…As Sanwo-Olu Mourns
Yemisi Izuora
The Lagos State Deputy Governor-Elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has described his father, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, the Olu of Afowora Sogade, Ogun State, as a great man who committed his life to the service of the people.
Oba Hamzat died on Sunday evening.
Dr. Hamzat, who spoke immediately after the news of his father’s death was confirmed, noted that the late traditional ruler served the people of Lagos State meritoriously as a frontline politician in the progressive camp, as an elected member of the State House of Assembly in 1979 on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria and as a Commissioner.
The late Oba Hamzat before he became a king in Ogun State few years ago was a frontline politician in Lagos State from the First Republic, where he was a leading member of the Action Group, and the UPN in the Second Republic.
He was a leader in the progressive camp in Lagos with the return of democratic governance in 1999 as a member of the Alliance for Democracy and the All Progressives Congress.
Dr. Hamzat said his father was a devoted family man, a statesman, a committed man of faith who mentored generation of people in different fields of human endeavours until his death.
He said: “I thank God for a life well spent by my father.
“He was a great man who brought up his children with the time honoured values of hardwork, integrity and commitment to service.
“He impacted positively on many lives till his death.
“He played important roles in the politics of Lagos State from the days of Action Group.
“In the Second Republic he was a chieftain of Unity Party of Nigeria and was at the fore-front of progressive politics in Nigeria and Lagos in particular.
“He was called upon to be the king of his community in Ogun State much later in his life. He served the community well. His reign brought development and progress. We will miss him and his father figure role.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor-Elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sent his condolences to his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and the entire family of the late politician, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat who until his passing was the traditional ruler of Afowora Sogade in Ogun State.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Gboyega Akosile recalled the service of the late monarch to the people of Lagos where he was a frontline politician and lived most of his adult life adding that Oba Hamzat lived a life worthy of emulation and urged the present generation of leaders to make service to the people which the late Politician and Monarch lived for, the cornerstone of public service.
“While I extend my condolences to my brother, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and the entire family, I must implore them to be comforted with the worthy life of our father and leader, Oba Olatunji Hamzat. He was a political leader of immense stature in Lagos and he played politics of service to the people as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1979 and as a Commissioner.
“He was a leader of men and women who came under his political tutelage in Lagos. He was for the progressive ideals and stood firmly for the welfare of the people as against that of selfish and personal aggrandizement. He was also a decent man who raised quality children and mentored a lot of young people. It is very sad that he had to go at a time like this when his wise counsel will be most needed. We are inspired by his example of selfless service to Lagos to continue to work to impact positively on the lives of Lagosians.