Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on Sunday, condoled with the Omojola family over the passage of the late co-founder and Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) Head of Secretariat, Baba Omojola, describing him as selfless, humble and committed to the defence of the masses.
Baba Omojola reportedly slumped and died in his hotel room in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Saturday while preparing to leave for Lagos after making a presentation before the Presidential Advisory Committee on the proposed National Conference.
Fielding questions from newsmen at the Surulere residence of the elder statesman after condoling with the bereaved family, Fashola, who said he was short of words to describe his feelings, noted that the human rights activist was “selfless at his own expense” in the pursuit of justice and in the quest for the enthronement of democracy.
“What more can one say about this man? He was selfless in giving of himself, humble in his aspirations, totally committed in putting himself forward in defense of the masses and the downtrodden of this nation, selfless at his own expense in the pursuit of justice, in the quest for the enthronement of democracy”, the governor declared.
He added, “I think that all I can say in summation is that those who give so much of their lives in the service of others truly immortalize themselves even when they die. So, the physical Baba Omojola is not with us anymore, but I am sure he lives because he lived and died for very good causes”.
Describing the deceased as a great man, the governor declared: “I thank God for his life. He served his nation, a family man, a patriot, somebody who clearly was dependable if he was in your corner. He had been consistent on what he believed and I hope that all of his brothers and sisters will find inspiration in the life he lived”.
Turning philosophical, Fashola counseled that while struggling for life, people should also prepare for death, adding: “Baba Omojola has reached his own destination and, therefore, from childhood to age 75, he has moved on”.
The governor prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of Baba Omojola and for God to give the family, he left behind and his very close compatriots “the fortitude to bear what would certainly be a great loss” adding, “I am inspired by the life he lived, a simple life, because all said and done, the Scriptures have said it, vanity upon vanity, all will come to naught and dust will return to dust because it is from dust we came”.
Fashola had earlier written in the condolence register opened at the residence of Omojola: “Those who spend their lives in the service of others immortalise themselves in our hearts. Baba Omojola was one of such men. Even though he is no longer with us, yet he lives. Sleep well Great Patriot. The struggle continues”.
Also present at the residence of the deceased during the visit were members of his family including his widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Yewande-Cole Ajibola Omojola, his son, Mr. Akin Omojola, PRONACO Publicity Secretary, Mr. Wale Okuniyi, former NADECO chieftain, Comrade Ayo Opadokun and Special Adviser to the Governor on Regional Integration, Reverend Tunji Adebiyi, among other family members and associates.
