Ex-minister, Rasheed Gbadamosi goes home

The remains of former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was on Thursday buried at his house in Ikorodu, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria amidst eulogies.

Gbadamosi died on Wednesday at the age of 72.

Several politicians, captain of industries and others thronged his home to eulogise him for his contribution to the development of the country.

Members of his Eyo Orisa Aagere, which he was their chairman were at the burial to entertain the guest who thronged his Ikorodu home to pay him their last respect.

His remains was wrapped in white cloth as the Muslim rites demands and buried before 4 pm.

Gbadamosi’s daughter, Mrs. Kunbi Oshinoiki said his father was ill before he died, saying that she was hoping that he would recover from his brief ailment, but that unfortunately, he did not make it.

“He would have been 73-year-old next month. And we are sad that he didn’t make it to that date. But we will take solace in the fact that he was a loving father who died serving his country. With his strength of analysis, he would have been able to contribute his quota to addressing certain issues affecting the country. He was passionate about the country and every citizen. He never engaged in politics and that helped him to serve perfectly,” she said.

His son, Sharif Gbadamosi said he was yet to come to term with the death of his father.

“Words cannot describe how I will miss my father. It is still a dream to me. I don’t know, maybe I will wake up from it tomorrow. I am yet to come to term with his demise. I know that he will rest with the great that had gone before him,” he said.

One of the mourners is former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. Osoba urged the youths to read his biography and emulate him.

“We grew up together and we were classmate at the Methodist Boys High school, Lagos. And we have been together for over 60 years. He was the youngest in our class and often known for creating records. He was one of the brightest among us. He was an art collector and had deep interest in music and was committed to whatever he believed in,” he said.

Also, former Minister of Defence, Musliu Obanikoro, who was at the burial eulogised the late minister, saying that the intervention he made in his life was unquantifiable.

“He mentored me in my ways. He was exceptional in everything. He was passionate about community development. He often interacted with downtrodden member of the society. Sometimes when we saw him mingling with these people, one would be amazed with his attitude to life,” he said.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Samuel Ojo, said he remembered that few weeks ago, he and Prof. Wole Soyinka presented the progress made on the Lagos at 50 to the state executive council.

“And from there, we realized how he had been committed to the vision even when the government hasn’t disclosed how much would be spent on the Lagos at 50th anniversary; he had been spending his money and deployed his staff to whatever concerns the committee. He was so committed,” he added.

-Kazeem Ugbodaga