Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed great shock over the news of the death of Jide, the first son of national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he felt a sense of personal loss over the sad incident which usually tended to test one’s faith in Allah.
“As parents, our usual prayers have always been that our children should see our end so that they could give us befitting burial anytime Allah calls us home; and not the other way round. We cannot question Allah in his decision any time,” Babangida said.
Babangida said this on Friday in a statement made available to newsmen through his media spokesperson, Prince Kassim Afegbua.
“It struck me with helpless awe to learn of the sudden death of your first son, Jide, on Tuesday, 31st, October 2017. I feel a sense of personal loss over this sad incident which usually tends to test our faith in Allah as we sojourn through life,” Babangida said.
The former military president, while noting the deep mark that death of loved ones brings about in one’s life, said he empathized with Asiwaju Tinubu and members of his family over what he described as “this irredeemable loss; especially of a young man, with such adorable background and ebullient upbringing.”
Babangida, while saying that he had never heard the names of Tinubu’s children in circles that were unbefitting of their training even though he (Tinubu) lived a public life due to the peculiar nature of his engagements, contended that such decent upbringing and comportment were attributes that came with discipline, sound character, mutual respect and credibility, all of which Jide
represented.
“Even though you live a public life, because of the peculiar nature of your engagements, I have never heard the names of your children in circles that are unbefitting of their training. Such decent upbringing and comportment are attributes that come with discipline, sound character, mutual respect and credibility, all of which Jide
represented,” he said.
“A befitting solace will be to commit all others into the hands of the Almighty Allah to grant them long life, good health and assured future as they continue to grow from strength to strength,” he added.
While urging parents to strengthen their faith and be resolute in their belief and conviction that there was always a reason behind any occurrence, however, prayed Allah to comfort and console Tinubu and also offer his protection and guard over the rest of the children and members of the family.
“May the Almighty Allah comfort and console you. May He offer his protection and guard over the rest of the children and members of the family. May He grant you good health in your consistent efforts at helping to shape the destiny of the nation.
“On behalf of my family, please accept my hearty condolence at this moment of grief,” Babangida said.
and then