The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commiserated with Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and his family on the loss of their patriarch, Pa. Ademola Fashola.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the party said though the loss of a loved one, especially a worthy father like Pa Fashola, is always painful even at a ripe age, his exit is nothing but a glorious transition.
”A father who gave the people of Lagos state a first-rated Governor and a man of integrity and rare vision like His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, must be appreciated and celebrated both in life and in death.
”This is why we believe that the death of Pa Fashola, despite the painful loss that it is, should also be used as an opportunity to celebrate his life, not just by his family but by all of us,” it said.
APC described Pa Fashola as a humane, humble and unassuming man, whose sharp sense of humour never escaped anyone who met him in his life time, saying even being the father of an excellent Governor neither affected his humility nor dulled his sense of humour
The party prayed that God will give Gov. Fashola and his family the fortitude to bear their great loss and also grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed.
It urged Gov. Fashola to continue to fly his family flag, the Lagos flag and the Nigerian flag very high, saying this is one of the best tributes he can pay to his father.
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commiserated with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of three journalists who died in an auto crash last Friday.
The party in a statement issued by its Acting National Publicity Secretary said it is deeply pained by the death of the journalists describing it as “a blow to journalism profession and the nation at large.”
The PDP said the fallen journalist “were heroes who spent the larger part of the lives working for the peace and development of the nation” adding that their memories will remain fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
The party which said it was “saddened that the journalists died at the time their services were most needed in the country” however urged members of the NUJ not to be deterred but “honour their fallen colleagues by remaining steadfast in using their profession to propagate a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.”
The PDP prayed God to give the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also condoled with the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, over the death of his father.
The former Vice President in a statement by his media office in Abuja, said that though the death of Pa Ademola Fashola is a sad development, his demise in the holy month of Ramadan was an enormous grace from God and urged the Fashola family to accept the death of its patriarch in good faith.
“While it is understandable that the death of a parent is always a painful experience, I will urge members of the Fashola family to take the death of its patriarch in the holy month of Ramadan in good faith.
“The deceased, no doubt, has left an indelible ink as a man of honour, judging by the quality of children that survived him, and secondly, by his sterling administrative qualities in his days as the advert manager of the Daily Times of Nigeria,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President noted that Governor Fashola is a shining example of how a good home can make a positive influence in the life of an individual, and by extension, in the life of a country, adding “the dream of having a good country must start with a dream of building good homes.”
Meanwhile, the former Vice President has sent wishes of quick recovery to the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over surgery for sports injury to his knees.
Atiku noted that having been a victim of such domestic accident in the past, he would urge Tinubu to brace for the surgery and, upon recuperation, apply some caution in his body fitness workouts.
“It is a painful experience to bear an injury on one’s knees or on the ankle. It is even more painful to enter into the theatre as one advances in age. But I will urge the Asiwaju to brace for the surgery, while we wish him quick recovery,” the Turakin Adamawa said.
Equally, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commiserated with his brother Governor, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Fashola.
In a condolence letter to the Lagos Governor, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “I received with great shock the news of the passing on of Your Excellency’s beloved father and mentor, *Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola*. I offer the heartfelt condolences of the Government and good people of Edo State as well as my personal commiseration over the sad loss.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, my dear brother, at this very difficult moment. From accounts of your father’s life and times, we learnt that he was a man of character and valour, a man with a keen sense of fairness, equity and justice to all that crossed his path. It, therefore, needs no guessing the extent to which *Pa Fashola* helped shape the successful man, professional and administrator that you are today. It then becomes easier to appreciate the bond that existed between your good self and the significant imprint he represents in your inspiring story.
“While we join you to mourn his departure, we are certain that you will find consolation in the fact that Pa Fashola had lived a worthy life as a kind, wise and devoted community leader, deserving of celebration.
“It is our fervent prayer that the Almighty Allah will grant his soul eternal rest, and comfort you and the larger family he is leaving behind the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
