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Braithwaite’s exit a great loss, says Ambode

By Wole Oyebade, Seye Olumide and Godwin Dunia
31 March 2016   |   7:57 am
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman and legal luminary, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite.
Ambode

Ambode

Ilo, Dokpesi, Lagos White Cap Chiefs pay tributes

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman and legal luminary, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, saying that his contributions to the emancipation of the masses and constitutional development in Nigeria would remain indelible.

Ambode, who visited the family House of the late sage in Victoria Island area of the state in company of some members of the State Executive Council, said that the late Braithwaite consistently fought for the masses throughout his lifetime, and so deserved to be celebrated for a life well spent.

He described his death as not only a great loss to the family but also to the state and the country as a whole, even as he said the whole of Lagos and its good people celebrated his life and times as a great son of Lagos and a fine nationalist.

The Governor, while commiserating with Braithwaite’s widow, Grace and the children, said that their father paid his dues, assuring that the state government would continue to celebrate the ideals he stood for during his lifetime.

Ambode said he was following the footsteps of the late Braithwaite in using his position as the governor of the state to work for the masses and the majority, so as to make life meaningful to the generality of the people.

According to him: “I want to clearly state here that whatever it is that we are doing even as a government or as a party, they are the things that the late Dr. Braithwaite stood for. If there was anybody that was always on the side of the masses, such person was the late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite. He believed, confessed and fought for the masses throughout his lifetime.

“No matter the side he was on, the political divide, his message was consistent, constant and he was always thoroughbred and that is why I have come here not only to console the family but to say that everything that I’m also doing is on the side of the masses and is on the side of the majority which he also believed in, which he confessed, which he stood for notwithstanding whatever trepidations or challenges on his way,” Ambode said.

The Governor added that he was happy to note that the late Braithwaite also lived a Christian life till the end, just as he recalled his contribution to the upliftment of the body of Christ and advancement of evangelical works.

He said: “I was just sharing with Mama (Braithwaite’s widow) some of the legacies that the Braithwaite family put in place in the Anglican Church in Epe and the things they continued to do. My prayer is that wherever he has left his sermons, we the younger generation would continue to take on that and also ensure that the philosophy of what he believed in would not die

“I want to console with the rest of the family and they should be assured that the name Braithwaite will never die. I believe strongly that anytime we are reading legal matters or any other issue that relates to constitutionalism in Nigeria, Braithwaite’s side of the story will remain indelible.

“Once again, on behalf of Lagos State, I want to say that this is something that thoroughly touched us; we are concerned about it and we would like to take deeper part in whatever you want to do to honour him because this is a great loss to Lagos and this is a great loss of a great man of Lagos and we intend to celebrate him.”

Responding on behalf of the family, the Braithwaite’s daughter, Dr. Omowunmi Braithwaite, thanked Ambode for finding time to commiserate with them in this trying moment despite his busy schedule, noting that her father had left a huge vacuum to fill.

She described late Braithwaite as God fearing but feared nobody, saying that the family was consoled by the fact that her left a good legacy worthy of emulation.

Also, the Chairman, African Independent Television (AIT), Chief Raymond Dokpesi said he had the privilege of meeting Braithwaite for the first time in Yola in 1983 during his campaign. My very first impression about him was this is a Nigerian committed to the unity, progress and peace of the nation. He was a Nigerian that was very courageous, patriotic and committed to the wellbeing and progress of the younger generation.

He further eulogised Dr. Braithwaite as someone who couldn’t stomach oppression of the less privilege.

Executive Chairman of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr. Debo Adeniran said the immediate thing that will be missed about the demise of the founder of NAP is his passion for the emancipation of Nigerians.

Describing Dr. Braithwaite as someone who taught the younger generation how to be selfless in service to the nation, Executive Secretary to Dr.

Tunji Braithwaite’s Foundation, Otunba Shola Alao said he was a great man that would be missed by all.

According to him, “What we are doing now is how to keep his vision alive and move his legacy forward.”

General Overseer of Soul Winning Chapel, Ebute-Meta and one of the old time friends of Dr. Braithwaite, Rev. Moses Ilo said his death was a big loss to the country and the family “but then this is what God has permitted and it happened at the right time.

“All we need to do and which suppose to be a lesson to everybody is to do our best and leave the rest. We should not give room for procrastination,” he said.

Also, present at the residence were the Lagos White Cap Chiefs who represented Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu 1, former PMAN President, Tee Mac Iseli, Human Rights crusader, Mr. Wale Okunniyi, former chairman Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Ayodele Adewale and others.

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