Tears flowed freely, yesterday, amid eulogies as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State led other dignitaries to pay their last respects at the burial of late Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, LFTZ Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu, at Ikoyi, Lagos.
The late Disu was murdered at Akodo, Lekki, while addressing residents of the community whose land were acquired for the LFTZ project.
SPECIAL PRAYERS: Tolulope Disu, Zumunta Disu, Aisha Marinho and Lolade Odalisa, all children of the deceased, during the special prayers for late Tajudeen Disu, former MD, Lekki Free Trade Zone at City Hall, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.
Aside the governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, other dignitaries at the event were Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Tunji Bello, former deputy governors of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro and Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu.
Also at the event were former commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr. Babatunde Balogun, former Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr. Taofiq Tijani, former Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Central Business District, CBD, Mrs. Derin Disu,Chief Remi Makanjuola, former chairman of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, board, the Chairman, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Otunba Olusegun Jawando, who led other members of the LFTZ to the event, among others.
Miss Tolulope Disu, daughter of late Disu, said at the burial: “I will miss his jokes. My father loves everyone and will work to ensure that the needs of anyone beside him is catered for.
“Also, when you are sitting beside my father, he will often tell us funny stories. In fact, I will miss his jokes.”
My father was a great man —Son
Ibrahim Disu, son of the late Managing Director, said he never knew how great his father was until his death.
“I know my father was great but I don’t know how it was until his death. Five minutes after his death, everyone had taken over the responsibilities for the burial ceremony. I must thank everyone who had rallied round the family since his death,” he said.
He died a martyr— Cleric
Dr. Zikrulahi Adenugba, lecturer from Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, while delivering the sermon at the burial ceremony, held at the City Hall, Lagos Island, said: “He died a martyr.”
Vanguard learned that anyone who dies in such circumstances in Islamic religion was considered a martyr.
But Adenugba urged Lagos State government to keep the legacy, LFTZ, he laboured for before his death.
He added that the government should support the family in whatever they intended to do and ensure they were all well catered for.
Sheik Ahmad Olore, however, urged relatives of the deceased to ensure there wasn’t any rancour after the death of Tajudeen Disu, saying, “unity should be the watchword always.”
Disu was a philanthropist—Balogun, ex-commissioner
Mr. Tunde Balogun, former Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in Lagos State said: “ He is a peaceful man; very good family man and was good to a lot of people. He was generous to a lot of people and they would miss him badly.
‘’He was a very good friend of mine. we were classmates in school. He was my best man on my wedding day. We have been very close; we grew up together on Lagos Island.
“Alhaji Tajudeen was an honest, dedicated and very committed to whatever he is doing. He worked relentlessly to ensure that Lekki Free Trade Zone project got to fruition but unfortunately he could not live to see the end of the project.
‘’I pray that God upholds his family, sustain them and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
