by Isi Esene

Former heads of state, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalam Abubakar yesterday visited the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola to condole with him over the death of his father, Ibrahim Ademola Fashola.

Both leaders who visited Fashola at the Lagos House, Marina prayed for the repose of Pa Fashola and also prayed that governor Fashola and his siblings have the courage to bear the loss.

Abubakar congratulated Fashola on the future he is building for the people of Lagos state and the country in general, praying that as he leaves his present office, he would assume greater responsibilities in the country.

Read the The Nation Newspapers report below:

Speaking during the visit, at Lagos House, Marina, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) declared: “I keep saying that without peace, there wouldn’t be any country, without peace, there wouldn’t be people, and without peace, there wouldn’t be means of livelihood.”

He also used the opportunity to congratulate the Governor on the future he is building for Lagos State, and the country in general, praying that as he leaves his present office, he would assume greater responsibilities in the country.

General Abdulsalam added that he and President Babangida are visiting to pay their condolence to the Governor and his family. He prayed for the repose of Pa Fashola’s soul.

Also speaking, former President Ibrahim Babangida, prayed to God to give the Fashola family the courage to bear the loss, adding that it is gratifying that Papa left behind an important gift in Governor Raji Fashola.

“In Islam, we do pray for long life, but long life does not mean living for 100 years or 500 years. We are gratified that Papa left, and he left one important gift, that is Governor Raji Fashola. So we are grateful that God has spared his life to see a Governor that everybody respects in this country. And I also pray that one of your children will also take the footsteps you have taken after Papa”, General Babangida added.

In his response, Governor Fashola thanked both leaders for the visit, saying they have not only honoured his late father, but also honoured his family, and prayed that honour will never depart from their households.

Governor Fashola also lent his voice to the appeal for peace in the country by both leaders. He said he was making the call because his late father was a man of peace. “Nothing for him was forever worth any conflict. If things became too difficult, he simply moved on.

‘’And I hope that the leadership that you both provide for this country will continue to endure, and that through that leadership, much more enduring peace would spread around this country, and that the promise of this country will come to pass in your lifetime’’, the Governor said.

Also present during the visit were the First Lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola, the siblings of Governor Fashola and some of the grandchildren of Pa Ademola Fashola.