Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State says the only time he ever saw his late father, Pa Ademola Fashola, weep was on his sick bed two months ago.
Fashola, in his tribute to his father published in the programme booklet of the 8th Day Fidau (Muslim prayers) for his father at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS,
Lagos, southwest Nigeria on Tuesday, said he had never seen his father cry all his life except that day on his sick bed.
“In my whole life, I saw him weep only once. The date was 14 June, 2013 on his sick bed; and even then, the tears were tears of joy. In a fleeting moment when many people in his hospital room were not attentive, he broke our tradition of communication and whispered to me.
“He said: ‘Even though you are my own, I am happy that you have done well.’ This is the only time he ever expressed vocally even though his eyes always said it for him. My own eyes filled with tears; tears of joy for him, that after all the tribulation, he felt fulfilled,” Fashola said.
Fashola added that his father travelled to every continent on the planet and that he loved the cinema and the movies with a passion, saying that he never remembered any subject his father did not have some knowledge about.
Meanwhile, former Head of State, Major General Muhammadul Buhari (retd), Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and ten governors were among the myriad of dignitaries that graced the 8th Day Fidau for Pa Fashola.
Thousands of Lagosians had thronged the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, venue of the prayers to honour Pa Fashola, who died on 5 August, 2013 at the age of 80.
Most of the guests were decked in red and yellow head gears and caps while security was beefed up at the venue because of the dignitaries present at the occasion.
Members of the diplomatic corps, members of the national and state assembly, members of the Lagos State Executive Council and several others also graced the occasion.
The Fidau was led by an Islamic Cleric, Alhaji Muheedeen Bello, who offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased as well as for members of the Fashola family.
Chief Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik AbdulRahman Ahmad said the death of Pa Fashola was a lesson that death remains an inevitable end that everyone must face, while urging political leaders to live an examplary life and shun all forms of corruption.
He said those who try to amass wealth for themselves would give account to God on the day of judgment.
“Often times, we forget about death and think of how to acquire properties. How foolish and unmindful have human beings become to remember the futility of life because death will come whether you are ready or not.
“There will be no SSS and dispatch rider, all the paraphernalia of office will be lost and you will be caught up in a serious traffic. Every leader will be brought in chains on the day of judgment. It is not the number of years we live that matter but how well we live; we should always live according to Allah’s wishes and impact positively on the lives others while alive,” he said.
Juju music maestro, King Sunny Ade thrilled the crowd at the TBS with his scintillating performance as guests waltz happily to the rhythm of his music.
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