President Muhammadu Buhari has with family members, friends, associates and the Lagos State government on the death of the first military governor of the state, Gen. Mobolaji Johnson who died yesterday at the age of 83.
Media aide to the president, Mr. Femi Adesina quotes Buhari as tasking all leaders and citizens of Lagos State to uphold the legacies of discipline and selfless service bequeathed to the state by the late general
He said late Johnson had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Army, starting out as a cadet in 1959 and retiring in 1975.
Adesina said as the first governor of Lagos State, which was then the Federal Capital Territory, Buhari affirmed that Johnson laid a solid foundation for the development of infrastructure in the state and provided a good framework for the civil service.
He also said the president noted that the late Johnson’s footprints in promoting education and building durable health system would always be remembered.
The statement added that Buhari prayed the almighty God to accept the soul of the departed.
Similarly, the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed sadness over the death of the first military governor of the state.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his spokesman Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the late general as a complete gentleman and officer and dedicated Lagosian who contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State in particular and the nation in general.
The governor recalled Johnson’s time in the saddle as the first military administrator from May 1967 to July 1975, when he brought visible infrastructural development to the state.
“Although Gen. Mobolaji Johnson has gone to be with his Lord and creator, the memories of great accomplishments he left behind will linger on forever. One remembers how the late Gen. Johnson’s administration worked with other seasoned professionals to establish five Government Colleges and Housing estates, which were commissioned by the then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, within one year of his administration. This, to me, is the hallmark of service and has remained a benchmark for successive administrations in the state” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor further described Johnson as a “man of vision with a mission to see a modern Lagos evolves.”
He said the vision had started to manifest in what “we see today as every successive administration strives to build on the developmental structure and foundation of good governance laid by late Gen. Johnson.”
The governor reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise the deceased is to ensure that good governance spreads to every facet of the society.
‘’We must ensure that the people enjoy the dividend of democracy. Development must touch the lives of the people directly. This is the best way to immortalise the late Mobolaji Johnson because this is virtue he lived for.
On behalf of the government and people of Lagos state, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of late Brigadier Gen. Mobolaji Johnson,’’ the governor said.
