•This is difficult period for all of us in Lagos, says Gov
•I hold Governor in high esteem – Speaker
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, paid condolence visit to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, over the death of his beloved father, Alhaji Sulaiman Obasa.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. (Mrs) Abimbola Salu-Hudeyin; Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro; Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; and other members of the State Executive Council.
Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet members, during the visit to Obasa’s residence in the Agege area of Lagos, presented a condolence letter to the Speaker and his family on behalf of the Lagos State Government.
Alhaji Sulaiman Obasa, a businessman with an interest in transportation, oil and gas, died early Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the age of 83 and was laid to rest that day according to Islamic rites.
Speaking during the condolence visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “We are here to commiserate with you (Obasa) on behalf of the cabinet and the entire people of Lagos State.
“This period has been difficult for all of us in Lagos State in one form or another.
“Losing one’s parent is a very difficult experience, but we are consoled by the fact that Alhaji Sulaiman Obasa lived a fulfilled life and brought forth good children who are carrying on his legacy.
“I pray that God will be with you and the entire Obasa family. God will uphold us, and everything we are doing will be to the benefit of Lagos State and the residents of the State.”
Responding to the gesture by Governor Sanwo-Olu and the State Executive Council, Obasa commended the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Lagos State.
The Speaker also used the medium to debunk the insinuation in some quarters that he is not on good terms with Governor Sanwo-Olu. He said both of them are “siblings from the same father” who have the same purpose, intention, and mission, which is to serve the people of Lagos State.
“I hold him (Governor) in high esteem and respect him. I don’t have any issues with the Governor. Some people said I was fighting with the Governor, but there is nothing the Governor brought to me that I rejected. There is nothing that he will ask me to do that I will not do because we are siblings from the same father.
“There is no way brothers will fight, and the father will be looking at them fighting. We have the same purpose, intention, and mission, which is to serve the people of Lagos.
“Mr. Governor, you are my brother anytime, any day. Any time you call, I will be there with my colleagues. I thank God for you because whatever we do in the House of Assembly is because you are supporting me. If you don’t support me, there is no way I will get the attention, love, support, and cooperation of the other 39 members.
“As a Speaker, I am just first among equals; we are all the same in the House of Assembly. It is because of your understanding and cooperation that we have a team in the House of Assembly, and the team is working for you.” Obasa assured Governor Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa also charged public office holders to be accountable to the public.
He said, “There is no amount of money that you have acquired that will sustain you. The only thing that will remain is what you have done for your community. Our purpose and intention are to leave a good legacy. So, when we raise our voice, it is because we think we have not done something that we are supposed to do.
“We shouldn’t be selfish and particular about ourselves but about the public because there will come a time when we will leave the office and people will make reference to what we have done and our achievements in office.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu presented a condolence letter, which he personally signed on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State to the Speaker.
