The residence of former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, on Thursday played host to political heavyweights on a condolence visit to Ladoja over the death of his mother, Alhaja Alimotu Shadiya Ladoja.

The august visitors included former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo; governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and the immediate past Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo.

When asked for his reaction to the death of Mama Alimotu, Obasanjo said: “You have missed a lot. If you had been here earlier, you would have seen me when I was weeping. I wept profusely and I even raised songs in honour of the deceased. So, take your photograph and we will call on you when we are done with our discussion.”

Obasanjo added that Ladoja has now joined the club of complete orphans and thanked God that Mama left a worthy legacy.

His words: “She has actually left what those of us who are her children can glory in. May the Almighty grant the deceased eternal rest and continue to keep the children. Mama, who left behind a good son as Rashidi Ladoja, truly has left behind a great legacy. But this great son that Mama left behind can be naughty at times. But when I scold him, he listens to me and corrects himself.”

Condoling Ladoja, Oyinlola urged him to take solace in the fact that his mother lived well and died at a ripe age. He asked God to continue to keep the children and the family.

Governor Ajimobi, who was at Ladoja’s house on Thursday night in the company of some members of his cabinet, described the deceased as a mother in a million and one who left behind successful children.

In a brief interview with newsmen shortly after the remains of his mother was buried in his father’s house in Yemetu, Ladoja said in an emotion-laden voice: “Where do I start from? Do I start from the food? Less than six months ago, she was still my best cook. I prefer eating her food to any other person’s food and she was always very happy to cook for me. She was my best confidant as well as the last General from whom I received orders which I follow without asking questions.

“Now, there is nobody that can tell me ‘You must do this!’ My father used to say that ‘when you have no father and no mother, you have nobody who can give you orders.”

•Photo shows Obasanjo (R) in a handshake with Ladoja during the condolence visit.

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