The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, on Tuesday led friends, family members and colleagues to pay their last respects to the late Special Adviser to Ambode on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Deji Tinubu, who died on Thursday.
At a funeral service at the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God on Victoria Island, the late Tinubu was eulogised for his sterling qualities.
Deji slumped while playing in a novelty football match with some members of the State Executive Council at the Jubilee Chalets in Epe on January 25.
In a tribute published in the funeral service brochure and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, the state government described Tinubu as a professional, who devoted time to the service of humanity.
“He was an engineer but he was also an engineer of sports. He was both a sportsman and sports lover. But he is unforgettable as a sports administrator. Those who followed him knew him as a symbol of service to humanity,” the tribute read in part.
Speaking at the service, Amosun described the late Tinubu as a man who had a passion for football and sports in general.
He commiserated with Ambode and the state, stressing that Tinubu’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. We have to be thankful to God for his life in the 54 years he spent with us,” Amosun said.
The wife of the Vice President urged the Tinubu family to take comfort in God, praying that God would sustain them.
In his sermon, the Pastor in charge of the parish, Idowu Iluyomade, said Tinubu was a pillar, who contributed to the building of the church.
He said, “I have known Deji (Tinubu) 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 will die or be raptured. Today, we celebrate Deji because we know he’s in a better place.”
Iluyomade urged the congregation to see Tinubu’s death as a reminder of the futility of life and the need to submit their lives to God.
Other dignitaries present at the service were the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; a former governor of Anambra State, Dr Peter Obi; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Mr. Dele Momodu; Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi and members of the Lagos State Executive Council.