Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, his counterpart in Ogun,
Senator Ibikunle Amosun and wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Mrs Dolapo
Osinbajo on Tuesday led thousands of friends, family members,
colleagues and well wishers to pay last respect to late Deji Tinubu who
passed on last Thursday.
At a well attended lying in state and funeral service held at the
Redeemed Christian Church of God in Victoria Island, Lagos, tributes,
eulogies and tears poured in freely for Tinubu, who until his demise was
the Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Commerce, Industry and
Cooperatives.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with the
children of late Deji Tinubu, Tamilore (left) and Moyosore (right)
during the funeral service of Deji Tinubu at the RCCG City of David,
Victoria Island, on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
Deji had slumped while playing a novelty football match with some
members of the State Executive Council at the Jubilee Chalets in Epe on
January 25, 2018.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; his wife, Bolanle; wife
of late Deji Tinubu, Oluwayemisi; the children, Moyosore and Tamilore
during the funeral service of Deji Tinubu at the RCCG City of David,
Victoria Island, on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
In a special tribute in memory of Deji Tinubu published in the
funeral service brochure and signed by the Secretary to the State
Government, Mr. Tunji Bello described him as a great professional who
devoted time to the service of humanity.
“He was an engineer, but he was also an engineer of sports. He was
both sports man and sports lover. But he was unforgettable as a sports
administrator. Those who followed him knew him as a symbol of service to
humanity.
“We had seen him enliven us on television screens and through radio
waves. He was an enthusiast and an analyst. He probed the game and
predicted. He pointed out weaknesses and strengths. He saw flair, he saw
style, he celebrated goals. He delighted in them and infected all who
listened or watched him with his full vigour and vitality about living,”
the Lagos State Government said.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; his wife, Bolanle; wife
of late Deji Tinubu, Oluwayemisi; the children, Moyosore; Tamilore and
other relatives during the funeral service of Deji Tinubu at the RCCG
City of David, Victoria Island, on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
Speaking at the service, Amosun described the late Deji as a man who had a deep passion for football and sports in general.
“The last time I saw Deji was when he came to identify with Segun
Odegbami’s 10th anniversary of his sports academy. Little did I know
that Deji will answer the final call on January 25 which happen to be my
birthday. Deji was full of life and had a deep passion for football,”
Amosun said.
He commiserated with Governor Ambode and the State Government, adding that Deji’s call to glory was an act of God.
“God’s ways are not our ways, when it happens like this, we have to
thank Him. With all what has been said about him clearly shows that we
have to be thankful to God for his life in the 54 years he spent with
us,”Amosun said.
Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Yemi Osinbajo who prayed for the
family of the deceased, urged them to take comfort in God, while praying
that God will sustain his wife and children.
In his sermon, Pastor in Charge of RCCG, City of David, Idowu
Iluyomade said Deji was a quintessential gentleman and a pillar, who
contributed in no small way in building the house of God.
“I have known Deji for 22 years. He was a giver and a lover of
football. To the family, I want you to take solace in the fact that
everyone of us will die or be raptured. Today we celebrate Deji because
we know he’s in a better place. Nobody took his life, he died at the
appointed time,” he said.
Taking his sermon from Isaiah 43 verse 2, Iluyomade urged the
congregation to see Deji’s death as a reminder of the futility of life
and the need to submit their lives to the almighty God.
Among other dignitaries present at the service include President of
Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former governor of
Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Mr. Dele
Momodu, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, members of the Lagos State Executive
Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries, members of the Lagos State House
of Assembly, sports aficionados, among others.
