Elder statesman Oba Olatunji Hamzat, Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Advisory Council (GAC) leader and Olu of Afowowa Sogade,Ewekoro, Ogun State, who is also the father of the Lagos State Deputy- Governor Elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has passed on after a brief illness.
He passed on barely 17 days to the inauguration of his son, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as Deputy Governor.
Kabiyesi who until his death was the leader of the Justice Forum, a popular APC caucus in Lagos State , was a successful banker before joining politics in the first Republic, serving as a ward executive in old Mushin Local Government Area.
In the Second Republic, he joined the Committee of Friends, which metamorphosed into the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
In 1979, he was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the UPN. His godfather was Pa Rafiu Solomon, state party treasurer, close associate of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and father of Senator Ganiyu Solomon.
His colleagues in the House of Assembly included Chief Busura Alebiosu from Kosofe, Oladimeji Longe, Longe Oyediran from Somolu, Clement Awoyelu from Amuwo Odofin, Oluwole Awolowo from Apapa, Hon. Ariyoh from Oshodi, and Hon L A Odunsi representing Idunmago the present Lagos Island Constituency.
His membership of the House was shortlived. Following consultations with Pa Solomon, Hamzat was appointed as Commissioner for Transportation. Immediately he was appointed, he ran to the University of Lagos to brainstorm with experts in related fields of Transportation Geography to keep himself abreast of the technical requirements.
Indeed, Hamzat’s ministry pioneered the introduction of the light rail in Lagos, a project of the Jakande administration approved and launched by former President Shehu Shagari. The project was the first casualty of the military intervention in 1983, during the administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Hamzat’s colleagues in Jakande’s cabinet were Olorunfunmi Basorun(Secretary to Government), Olawale Idris (Commissioner for Education), Ganiyu Dawodu(Local Government and Chietaincy Affairs), Afolabi Ege, Hundeyin, P.O Fagbeyiro, Alhaji Masha, Hon. Sobowale and Prof. Femi Agbalajobi, who later became Secretary to Government.
Hamzat late Oba was subjected to harassment after the 1983 coup by the military. But, the coup did not draw the curtains on his political career. He returned to his private business. Also, he enrolled for a writing course at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ogba.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor -elect of Lagos state in his condolence message to the Late Oba Hamzat's family wrote, " I commensurate with the family of my friend Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on the calling to glory of his father, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, Olu of Afowowa.
"We are thankful for his life. He was an elder statesman who dedicated his life to the development of Lagos. We will miss his counsel," he said
His burial program has been fixed for Monday, 13 May, 2019 at his Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba residence in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
He passed on barely 17 days to the inauguration of his son, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as Deputy Governor.
Kabiyesi who until his death was the leader of the Justice Forum, a popular APC caucus in Lagos State , was a successful banker before joining politics in the first Republic, serving as a ward executive in old Mushin Local Government Area.
In the Second Republic, he joined the Committee of Friends, which metamorphosed into the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
In 1979, he was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the UPN. His godfather was Pa Rafiu Solomon, state party treasurer, close associate of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and father of Senator Ganiyu Solomon.
His colleagues in the House of Assembly included Chief Busura Alebiosu from Kosofe, Oladimeji Longe, Longe Oyediran from Somolu, Clement Awoyelu from Amuwo Odofin, Oluwole Awolowo from Apapa, Hon. Ariyoh from Oshodi, and Hon L A Odunsi representing Idunmago the present Lagos Island Constituency.
His membership of the House was shortlived. Following consultations with Pa Solomon, Hamzat was appointed as Commissioner for Transportation. Immediately he was appointed, he ran to the University of Lagos to brainstorm with experts in related fields of Transportation Geography to keep himself abreast of the technical requirements.
Indeed, Hamzat’s ministry pioneered the introduction of the light rail in Lagos, a project of the Jakande administration approved and launched by former President Shehu Shagari. The project was the first casualty of the military intervention in 1983, during the administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Hamzat’s colleagues in Jakande’s cabinet were Olorunfunmi Basorun(Secretary to Government), Olawale Idris (Commissioner for Education), Ganiyu Dawodu(Local Government and Chietaincy Affairs), Afolabi Ege, Hundeyin, P.O Fagbeyiro, Alhaji Masha, Hon. Sobowale and Prof. Femi Agbalajobi, who later became Secretary to Government.
Hamzat late Oba was subjected to harassment after the 1983 coup by the military. But, the coup did not draw the curtains on his political career. He returned to his private business. Also, he enrolled for a writing course at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ogba.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor -elect of Lagos state in his condolence message to the Late Oba Hamzat's family wrote, " I commensurate with the family of my friend Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on the calling to glory of his father, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, Olu of Afowowa.
"We are thankful for his life. He was an elder statesman who dedicated his life to the development of Lagos. We will miss his counsel," he said
His burial program has been fixed for Monday, 13 May, 2019 at his Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba residence in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
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