By Senator Mamora
On the evening of Saturday June 15, 2013, Mama Abibat Mogaji, the Iya Oloja General of Nigeria quietly breathed her last on this terrestrial abode. Her earthly tenancy of almost a century had expired. She had changed from mortality to immortality. Mama was a good woman. Nigerians celebrate her. She lived a life of service to God and humanity. Mama was a deeply religious woman and a devout Muslim. She was a humanist per excellence always looking out for the welfare of others around her. Mama Mogaji was loving, caring and compassionate.
She presided over the affairs of market men and women in Nigeria for nearly five decades. This underscores her organizational acumen aside from the great respect and admiration people generally had for her. Little wonder Mama was courted by the high and mighty, military or civilians in power. Mama never wavered in staying on the side of the people which invariably was the side of the truth. At no time was this more evident than during the crisis that followed IBB’s annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Bashorun MKO Abiola.
Mama’s innate intelligence was excellent while her power of recall of events with details was legendary. One would hardly ever be in a hurry to leave mama’s presence on account of continuous flow of words of inspiration from her fountain of ancient wisdom. She had been deservingly honored by various educational institutions as well as receiving numerous recognitions.
My condolence goes to Mama’s son, my leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and family, the entire Mogaji Family, the people of Lagos State and the entire market men and women in Nigeria. May divine comfort be your portion. There is no doubt that Mama lived a fulfilled life and her legacy will remain with us for a long long time to come.
May God grant her kind and gentle soul peaceful repose. (Amen).
Olorunnimbe Mamora
June 16, 2013.
