Bola Tinubu, national leader of the
All Progressives Congress, on Friday revealed the cause of his son, Jide’s death.
The former Lagos State Governor, who
described his son as “highly intelligent person with a vibrant personality and
a zest for life” died of “cardiac arrest when it seemed he had so much life to
still live.”
In a statement he personally signed,
the former governor thanked Nigerians for their support in the cause of Jide’s
death.
Tinubu said the death of his son had
taught him to “live each day to its best as none of us know when our last day
shall be.”
He also stated that the reaction
from Nigerians including those who disagree with him politically has shown
that, “we can be a people of profound love and humanity when we want to be.”
The statement reads,
“We want to express our
thanks and deep appreciation to all who have demonstrated their sympathy and
expressed their condolences over the loss of our eldest son, Jide. I want to
especially thank President Muhammadu Buhari, VP Yemi Osinbajo, the state
Governors, distinguished Senators particularly Senate President Bukola Saraki,
members of the House of Representatives, APC leaders and members and indeed all
Nigerians. I thank the traditional rulers for their display of support.
“My son was a highly
intelligent person with a vibrant personality and a zest for life. He followed
his own course and made his own way on his own terms. Those who knew him could
not help but like him. Yet, he was taken away by cardiac arrest when it seemed
he had so much life to still live. This is a reminder that we must live each
day to its best as none of us know when our last day shall be. Mortality comes
upon us all. We have no choice in that but we do have a choice whether we shall
be good or bad, just or unjust. Let us all strive toward the best in ourselves.
“Jide lived for so long
in London and there he has left behind a darling wife and three precious boys.
My wife Remi and I have gone to London to be with them at this painful time to
support and help them. Please excuse our absence from Lagos for a while but it
is essential that we are with them. Prayers are being offered and will continue
to be offered for the repose of his soul. I have suffered a grave loss that no
parent would like to bear. As a father, I must spend time putting my arms
around the family he has left behind.
“We must seek a lesson
in every loss. Your reaction to my son’s passing has taught me that we can be a
people of profound love and humanity when we want to be. People of every tribe,
region, faith and every political affiliation have expressed their sympathy and
extended to me the embrace of a brother or sister. Even those who don’t agree
with me politically have shown strong support and care indistinguishable from
that of my associates. This says so much about the innate goodness in all of
us. For no matter what, we are not foes or enemies. We are all of one human
stock, a single nation, one family.
“I wish I could bring my
son back but I cannot. However, what I can do is to be more caring and helpful
to the living as I know this is what Jide would want to become of his passing.
Let us all take a lesson from this and think a bit more about our fellow man,
our neighbor, our fellow Nigeria. Let us live as we were meant to live with
each other in greater peace, compassion and love. If only this can happen, I
know my son will be happy.
“Again, as we are away
from Lagos, we thank you for the love you have shown and ask that you not only
show it to us but to each other. Please continue to pray for him wherever you
are.”
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