Sanwo-Olu, Fashola, Meranda pay tribute as Ajose is buried

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his wife Dr. Ibijoke; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda; wife of Lagos Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat and former Governor Babatunde Fashola at the weekend paid tribute to former Head of Service and member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Dr. Akinsanya Sunny Ajose as he was buried.

The funeral service held at the LTV 8 Grounds in Agidingbi, Ikeja, and was officiated by ministers from the Celestial Church of Christ, particularly from the Jedidah Parish I in Oke-Ira, Ogba.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the Ajose family on behalf of the government and the entire public service.

He said: “Dr. Akinsanya Sunny Ajose meant so many things to many people. We are standing here in his memory and celebration of his life. He truly served us. He served the people of Lagos State for almost 50 years. First as a public servant for almost 35 years. He served and reached the pinnacle of his career. He became not only Permanent Secretary, but also the Number One civil servant as Head of Service of Lagos State, the most populous and the largest and most vibrant public service in Nigeria.

“He also served in the cabinet as Special Adviser on Special Projects. He was an outstanding politician. He distinguished himself as a strong and true son of Badagry, a true Lagosian, and an outstanding Nigerian. I enjoyed my working life with Papa Ajose. He truly served us and served us very well.”

State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who spoke on behalf of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and the party, Cornelius Ojelabi, lauded the late Ajose’s roles as a former party deputy chairman, in the growth and development of the ruling party, particularly in the Badagry division, where the deceased hailed from.

According to Ojelabi, the party would continue to remember the deceased for his positive impact in Lagos politics. “We thank God for the life of Dr. Sunny Ajose. He lived a fulfilled life both as a civil servant, community and party leader. He came, he saw and he conquered.

“As a political leader, he changed the narrative of bad agreement that Badagry is known for to good agreement. And since he became the apex leader of Badagry, we have been having good results from the Badagry division,” he noted.

The deceased’s daughter, while paying tribute to her father on behalf of the family, said: “Our story does not end because you have departed. This moment is a pause for us to reflect on the fortune of crossing paths with you in this lifetime. One day, we will meet again to share all that was wonderful about our time together.”

International Representative of the Celestial Church of Christ, Evang. Olusegun Olarinde, in his sermon, urged people to live a good life and make a positive impact during their lifetime.

Other dignitaries at the funeral were former Lagos Deputy Governors Senator Oluranti Adebule and Princess Sarah Sosan; wife of first civilian Governor of Lagos, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande; members of the House of Representatives and Lagos Assembly; religious, political and traditional leaders, family and friends of the deceased and people of Badagry community, among others.