The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has described the death of Alhaja Abeebat Mogaji as a big blow not only to Lagos State and market women and men all over Nigeria, but also to Delta State, which shares a close affinity with Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, son of the deceased, and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a proud daughter of Delta State.
Uduaghan recalled with nostalgia the bond that existed between the late Alhaja Mogaji and Oluremi, adding that it was not surprising that apart from her husband who gave full consent for her to run as senator, the deceased stood as an unrelenting motivator for the dream to be realised.
He said: "Alhaja Mogaji was not only an inspiration to her son, former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but also to our daughter, Oluremi, with whom she shared an uncommon bond.
"She was also unrelenting in making sure that her dream of becoming a senator was realised.
"It is in this light that the loss becomes more painful not only to the Tinubu family but also to us as a state.
"Yes, we can say we lost a mother too."
In a statement by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary, the Delta State governor particularly praised the sacrifice and championing role of the late Mogaji in giving market women and men a place of pride in the country, adding that there was no doubt that until her death, she remained the face and hope of millions of traders all over Nigeria.
He said: "Many people had no regard for market women.
"So many saw them as poor and unintelligent.
"But mama changed that perception with her struggle and perseverance.
"And until her death, she was the face and hope of many women.
"Today, no politician or government official can discountenance the counsel of traders and hope to succeed.
"This is why mama will be greatly missed."
Uduaghan prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and God’s fortitude on everyone affected by the irreplaceable loss.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed utter shock at the death of Alhaja Mogaji.
In a statement of sympathy to Tinubu, the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, the former vice president said the death of a mother was one of the saddest events in the life of children.
As a care-giver, protector and character moulder, Abubakar said a mother’s place in the lives of her children could not be compared to anything else.
According to him, one of the greatest prides of a mother is to see her children grow up as responsible adults that realized their dreams or aspirations.
He said the late Mogaji’s pride was to leave behind children that were determined to make their marks in life.
The Turakin Adamawa added that as a pillar of family love, the late Mogaji’s children had a duty to keep her virtues alive and to immortalize her.
The former vice president noted that the "loss of a mother that made sacrifices to make us happy was an experience words could not adequately describe."
While praying Allah to grant the deceased eternal bliss in aljanna (paradise), the former vice president urged Tinubu and his siblings to always remain the living symbols of her virtues of love and family unity.
A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has commiserated Tinubu over the death of Mogaji.
Kalu urged Tinubu to be consoled by the fact that not only did Alhaja Mogaji live up to the ripe age of 95 but equally the impact of her life on a lot of Nigerians.
He said that Alhaja Mogaji was not just an extraordinary philanthropist but also had huge impact as the President General of Nigerian Market Women and Men.
He said: "She is an extraordinary Nigerian and it is obvious that losing such a great influence, no matter the age, will be painful.
"Asiwaju, you should, however, be consoled by the fact that Mama lived a great life and ran her journey well."
The leadership and members of the Peoples Democratic Party have also commiserated with Tinubu and the entire Tinubu family over the glorious passage of their matriach.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said: "Though the exit at a ripe age of 96 is indeed a glorious one, it has nonetheless created a huge vacuum in the nation, Lagos State and the family in particular and we deeply share in the loss.
"A devout muslim, Alhaja Abibatu led an active life worthy of emulation in many ways.
"She remained a shining example of a mother and a leader whose inner strength, candour and forthrightness served as fountains of tutelage and inspiration to millions across the country.
"As the President General of Lagos Market Men and Women Association, Alhaja Abibatu, showed extra-ordinary organizational skills and influence in the areas of politics and commerce not only in Lagos State but across the country.
"Her contributions in defending the rights of the people, especially the less privilege and the down-trodden and ensuring their economic empowerments irrespective of tribal and religious affiliations remain as testimonials to her kindness and selfless service to humanity.
"Indeed, we take solace in the fact that Alhaji Abibatu led a fulfilled life and has gone to be with the Almighty Allah.
"We therefore pray God to give all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss."
The Senate President, Senator David Mark, has sent a message of condolence to the family of Tinubu over the passing to glory of their matriarch.
In the condolence message to the government and people of Lagos State, Senator Mark described the late Mogaji as an ideal mother who contributed her quota to the peace and development of the society .
Mark noted that the late Mogaji was a great business woman and leader whose philanthropic gesture cut across ethnic and religious boundaries.
He added that the late Mogaji would be remembered for her industry and leadership qualities.
A former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has commiserated with Tinubu over the death of his mother.
Reacting to Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji’s death through his Chief Press Secretary, Lere Olayinka, the former governor said: "Alhaja Mogaji will be sorely missed as a renowned market leader, who nurtured many entrepreneurs to maturity and financial independence.
