President Goodluck Jonathan today literally put political differences behind him when he led a high powered delegation consisting of key cabinet members on a condolence visit to Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola over the death of father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola.
Those who accompanied the President, a member of the People Democratic Party (PDP) on the visit to Fashola, a member of the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC), were Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, that of Petroleum, Mrs. Allison Madueke, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, that of Youths and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, and that of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga.
They were also joined by the Chairman, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engineer Olajide Adeniji and the Chief Imam of Abuja Central Mosque, Alhaji Musa Muhammed, who led the prayer session.
Consoling the governor and members of his family, President Jonathan said he was saddened by the sudden departure of pa Fashola. “When we heard about the death of the father of the Lagos state governor, Alhaji Ademola Fashola, we felt very sad because I know that this is the period that we need his presence most especially parents that will assist in handling a number of responsibilities. That was why I told my Chief of Staff that we must pay visit to the Governor of Lagos State and his wife.”
“Immediately I heard the news that your father has passed on, I called your phone and I was told that you were airborne, coming back from Saudi Arabia where you had gone for Umrah, the lesser hajj.
“It is a sad event for you to have lost your father at this point. But we must also thank God for the life that he had lived. But we were indeed happy that our father though he had left us at a very painful moment, but he has also lived a fulfilled life.
“He has lived to maturity. But most especially he has been able to replace himself tenfold before departing. You and your siblings are still with us. So many people didn’t have the opportunity of replacing themselves before departing”, the President said and prayed that the almighty Allah that brought him and took him at this time will also provide for the family and cushion the pains that his death may have caused.
“On behalf of me and the good people of Nigeria, we express our condolences to the governor of Lagos State, his wife, your siblings, government and the good people of Lagos State. I pray that God will give you the fortitude to bear the loss,” he added.
Responding on behalf of his family, Governor Fashola commended the President and his entourage for the visit.
“I want to thank the President for calling me on the day my father died. I want to also thank the President for the condolence letter he sent. And for sending the Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi, to represent you at the funeral ceremony.
“As if that wasn’t enough, you have deemed it fit to also come in person to pay a condolence visit. I understand perhaps more than many, the pressure on time and I also understand how many families suffer this kind of bereavement.
“We feel truly honoured that we are one of the few who will receive the privilege for our father, your personal presence and the member of your entourage,” the governor said.
