The Vault and Gardens Cementery, Ikoyi witnessed unprecedented crowd of dignitaries as Alhaji Ademola Fashola, the father of the Governor of Lagos State remains was laid to rest this afternoon. Pa Fashola died on Monday at the age of 80 after a protracted illness.
His corpse arrived at his residence from the mortuary in black Merceses Benz SUV at about 11:55am while a lying in state was later held in his honour at SurulereSeniorSecondary School.
Prayers were offered for the repose of his soul at the Lagos Central Mosque, LagosIsland before he was taken to the Vaults and Gardens for burial.
At the grave side, the Muslim clerics offered prayers for Pa Fashola’s repose and prayed God to grant him eternal rest before he was lowered to the grave in the presence of the governor, Babatunde Fashola and other siblings.
Also earlier in the day, the remains of Pa Fashola laid in state at his residence at Ladipo Labinjo Street, Surulere where sympathisers paid their last respects.
Dignitaries that who were at his residence include: Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Rasak Okoya, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, Subomi Balogun, Surulere Council boss, Tajudeen Ajide, Kayode Opeifa, Joe Igbokwe, Onigbongbo LCDA boss, Babatunde Oke, representatives of Arewa and Ndigbo, Service Chiefs, Commissioners among others
Members of Eko Club who were present at the lying in state, described him as a good fellow and prayed that almighty Allah grant him aljannat firdaus.
Tributes from Nigerians have continued to pour in for the late Pa Fashola. In his tribute, constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, and several Nigerians joined others in mouring the deceased.
Sagay described the news of Fashola’s father’s death as devastating and commiserated with Governor Babatunde Fashola over the loss.
According to him, “the death of Fashola’s father is emotionally devastating. It is shocking. People will say he died as an old man, but to the immediate family, no one is ever old, they still want him around. I will personally write to the governor to commiserate with him.”
Meanwhile, Sir Victor Olaiya, a high life maestro and childhood friend of the late Pa Ademola Fashola, on Monday said he would miss the deceased a lot.
Olaiya, who was among the early callers at the residence of the deceased, told newsmen that he was humorous and loved to make people happy.
“I will miss his jokes and his smile. We were together many years ago when he was at Daily Times. He was nice, humble and kind and it would be difficult not to miss somebody like that,” the music legend said.
