The governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the assertion as he urged contemporary leaders to draw inspiration from the legacies bequeathed by the Johnson.

Sanwo-Olu extolled the leadership qualities of the late Johnson, saying the deceased, in addition to being a military officer, was a thinker who initiated ideas that set Lagos on the path of development after the state was created in 1967.

The governor spoke at the weekend at the State House in Marina while receiving a delegation sent by the Senate to formally condole Lagos government and the late Johnson’s family on his death.

The eight-member delegation led by the Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, was constituted by President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, following a motion moved by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central, informing the Upper Legislative Chamber of the death of the Lagos’ first military administrator.

Sanwo-Olu, who received the Senate delegation in company of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the late Johnson’s death was “a big loss” to Lagos and the nation, but said the state was not in a state of mourning because of the valuable legacy left behind by the deceased.

He said: “The late Brigadier Johnson was a Nigerian par excellence and a fine administrator. He created the foundation of what we now call developed Lagos. His footprints and legacy in leadership of over 50 years ago are still visible and they remain a valuable deposit of inspiration for contemporary leaders.

“We believe his death is a big loss to Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general. His death is a call for us to remember that we must use whatever position we are for the benefit of mankind.

“On behalf of the people of Lagos, I thank the President of the Ninth Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, for finding it appropriate to commiserate with the late Johnson’s family and the Government of Lagos. More importantly, we appreciate the honour accorded the deceased in the Senate.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the late Johnson had a great vision for Lagos as the first Nigerian to govern the state, emphasising that his dreams would be fully realised if the Federal Government created a “Special Status” for the State.

This, the governor said, would enable the state to adequately address its challenges as the nation’s former capital city and commercial nerve-centre.

The governor urged the Senate to activate a legislative instrument that would lead to the recognition of a Special Status for Lagos, noting that this would be the best honour for people that had governed the state, including the late Johnson.

Senator Abdullahi said members of the Senate paid glowing tributes to the late Johnson when the motion was discussed in the chamber.

He described the former military administrator as an “illustrious son of Nigeria,” noting that the late Johnson left a legacy of selflessness in leadership and service.

He said the deceased’s contribution to the nation’s development would continue to be guiding light for future generations.

The delegation agreed with the governor that Lagos deserved a Special Status going by the upsurge in population that put pressure on the state’s infrastructure.

Sen. Abdullahi promised that the delegation would brief the Senate on the governor’s request, adding that the debate would be thrown open to the entire members of the Red Chamber.

Other members of the delegation are Senator Tinubu; Sen. George Sekibo; Sen. Benjamin Nwajumogu; Sen. Hassan Hadeja; Sen. Solomon Adeola; Sen. Bulbs Amos, and Sen. Bayo Osinowo.

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Obasa made the remark on Thursday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tolani Abati, to commiserate with the Johnson family.

Mobolaji Johnson was the first military governor of Lagos State.

His words:  “I express my sincere condolences to the Johnson family on the death of their father and patriarch, Brigadier-General, Mobolaji Johnson, who died on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 after a brief illness.

“Your father was not only a gentleman and officer but trailblazer who left his footprint on the sand of time in Lagos State where he was the governor for 8 years (1967 – 1975).

“His memory no doubt will linger with us for a very long time to come , when we remember his legacies, such as Itoikin-Epe Road; Badagry Express Road;  Eko Bridge; the five Government Colleges; Oluwole Housing Estate; Ogba and many other monuments that he bequeathed to us when he was at the helm of affairs in the state.”

The Speaker urged the family to take solace in the fact that Johnson remained unblemished throughout his career in the military and as the military governor of the state.

“I pray that, God in His infinite mercy will grant him eternal rest and you the family members he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he prayed.

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Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made this known on Wednesday as he mourned Johnson who died after a brief illness.

“We must ensure that the people enjoy the dividend of democracy. Development must touch the lives of the people directly. This is the best way to immortalise the late Mobolaji Johnson because this is the virtue he lived for,’’ Sanwo-Olu stated.

Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the late Johnson as a complete gentleman and officer.

Stressing that he was a dedicated Lagosian, the governor said General Johnson contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State in particular and the nation in general.

Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled General Johnson’s time as the first Military Governor of Lagos State from May 1967 to July 1975, brought visible infrastructural development to the state.

He said: ‘‘Although General Mobolaji Johnson has gone to be with his Lord and Creator, the memories of great accomplishments he left behind will linger on forever. One remembers how the late General Johnson’s administration worked with other seasoned professionals to establish five Government Colleges and Housing Estates, which were commissioned by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, within one year of his administration. This, to me, is the hallmark of service and has remained a benchmark for successive administrations in the state.’’

Sanwo-Olu, who described the late Gen Johnson as a man of vision with a mission to see a modern Lagos evolve, noted that the vision had started to manifest in what “we see today as every successive administration strives to build on the developmental structure and foundation of good governance laid by late General Johnson.”

The governor reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise the deceased was to ensure that good governance spreads to every facet of the society.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of late Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson.’’

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He died on Wednesday at the age of 83.

His death was confirmed by his son, Deji.

Johnson was born on February 9, 1936 to the family of Joshua Motola Johnson and his wife, Gbemisola Johnson (née Dudley-Coker), his father was of Egba heritage and was a member of the Royal West African Frontier Force during World War II.

His grandfather’s last name was previously Osholero but he changed it to Johnson after the priest who converted him to Christianity.

The Johnson family moved to Lagos during the early parts of the twentieth century.

Johnson had five other siblings including his brother, Femi Johnson, founder of Femi Johnson and Company of Ibadan.

Mobolaji Johnson started his education at Reagan Memorial Baptist School, Yaba, Methodist School in 1941.

He then attended Hussey College, Warri, 1954.

In 1955, he moved to Methodist Boys High School Lagos, the school his father attended, where he finished his secondary education in 1957.

While in MBHS, Lagos, Mobolaji was a good all-round sports man.

In 1959 Mobolaji attended the Officer Cadet Training School in Ghana.

Mobolaji Johnson also attended the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, between 1960-1961.

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