Lagos State House of Assembly Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. (Prince) Adedamola Richard Kasunmu(ARK) has called on Lagos State Government to immortalize the Late mother of President Tinubu, Alhaji (Dr) Abibatu Mogaji.
The ranking lawmaker made the call at the second the annual Ramadan Lecture organized in honour of the late matriarch yesterday 4th April 2024 in Lagos.
Speaking exclusively to newsmen at the event, Hon.(Prince) Adedamola Richard Kasunmu (ARK), who is also a grandson of the late Alhaja Mogaji and the Convener of the Lecture, extolled the virtues of the late market icon, stating that Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji’s contributions to the development of Lagos State and it’s people can never be over emphasized.
According Hon. Kasunmu “My grandmother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji lived a life of selflessness and sacrifice. She lived all her life in the service of people. She was a people’s person.
Apart from being a consistent political icon in the progressives camp and an ardent follower of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo right from her days as a young woman in the early 50s, Mama was major force and a leading voice in the struggle and advocacy for women and youth emancipation, good governance and a better, prosperous society. She was a democrat par excellence.
The current organized market structure in Lagos and by extension, in Nigeria was her brainchild and creation.
In her capacity as a Market leader, she organized the women of Lagos and empowered millions of people by lifting them out of poverty. She was a detribalised Nigerian. She never discriminated against anyone on the basis of tribe or religion. She represented the ideals and the finest of Lagos.
I am therefore using this opportunity to call on the government of Lagos State to officially immortalize the name of Alhaja (Dr.) Abibatu Mogaji in the state. She deserves it.
This can be done by erecting a giant statue of her in major location on Lagos Island which was her place of birth or by naming a landmark monument after her in a choice part of Lagos. This will not only recognize her efforts, it will also encourage young women of Nigeria to emulate her lifestyle. May her soul rest in peace”
Speaking further,
Hon. Kasunmu thanked family members and associates of Mama who have been upholding her legacies since her demise about 11 years ago.
The ranking lawmaker went further to pay glowing tributes to his uncle, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fulfilling Mama’s lifelong aspirations and for leading Nigeria well so far.
He also seized the opportunity to call for collaboration and support from government and well-meaning individuals to assist in expanding the scope of the annual lecture in order to make future editions more elaborate and far-reaching.
The theme of the lecture was; “Rebuilding Nigeria ‘s hope on solid, secure and economic growth – Islamic perspective”
Speaking on the topic, the Chief Imam of Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Imam Hakeem Kosoko, who was the
Guest Lecturer of the programme, laid emphasis on the need for the Government to look into how best to enhance and boost small scale businesses in the country if the fight against poverty must be won. He also counsel market women, traders and businesses to desist from arbitrary price increment, wondering why the prices of items like pepper that has nothing to do with Dollars-to-Naira rate, refused to come down, even when Government has successfully brought the price of Dollar down. He commended the President and Hon. Kasunmu for sustaining their matriarch, Alhaja Mogaji’s good deeds.
Alhaja Muri-Okunola spoke in defence of market women on arbitrary price increments.
In his submission, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Alhaji Mobolaji Ogunlende, who represented the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Kadiri at the lecture, counselled the youth to cultivate the habit of hardwork, diligence and resilience. He also commended Hon. Kasunmu and urged the youth to emulate him by giving honour and respect to parents and the elderly in the society.
Principal Private Secretary to the President, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola Okunola was the Special Guest of Honour. He was however represented by the General Manager, Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola.who delivered his good will message and commended the convener, Hon. Kasunmu for honouring his grandmother with such a spiritual programme in the holy month of Ramadan.
The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was represented by
Former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho.
In her remarks, Hon. Tejuoso described Mama Mogaji as a mother of all and mother for all, who fought for women, men and a better society during her lifetime. Tejuosho also commended Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his giant strides in that last 10 months. She implored the youth to always shun violence and the vices of social media. She further advised gathering to desist from cursing Nigeria and its leaders, affirming that Nigeria is certainly on the path to greatness under President Tinubu. She also commended Hon. Kasunmu for his vision and thoughtfulness.
Chief hostess of the event, Princess Adebowale Odutola, who is also the younger sister of the President, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of President Tinubu and Mogaji/Tinubu families.
She expressed appreciation to all Islamic Clerics who officiated at the lecture and thanked all Market women, and men, as well as various associations and groups present.
Earlier during the lecture, the Moderator of the programme, Imam Ibrahim Olohungbebe, Imam Akilapa and other notable clerics had offered prayers for President Tinubu, Hon. Kasunmu, Nigeria, Lagos State, Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as the late Alhaja Mogaji, Hon. Kasunmu’s late mother, Chief (Mrs) Arafat Abiodun Kasunmu, late Mrs Modupe, late Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson and others.
The father of the day, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, who is the Olori-Ebi of the Mogaji family was ably represented by his daughter, Mrs Bolanle Khadijat Okunnu-Lamidi.
The event was anchored by the duo of Sikiru Alimi of MITV and Adeola Orisile of Eko FM.
Various personalities from Hon. Kasunmu’s political constituency, Ikeja Constituency 2, such as the Iyaloja-General of Ojodu LCDA, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Salako ( a.k.a Lady K) and her husband; Iyaloja-General of Ikeja LGA,
Alhaja Adiat Apena; Ikeja LGA SLG, Comrade Akeem Dauda; Alhaji Kaleen Osiberu; Ojodu and Ikeja APC women Leaders and many other personalities.
Other roll calls of guests at the event include Hon. Bola Aileru ( VC Yaba Lcda), Alhaja Ramdat Muri-Okunola; Alhaja Wonu Folami; Alhaja Kubarat Badmus; Alhaja Borokoni; Alhaja Iya Eleko; Former female 2023 Presidential aspirant, Bolanle Khadijat Okunnu-Lamidi; Mrs Jibike Babatunde, who represented the.family of late Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson and many other important personalities.
