President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has said that the man he claimed brought him into politics is dead.
- This was disclosed in a glowing tribute he signed personally shared to the media by the Presidency on Friday.
In the tribute titled: “Goodnight, Alhaji Kola Oseni, goodnight, my brother,” the President stated that he received news of the death of Alhaji Kola Oseni with a heavy heart and deep sadness. Adding that the memories of the time they shared and the legacy he left will endure.
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I received the news of Alhaji Kola Oseni’s passing. Though he is no longer with us, the memories of the time we shared and the legacy he left will endure,” the President mourned.
The President described the late Oseni as a visionary administrator, an elder statesman, a progressive politician, and a trailblazer, whose inspiring leadership, vision and industry stood apart.
He recalled that the late eldersateman was restless in his determination to do many things for people.
Tinubu who went on memory lane, recalled the political life of late politician said: “Kola Oseni’s immense contributions, first as organising secretary of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria in Lagos in the Second Republic, laid the foundation for the establishment of the Lagos State Printing Corporation, among others, for which a central mosque in the company was recently dedicated in his name.”
On his personal encounter he had with the late Alhaji Oseni during his lifetime, the President stated: “To me, however, he was much more than that. He was a leader, my ally, my comrade, a friend and a brother rolled into one.”
On the contributions late Kola Oseni made in his political career, Tinubu said, “He brought me into politics and stood by me along with others to become the Senator representing Lagos West and later the governor of our Lagos State.
“We shared good moments and also made sacrifices for our country and our people. I can never forget all we went through together in the struggle to restore democracy in our land.”
As a strong believer
Tinubu who decribed the late Oseni as “a warrior for Democracy,” added “He believed in the ideals of democracy and good governance and fought for them.
“Together, we fought for the sanctity of the June 12 election won by the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola, and together, we struggled to end military dictatorship in the land.
“In 2022, when I indicated interest in contesting for the presidency, Kola Oseni blessed my aspiration and offered prayers. But he could do little because by then he had relocated to America.”
President stated that he is implementing some of the ideas and reforms they discussed, determined to make Nigeria better and stronger.
He therefore expressed his gratitude to the services the late eldersateman rendered to Lagos State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to him personally over the years.
“Thank you for your service to Lagos State. Thank you for your service to Nigeria. Thank you for being a brother and a friend and for standing by me over the years.,” stated the President.
Indeed, a brother and a bosom friend has fallen. An Iroko among us has fallen. I give thanks to Allah that Alhaji Oseni lived well, lived to an advanced age, and left behind worthy children.
He therefore pray that Allah repose the departed soul of Kola Oseni and comfort the family he left behind
“I will never forget Kola Oseni. I will never forget all that he stood for. I pray that Almighty Allah comfort and protect his immediate family, particularly the wife and children. May they have the fortitude and strength to continue from where he stopped.
“As Kola Oseni’s remains are laid to rest, Remi and I wish him eternal rest. May Almighty Allah grant him the best part of Aljanna,” the President prayed.
