Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has named the newly constructed Onikan Stadium as Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson Arena, describing the late first military governor in the state as a man who saw the future and worked to achieve the Lagos of our dreams.
Sanwo-Olu said late Johnson’s selflessness in service and excellent achievements had been a source of inspiration to successive administrations in Lagos and this has etched his name in gold.
Describing the former administrator as quintessential manager of resources and people, the governor said late Johnson’s personality symbolised integrity, humility, fairness and justice.
According to him, “In whatever role we knew him, the first and longest serving military administrator of Lagos State stood out as a special person for his leadership and charismatic personality. If anyone was qualified to be addressed as ‘an officer and a gentleman’, it was Brigadier General Johnson. Despite his imposing frame, he was as gentle as a dove.
“He never threw his weight around, even though he was a man of power. As a man of authority, he was never authoritarian. Though a soldier, he never ruled with an iron hand; he was compassionate.”
The late Johnson administration, Sanwo-Olu said, started the construction of Ikorodu and Mushin General Hospitals. He added that the former administrator also modernised the Lagos Island General Hospital, expanding the facilities of the hospital.
Aside building maternity annex at Onikan Health Centre and an additional ward at Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital, the governor added that late Johnson also established five new Government Colleges in each of the five divisions of the state.
Sanwo-olu stated this on Tuesday during a ‘Day of Honour’ programme organised to celebrate the exit of the first military governor of Lagos State.
The governor and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, led members of the state’s Executive Council and high-profile dignitaries to the event held to honour the life and times of the deceased.
Johnson passed away in his Ilupeju country home on October 30 at the age of 83.
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also spoke glowingly of the deceased, describing him as “a servant leader and a man of incorruptible character.”
Tinubu said late Johnson, despite being a military administrator, put the people at the cornerstone of his administration and economic policies.
He said: “I salute a courageous officer who never compromised the rules of the military despite becoming a state administrator at a younger age. He put the people at the cornerstone of his administration and economic policies. Having met 10,000 Pounds in the treasury of the State when he assumed office, the late Johnson deployed his ingenuity and talent to set the pace for the State’s modernisation and development. “Just as he had great exploit in the army, his retirement was also solid. He lived a life of principle and contentment. He ran a clean and honest administration.”
Tinubu recalled that 10 military administrators were arrested for corrupt practices when General Murtala Muhammed took over as Head of State in 1976, adding that only late Johnson was absolved of corruption.
This, Tinubu said, spoke of the deceased’s trait of uprightness and spirit of accountability.
Hamzat, in his contribution, said late Johnson lived above pettiness, describing him as a giant “who matched his stature with achievements.”
The deputy hovernor said late Johnson always preferred a spartan life, which was why he chose to live his retirement life among average citizens of the state.
Also, former Lagos State military administrator, Ndubuisi Kanu, stated that late Johnson maintained the dignity of his profession and the office he occupied during his tenure.
Also, a former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba, in his tribute, said all late Johnson’s children attended public schools and rode in public transport despite their father being the reigning military administrator.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion and paid tributes to the deceased include: Ebitu Ukiwe, Raji Rasaki, and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, among others.
The first son of the deceased, Mr. Seyi Johnson, who led family members to the event, thanked Lagos State Government for the honour done to his father. He said: “One of the lessons our father taught us as children is the attribute of tolerance. He told us not to discriminate against anyone irrespective of background.”
Idowu Sowunmi
