Ambode mourns passage of foremost industrialist, Rasheed Gbadamosi

•    Says Lagos has lost a great son
LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday expressed great shock and sadness over the passage of foremost industrialist and economist, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, saying the state had lost a great son whose passion to serve his state and fatherland was never in doubt.

Gbadamosi, a Co-chairman of the Lagos @ 50 Committee, died on Wednesday at the age of 72.

Governor Ambode expressed his feelings in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Habib Aruna, saying he was truly saddened by the demise of the former Minister for National Planning, describing him as a true Lagosian, who was passionate and always willing to serve his state and fatherland.

“As a foundation member of the first Lagos State Executive Council after the creation of the state in 1967, he contributed immensely towards laying a very solid foundation for what is today the foremost state in the country and the nation’s unarguably Centre of Excellence. He also distinguished himself as a Federal Minister and PPPRA Chairman.

“Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was a sound economist, one of the best in his generation. His passion to serve his fatherland was never in doubt, so it was not surprising to me that he graciously accepted to serve as co-chairman of our Lagos @ 50 committee and in the last few months, he was directly involved in the meetings and planning to ensure the success of the celebration.

“He was the youngest commissioner in Lagos State at 27, an industrialist and a very consistent financial expert. He was a proud son of Lagos State who had paid his dues over the decade. A financial guru and a public administrator per excellence, who would never shy away from letting people know that he was a thoroughbred Lagos boy, born in Ikorodu,” the governor said.

Governor Ambode, while commiserating with the family of the late economist and art enthusiast, urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and continued to render meritorious service to the state until his demise.

The governor, while condoling with the family of Gbadamosi on the irreparable loss, said the late industrialist had indeed paid his dues for which Lagosians would always remember him.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Chief Gbadamosi on this great and irreparable loss. He paid his dues and Lagosians will always remember him,” Governor Ambode said.