More people and organisations have continued to condole with Sen. Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the ACN over the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.
The Northern States Governors Forum in a statement, described Abibatu’s death as a big loss.
Its Chairman, Gov Babangida Aliyu of Niger said the deceased would be missed by members of her family, the people of Lagos State, and indeed, all Nigerians.
Aliyu described the late Iyaloja of Lagos as a towering business and women’s rights figure who, not only brought tremendous change to the business and political landscape of Lagos, but to Nigeria and beyond.
He said the great values she left behind would serve as a guiding light not only to the people of Lagos but to the entire nation.
Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly also condoled with Tinubu, describing his mother’s death as sad and unfortunate.
Ikuforiji said though she died at a ripe age of 96, he wished she were still alive to impart her rich words of wisdom.
“How I wish mama is still alive with us for some more years, so that we can keep drinking from her rich reservoir of wisdom, love and care.
“How I wish Mama could still be with us when our new mega party the All Progressives Congress, APC debuts shortly.
“Considering Mama’s highly memorable life, she will be remembered as one of Nigeria’s greatest defenders of the rights of women, children and the poor.
“There is no denying the fact that our dear Mama lived all her life to fight for the rights of the womenfolk, their children, and the poor: A giver of no mean status,’’ he said.
In the same vein, ACN, Oyo State Chapter, has described the death of Abibatu as a great loss to the nation.
The party in statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Dauda Kolawole, on Sunday in Ibadan said shen would be missed for her immense contributions to the society.
In his condolence message, Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, described late Abibatu as an irreplaceable jewel that would be missed by all.
Lanlehin, in a statement, issued by his media aide, Mr Olawale Sadare on Sunday in Ibadan, said the demise of Abibatu had created a huge vacuum in the Nigerian society.
“The news of the death of Abibatu came to me as a shock and disbelief. It is least expected that such a wonderful, virtuous and courageous woman could be taken away from our reach for any reason.
“As a matter of fact, most of us did forget Mama was a mortal who would cease to live on a June 15, 2013 because of the strong affection we have for her.
“In all of this, we give thanks to God for blessing our nation and the African society with such a colossus whose imprint would remain indelible on the sands of time,’’ Lanlehin said.
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno also joined several well-wishers to commiserate with Tinubu over the death of his mother.
Shettima, on Sunday described Abibatu, as a great loss to Nigeria, adding: “Nigeria has lost a progressive, a woman with distinction in mobilising citizens for a good course.
“In my days as a banker, with our headquarters in Lagos and as a postgraduate student in University of Ibadan, whose transit point was usually Lagos, I had the privilege of knowing her.
“She was an activist who struggled for the rights of common people, including millions of traders she led; she was a progressive who contributed immensely to the political liberty of Lagos and by extension the southwest.
“She helped in the advancement of democracy as a key player, not a passive beneficiary; she lived and died amongst her people when she could have chosen to relocate abroad.
“I empathise with Nigerian market communities,’’ he said.’
