Former governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola


Olawale Olaleye

Former governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola, was friday buried amidst encomiums in his compound at Ibowon, Epe, following a farewell mass at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ibuwon.

The deceased, whose remains were committed to mother earth at about 2pm after the last rites were performed in his honour, died on May 5, at the age of 88.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was amongst the dignitaries at the funeral charged everyone to emulate the life of the late Otedola by taking something away from all that everyone said about him.

Jonathan, who said the late Otedola served Lagos and Nigeria gracefully and left gracefully, added that: “He has left his marks on the sands of time, even though he ruled Lagos State for just three months, he was able to leave an indelible mark which has been tremendous in the development of the state and Nigeria.”

The president therefore charged other leaders to let the life of Otedola be an example to them, adding that the question that should be uppermost in their minds must be: “What will people say we have left behind for them to remember us? What would people say about us?

“Pa Otedola has been a father to us all. We believe with his departure, God will fulfill his promise to us all by providing us a comforter to fill the gap left behind by him,” Jonathan said.
In his sermon, the Chaplain of Marian Shrine, Lagos Catholic Diocese, Monsignor Philip Hoteyin, called on the president to consolidate on the unity of Nigeria.

“Nigerians are everywhere. Everywhere you visit, Nigeria is regarded as the greatest. Let us remain one of the greatest countries that we have always been,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria has always been regarded as one family and that all efforts must be geared towards keeping the country together as one. He therefore urged Nigerians not to forget that they remain visitors on planet earth.

“We all must be the way, the truth and the light in whatever we do. This is because we will all die but we don’t know when, how and where it will happen. That is why man must be very careful while on earth,” the Chaplain said.

Apart from Jonathan, other dignitaries present at the funeral service were the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; former president Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola and his wife, Bimbola; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; former presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and House of Representatives members-  Hon. Abike Dabiri and Hon. Lanre Odubote.

Also present were former Chief of Staff to Jonathan, Mike Oghiadomhe; former military administrator of Lagos, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Ministers for Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke and Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina and chairperson, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arumeh Oteh.

Also in attendance were former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, members of the Lagos State Executive Council and Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan.



Source: ThisDay