor Fashola expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola and his family, to the ACN National Leader, the entire Tinubu Family and the people of Lagos for the great loss.  Similarly, former boss of the Economic and Financia Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former ACN Presidential Candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu said: “The death of mother of ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhajat Abibatu Mogaji, is the drawing a curtain unto an era of courageous women movement that characterised independence struggle and beyond, in Nigeria.   “I am sorrowed and shocked over the death of this renowned women leader, who I believe is the last of exemplary amazons.  “Alhaja Mogaji'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. I hail her entrepreneurship acumen and how she carried many budding entrepreneurs under her wings into building their own financial empires. “Her death is not only a loss to her immediate family or the people of Lagos state. 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. “I pray for the repose of Mama's soul and extend my profound condolence to the immediate family, the government and people of Lagos state and Nigerian market women and the entire Nigerians over this irreparable lose.”