Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Rauf Aregbesola of Lagos and Osun states respectively on Thursday expressed great shock over the passage of foremost industrialist and economist, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.
Gbadamosi, a co-chairman of the Lagos @ 50 Committee, died on Wednesday at the age of 72.
Ambode, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, said he was truly saddened by the demise of the former minister for national planning, describing him as a true Lagosian, who was passionate and always willing to serve his state and fatherland.
“As a foundation member of the first Lagos State Executive Council after the creation of the state in 1967, he contributed immensely towards laying a very solid foundation for what is today the foremost state in the country and the nation’s unarguably Centre of Excellence. He also distinguished himself as a federal minister and PPPRA chairman.
“Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was a sound economist, one of the best in his generation. His passion to serve his fatherland was never in doubt, so it was not surprising to me that he graciously accepted to serve as co-Chairman of our Lagos @ 50 Committee and in the last few months, he was directly involved in the meetings and planning to ensure the success of the celebration.
“He was the youngest commissioner in Lagos State at 27, an industrialist and a very consistent financial expert. He was a proud son of Lagos State who had paid his dues over the decade. A financial guru and a public administrator per excellence, who would never shy away from letting people know that he was a thoroughbred Lagos boy, born in Ikorodu,” the governor said.
Ambode, while commiserating with the family of the late economist and art enthusiast, urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and continued to render meritorious service to the state until his demise.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Chief Gbadamosi on this great and irreparable loss. He paid his dues and Lagosians will always remember him,” Governor Ambode said.
In a condolence message signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola described the death of the industrialist as the “passage of a good man.”
The governor, who prayed for the repose of Gbadamosi’s soul and extended his condolences to the immediate family, members of the business community, the people of Lagos State where he hailed from and Nigeria at large.
Aregbesola urged Ambode, members of the business and art communities to take with equanimity Gbadamosi’s death, describing it as an inevitable end for all.
Aregbesola said: “The late Gbadamosi lived his live for the good of humanity. He was a good man. He built reputation as a credible businessman and industrialist. His love for philanthropy was remarkable. He loved culture and spent his resources to promote arts. It is painful to lose this good man but one clear lesson is the transient nature of life itself.
“On behalf of the good people of Osun, it is our fervent prayer that Allah will grant him Aljanah Firdaus and give the people of Lagos State the fortitude to bear the loss.”
