A member of the Lagos Governors’ Advisory Council, GAC, Dr. Waleeh Adeleke Ipaye, has described the death of Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat as a big loss to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Muslim community in Lagos and Nigeria.
Oba Hamzat who is the father of the Deputy Governor-Elect of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, died on Sunday.
In a statement he issued, Ipaye said the late traditional ruler was a foremost political leader, Islamic scholar, who was not only well versed in the Quran, but lived all his life as a good Muslim and worthy leader of the faith.
His words: “The death of Oba Olatunji Hamzat is not only a big loss to the Lagos political class but also the entire state because he preached peace and unity while alive. His leadership traits and enviable teaching he bestowed on his subjects will be greatly missed.
“I received the news of the death of Oba Olatunji Hamzat which occurred on Sunday in Lagos, with shock but submission to the will of Allah.
“He was a man of peace who built bridges and reached out to people within the various classes in the APC. Oba Hamzat was an honest man who built a reputation for integrity and high service. He served humanity with passion and this he demonstrated as he became a Monarch as the Olu of Afowowa Sogade. His passage is a great loss which has left a huge void that will be hard to fill.”
While praying for the repose of his soul, Ipaye urged members of the APC, various Muslim societies and his subjects in Ogun State to continue the good work Oba Hamzat started, adding “this is the only way to immortalise this pride of Lagos in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”
He added: “This is a sad moment for the surviving members of the family particularly the APC in Lagos, we are however grateful to God that he led a profoundly peaceful life. He was no doubt a reputable political leader of higher integrity who touched the lives of many younger generations positively.
“I commiserate with the government and the people of Lagos, particularly our Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Femi Hamzat, the APC and the family of Oba Hamzat. I pray that Allah will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
The late Oba Hamzat was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Commissioner for Transportation from 1979-1983.
Fidau for the repose of his soul has been fixed for Monday, May 13, 2019 at his Yaya Abatan Ogba residence in Lagos after which his remains will be buried.
