By Oluwaseyi Fadoro
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State was yesterday absent at the eight-day Fidau of Lagos deputy governor-elect’s father, Oba Olatunji Hamzat, who died at the age of 87.
Ambode, who many had expected to attend the prayer session held in Ikeja, which was attended by Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; immediate past Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.
Also at the Prayer session which was attended by wife of the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Ogun State Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
Others were wife of the Oyo State Governor, Florence Ajimobi; former Deputy Governors of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan and Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire and Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Tunji Bello and the state Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola and several dignitaries who defied the downpour experienced across the state to attend the event held in Ikeja
Speaking at the event, the bereaved family, Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, thanked the congregation for commiserating with them, describing it as show of love for his father.
He noted that they stood with him while alive and never reneged even after their father’s death, saying that his father lived a life worthy of emulation.
The Chief Missioner of Ansar Ul-Deen Society of Nigeria, Ustaz Abdulrahman Ahmad, urged the children of the deceased to remain united and emulate the virtues of their father.
Ahmad stressed that the crowd at the event further indicated that their father performed good deeds while alive, saying; you can see the number of people that gathered here today, it is a testament that he worked for humanity.