Gbajabiamila, Sanwa-Olu mourn Mobolaji Johnson

Mobolaji-Olufunso-Johnson — The Late Mobolaji Johnson

Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has described as painful, the passing away of the first Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson (rtd).

The late retired Brigadier General was Lagos State military governor from May 1967 to July 1975 during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon. He passed away on Wednesday at about 4.15 pm at the age of 83.

The Speaker said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, that the first Lagos State governor would be remembered for his good leadership qualities and the foundation he laid for the development of the state.

While commiserating with the family of the late General, the people and government of Lagos State, the Speaker prayed for the repose of his soul.

“The passing away of Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson is indeed a sad loss. He would surely be missed by all Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole.

“My thoughts are with his family at this time. I pray the God Almighty grants his soul a peaceful resting place,” the Speaker said

……He was a man of vision Lagos State-Sanwo-Olu

Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed sadness over the death of the first Military Governor of the State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (retd) on Wednesday at 83.

Mobolaji Johnson died in Lagos after a brief illness.

Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the late Gen. Johnson as a complete gentleman and officer. A dedicated Lagosian. General Johnson contributed immensely to the development of Lagos state in particular and the nation in general.

Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled General Johnson’s time as the first Military Governor of Lagos State from May 1967 to July 1975, when the late administrator brought visible infrastructural development to the state.

He said: ‘‘Although General Mobolaji Johnson has gone to be with his Lord and Creator, the memories of great accomplishments he left behind will linger on forever. One remembers how the late General Johnson’s administration worked with other seasoned professionals to establish five Government Colleges and Housing Estates, which were commissioned by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, within one year of his administration. This, to me, is the hallmark of service and has remained a benchmark for successive administrations in the state.’’

Sanwo-Olu, who described the late Gen Johnson as a man of vision with a mission to see a modern Lagos evolve, noted that the vision had started to manifest in what we see today as every successive administration strives to build on the developmental structure and foundation of good governance laid by late General Johnson.

The Governor reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise the deceased is to ensure that good governance spreads to every facet of the society.

“We must ensure that the people enjoy the dividend of democracy. Development must touch the lives of the people directly. This is the best way to immortalise the late Mobolaji Johnson because this is virtue he lived for.’’ Sanwo-Olu stated.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos state, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of late Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson.’’

Obituary of Brig. Gen Mobolaji Johnson

The first military governor of Lagos State, Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson (retd.), is dead.

His son, Deji, confirmed that he passed Wednesday night.

He was 83.

The late Gen. Johnson was appointed Military Administrator by the then military Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Thomas Aguiyi- Ironsi, and later, governor of Lagos State by his successor, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

He served in that capacity between 1966 and 1975 when he was compulsory retired by former Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed.

However, he and the military governor of Western State were separated from the pack of colleagues who were indicted for alleged corruption.

In retirement, he ventured into business, becoming the Chairman of Julius Berger, the giant construction.

Johnson was born on February 9, 1936. His administration supervised the unpopular demolition of Ajele Cemetery in the early 1970s.

His tenure saw the building of major infrastructure in Lagos State.

He was first appointed by Aguiyi-Ironsi as the administrator of the Federal Capital Territory of Lagos in 1966; he was involved in developing the civil service.

Johnson was initially assisted in running the state by some key civil servants, including Administrative Secretary, Adeyemi-Bero, Finance Secretary, Folarin Coker, and the acting secretary to the Military Government, Howson Wright. He waited until April 1968 before appointing his commissioners.

In 1975, at the inception of the Gen Murtala Mohammed administration, Johnson was one of the two governors (along with the Brig Oluwole Rotimi) found not guilty of corruption by the three-man panel set up to investigate the various allegations of corruption amongst the State Governors.

He retired from the Nigerian Army in 1975 and went into private business.

A road, an avenue, and a sports complex in Mobalaji’s home state bear his name as well as a Housing Scheme at Lekki both in Lagos.

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