The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described his first son, Kazeem Olajide Babajide Tinubu, who died on Tuesday in Lagos, as a highly intelligent and a vibrant personality.
He said: “my son was a highly intelligent person with a vibrant personality and a zest for life. “He followed his own course and made his own way on his own terms. Those who knew him could not help but like him. Yet, he was taken away by cardiac arrest when it seemed he had so much life to still live.
“I wish I could bring my son back but I cannot. However, what I can do is to be more caring and helpful to the living as I know this is what Jide would want to become of his passing. “Let us all take a lesson from this and think a bit more about our fellow man, our neighbors, our fellow Nigerians. Let us live as we were meant to live with each other in greater peace, compassion and love. If only this can happen, I know my son will be happy.”
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the leadership of his party and National Assembly as well as all those who demonstrated their sympathy and expressed their condolences to the family, said that the death of Jide, who was born on October 12th 1980, was a reminder that we must live each day to its best as none of us know when our last day shall be.
According to him, mortality comes upon us all, adding that we have no choice in that but we do have a choice whether we shall be good or bad, just or unjust.
“Let us all strive toward the best in ourselves.”
The APC leader, who was attending the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party when Jide died, said that his deceased first son lived for so long in London and there he has left behind a darling wife and three precious boys.
“My wife Remi and I have gone to London to be with them at this painful time to support and help them. Please excuse our absence from Lagos for a while but it is essential that we are with them.
“Prayers are being offered and will continue to be offered for the repose of his soul. I have suffered a grave loss that no parent would like to bear.
“As a father, I must spend time putting my arms around the family he has left behind.
“We must seek a lesson in every loss. Your reaction to my son’s passing has taught me that we can be a people of profound love and humanity when we want to be. People of every tribe, region, faith and every political affiliation have expressed their sympathy and extended to me the embrace of a brother or sister.
“Even those who don’t agree with me politically have shown strong support and care indistinguishable from that of my associates. This says so much about the innate goodness in all of us.
“For no matter what, we are not foes or enemies. We are all of one human stock, a single nation, one family.
“Again, as we are away from Lagos, we thank you for the love you have shown and ask that you not only show it to us but to each other. Please continue to pray for him wherever you are.”[myad]
