Lagos state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed sadness over the death of the first military governor of the state, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (retd), who died on Wednesday at 83, describing the late Johnson as a man of vision with a mission to see a modern Lagos evolve.
The former military governor died in Lagos after a brief illness.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Gboyega Akosile, further described the late Gen. Johnson as a complete gentleman and officer as well as a dedicated Lagosian.
According to governor Sanwo-Olu, General Johnson contributed immensely to the development of Lagos state in particular and the nation in general, recalling that his time as the first military governor of Lagos from May 1967 to July 1975 witnessed visible infrastructural development.
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“Although General 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 General 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, General 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,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu, while describing the late Gen. Johnson as a man of vision with a mission to see a modern Lagos evolve, noted that the vision had started to manifest in what was being witnessed today as every successive administration strives to build on the developmental structure and foundation of good governance laid by the late military governor.
He reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise the deceased was to ensure that good governance spreads to every facet of society.
“We must ensure that 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-General Mobolaji Johnson,” the governor added.