Groups condole with Otedola family, FCT minister

The Eko Club of Lagos has commiserated with the family of a former Governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola, who died on Monday.

The club also commiserated with the Lagos State Government over the loss of the former governor who piloted the affairs of the state between 1992 and 1993.

The Club's President, Mr. Babatunde Grillo, in a letter to Otedola's wife, Doja Otedola, and son, Mr. Femi Otedola, said the former governor was a patron of the club by virtue of being a one-time governor of Lagos.

Grillo said, "Sir Michael Otedola was an elder statesman and a philanthropist who served Lagos State meritoriously. We pray to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss."

In a related development, the Northern States Governors Forum has commiserated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, described the death of Hajiya Aisha as a big loss to Mohammed and the entire people of FCT, especially when it  came at a critical period when her parental support was needed to help resolve the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.

A statement by Aliyu's spokesman, Danladi Ndayebo, urged the FCT minister to be consoled by the fact that "it is only God that gives and takes life whenever He pleases."

The forum advised the minister not to be discouraged by his mother's death, but should continue to administer the FCT in the excellent manner he had been doing.

The statement read in part, "The best tribute Senator Bala can pay to his late mother is to continue to touch the lives of people living in the FCT positively like he has been doing since he became minister. May God grant the deceased Aljannah Firdaus and members of his family and the entire people of FCT the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss."