Market women, politicians, others gather in Lagos for Mogaji’s one year Fidau prayers

Market women, politicians and well wishers on Sunday gathered at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos for the one year Fidau prayers of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.
Mogaji, who was Iyaloja of Lagos and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, died on June 15, 2013, at the age of 96.
In a sermon at the event, Imam Al-Shakirudeen Abdul-Gafar, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Islam, said that the late Mogaji was very prayerful during her lifetime.
Abdul-Gafar said that death was a debt that everyone had to pay and enjoined all present to live good lives while on earth.
He said: “What are you going to achieve for those number of years that you have sojourned on the surface of this earth, because two days are very important in the life of man.
“The day when man came into this world crying and the day when man shall return to his Creator.
“It is now very important for you to live a kind of life that would give you an opportunity to be laughing wherever you are going.”
The cleric said that the late Iyaloja-General lived a life that was worth emulating.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, said he missed his mother dearly.
Tinubu said: “I thank all of you who have come for this prayer; all of you market women.
“I know I miss my mum dearly, but you’re there for us, you would continue to be there, your children would achieve greatness too.”
Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja of Lagos, said: “What mama has taught me in the past has been very helpful – being accommodating and giving your shoulder out for people when necessary.
“Also, giving the less privileged opportunity that they haven’t got out there and fighting for justice, especially for those who haven’t got a voice.
“It has been very helpful and we thank God for her life and she still lives in our lives.”
Francis Abosede, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, described the late Iyaloja-General as a special woman.
Abosede said: “She was always looking for the welfare of mothers.
“She was always caring for the children of the market women.
“She was a fantastic woman.
“She lived a good life.”
Dignitaries who were present at the event included former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.
The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; former Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande; and the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, among others, were also present.