Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, led other eminent Lagosians in a fidau (prayer) of 10th remembrance anniversary of President Bola Tinubu”s mother.
Other dignitaries personalities at the event, which took place on Thursday in Lagos, were former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General (rtd) Tukur Buratai, wives of the state Governor, Dr Ibijoke, Deputy Governor, Oluremi and Speaker, Falilat, members of the Lagos Assembly, clerics from Muslim and Christian faiths, political leaders, market men and women, among others.
The prayers for the late matriarch were led by former Chief Missioner of NASFT, Sheikh Abdullahi Akinbode.
In his short address, Sanwo-Olu said: “On behalf of the President Bola Tinubu and the Mogaji family, I express appreciation to all those who graced this event, which is the remembrance of our mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.
“Nobody knows that the prayers we have been supplicating for our father, President Tinubu, will come to pass 10 years after the death of Mama. Our mother did great things because of her righteousness. She was a woman of many parts.”
According to Sanwo-Olu: “Asiwaju sends greetings to you all. Indeed, prayers of the faithful will surely be answered. It may not come to pass within one or two years but it will come to pass. We appreciate what Mama has been able to do during her lifetime and what she left behind.”
The governor said that as the prayers were being made in Lagos, similar prayers would also be done in Abuja National Central Mosque, adding: “We believe Mr President will represent the family well.”
The Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen Islamic Society, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, in his sermon, said the late matriarch stood out because of her righteousness.
The Muslim cleric, therefore, enjoined participants to emulate good conduct of the late Magaji, noting that tomorrow would beckon on everyone.
The cleric said: “Alhaja was great in her own right, we are saying this not because she is mother to the President but because she was a woman who stood tall.”
He added: “Allah calls you and I in the Quran: Be cautious of Allah and take stocks of what we are preparing for tomorrow. I’m talking of tomorrow, not Friday; tomorrow that is a leveler; tomorrow that will make you powerless. How best do you prepare for this tomorrow? It is good deeds, impacting the lives of the people.
“Yesterday, some were in power but today they are cooling their feet where they don’t want. What are you preparing for tomorrow when you are no longer in power? You will account for everything you have done,” Ahmad stated.
Speaking in a similar vein, a popular preacher, Sheikh Muhyideen Bello, enjoined the audience to be watchful of their deeds if they hoped for a better tomorrow.
“Whatever position you occupy, you must do good because it has repercussions,” the Imam cautioned.
