IBB, Abdulsalami visit Fashola, urge peaceful coexistence

Former heads of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami, have paid a condolence visit to the Lagos State governor BabatundeFashola over the demise of his father, Pa Ibrahim AdemolaFashola.

They meet Fashola at the Lagos House, Marina, during which they emphasized the need for peace in Nigeria.

Abdulsalami commended the governor for transforming the state, saying he is building not only for thestate but the entire country.

He prayed that as the governor leaves his present office he would assume greater responsibility in the country.

Babangida prayed God to give the governor's immediate family the courage to bear the irreparable loss, adding that 'it is gratifying that Papa left behind an important gift in Governor Raji Fashola'.

He said, 'In Islam, we do pray for long life but long life does not mean living for 100 years or 500 years. We are gratified that Papa left one important gift that is Governor Raji Fashola. So, we are grateful that God has spared his life to see a governor that everybody respects in this country and I also pray that one of your children will also take the footsteps you have taken after Papa'.

In his response, Governor Fashola thanked the leaders for the visit, saying that their presence has not only brought honour to his late father, but his family and prayed that 'honour will never depart from your households'.

Fashola also lent his voice to the appeal for peace in the country by both leaders, saying he is doing so because his late father was a man of peace, 'Nothing for him was forever worth any conflict, if things became too difficult, he simply moved on.'