"Though Mama died at 96, her death cannot but be a great loss to Senator Tinubu, the Mogaji’s family and the entire world."
Oni implored the family and the entire market men and women in Nigeria to take solace in the fact that she discharged her duties, by playing pivotal roles in the development of commerce in Nigeria.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commiserated with Tinubu also.
In a condolence message signed by Peter Okhiria, his Chief Press Secretary, Comrade Oshiomhole said: "I commiserate with you, my leader, and indeed with the entire Tinubu family, on the passing of your beloved mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji. I wish to offer the condolence of the people and government of Edo State and my personal commiseration over this loss.
"Our thoughts are with you and the rest of the family at this difficult period. With her demise, the nation has lost a senior citizen who contributed her quota to the growth of the nation. Mama was a model mother, industrious woman and philanthropist who brought up her children with the fear of God.
"I have no doubt that you will miss her very much, my leader, as she was no doubt the pillar of the Tinubu family.
"I also commiserate with the Government and people of Lagos State on this sad loss.
"While we mourn Mama, we must find some comfort in the fact that she lived to a ripe old age, seeing her children rise to prominence in the society. We are also proud of her achievements, the good that she had done and the respect she enjoyed beyond the family which earned her the worthy title of President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men.
"We join Your Excellency to offer prayers for the repose of her soul and for our Heavenly Father to grant her eternal rest. We also pray to God to strengthen you and the entire family with the fortitude to bear the loss."
The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has lamented the death of Mogaji.
Ajimobi said her death had robbed the nation of one of the greatest commercial and political matriarchs left in the country.
He made this known through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo.
Ajimobi traced the late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji’s involvement in politics from her days as a member of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group and the Unity Party of Nigeria, stating that her footprints on the political terrain, especially in the mobilization of the womenfolk, for political and development purposes can never be wished away.
The governor praised Alhaja Mogaji’s involvement in commerce as well and the role she played as the President General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, an association with which she fought for the rights of market men and women.
Ajimobi said he thanked God that the matriarch of the Tinubu family lived a fulfilled life and prayed that God would grant her soul blissful repose.
The Northern States Governors Forum in a statement on Sunday described Mogaji’s death as a big loss.
Its Chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said the deceased would be missed by members of her family, the people of Lagos State and indeed, all Nigerians.
Aliyu described the late Iyaloja of Lagos as a towering business and women’s rights figure who, not only brought tremendous change to the business and political landscape of Lagos, but to Nigeria and beyond.
He said the great values she left behind would serve as a guiding light not only to the people of Lagos but to the entire nation.
Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, also condoled with Tinubu, describing his mother’s death as sad and unfortunate.
Ikuforiji said though she died at a ripe age of 96, he wished she were still alive to impart her rich words of wisdom.
He said: "How I wish mama is still alive with us for some more years, so that we can keep drinking from her rich reservoir of wisdom, love and care.
"How I wish Mama could still be with us when our new mega party the All Progressives Congress debuts shortly.
"Considering Mama’s highly memorable life, she will be remembered as one of Nigeria’s greatest defenders of the rights of women, children and the poor.
"There is no denying the fact that our dear Mama lived all her life to fight for the rights of the womenfolk, their children, and the poor: A giver of no mean status."
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State also joined several well-wishers to commiserate with Tinubu over the death of his mother.
Shettima, on Sunday described Abibatu, as a great loss to Nigeria, adding: "Nigeria has lost a progressive, a woman with distinction in mobilising citizens for a good course.
"In my days as a banker, with our headquarters in Lagos and as a postgraduate student in University of Ibadan, whose transit point was usually Lagos, I had the privilege of knowing her.
"She was an activist who struggled for the rights of common people, including millions of traders she led; she was a progressive who contributed immensely to the political liberty of Lagos and by extension the southwest.
"She helped in the advancement of democracy as a key player, not a passive beneficiary; she lived and died amongst her people when she could have chosen to relocate abroad.
"I empathise with Nigerian market communities."
Trending
- NIPPS Alumni to EFCC Chairman: You’re not alone
- Ebonyi pledges to sustain achievements as USAID BA-N scales back health support
- Confederation Cup: Rivers United host defending champions + All CC, CL fixtures
- Top five shows to binge on GOtv Stream catchUp this Easter holiday
- UTME: Candidates will now be held responsible if parents disrupt exam process – Prof. Oloyede
- FG restates commitment to press freedom, demands responsibility
- I’m not moved by cyberbullying — Alex Iwobi
- ICAN gives support to Senate probe of CBN’s Ways and Means