Jonathan, govs, others pay last respect as Pa Fashola is laid to rest

Commercial and vehicular activities were Tuesday, temporarily, brought to a halt as prominent Nigerians led by President Goodluck Jonathan stormed Lagos for the burial of Pa Ademola Fashola, father of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The remains of Pa Fashola was interred at about 3.45pm after the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Alhaji Garuba Akinola, led the prayers at the Lagos Central Mosque and at the burial ground, the Vaults and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi, at about 3.45pm.

Governor Fashola, after the interment, in a solemn voice,  described his late father as a father of all as he did not discriminate among different shades of people he came across with.

He said; 'As for my father, I think that for all of us his children, he was first and foremost our friend, he was our best friend, so that is what we will miss really. Our father was a very loving friend who allowed us to be the best that we could, he allowed us to be what we want to be, guiding and nudging, but never discriminated and that's why he had children that were Christians, Muslims, children who were Europeans, children who are married across Nigeria.

'I think these have fully captured his life. I doubt that if there is any person who did not have enemies, it must be my father because he just got on with life. He didn't discriminate in any position he found himself; good, comfortable, painful, he just got on, I learnt so many things from him and most of these things is who I am today and who I try to be and I hope that I can be as rounded in integrity, humble in his attitude to life and fully committed in all situations as he was. He died in the month of Ramadan, he died on the night of Majesty', the governor stated.

Roll call:
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state. Others were Aig Imhokuede, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President Dangote Group of Companies; former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke; Justice George Oguntade (rtd); Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher Vanguard Media; General Manager Publication vanguard Media Limited, Mr Gbenga Adefaye; Ricky TarFa, SAN; Senator Biyi Durojaiyeo and Earnest Shonekan, former head interim Government; among others.