Loving prayers, wishes and thoughts accompanied Nigeria’s former Information Minister, Prince Sulaiman Tony Momoh on his way home today as his body was interred on Grailland, Iju Hills, Lagos, in the sense of The Grail Message.
The ceremonies which held in strict conformation with COVID-19 guidelines, kicked off with a funeral Hour of Worship in the Temple of the Lord on Grailland, and ended with the interment at the cemetery.
In attendance among others were a former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr Philip Shaibu and the Executive Secretary, Anti-Corruption Network, Mr Ebenezer Oyetakin.
Duke, who spoke on the sidelines of the ceremonies, described the departed as a forthright person, noting that Nigerians have a lot to learn from him.
The former Governor said: “He was a sought after man by virtually all the parties; he was one of the few that believed and was committed to what was right.
“What we also saw in his political life also reflected in his private life. We could meet, disagree on approaches to things, come back two years later; he has not changed his way. It wasn’t because of rigidity, no, it was because of his firm belief and conviction.”
One of the children of the departed, Abdulrasheed, said that his father left a huge gap behind.
His words: “I will miss him. He had moved on, he had lived a fulfilled life on earth and moved to the next level. The Almighty has called him for a better job to do.
“He had a list of people he was giving money to; we saw vouchers of these people in a bag. He was a rare man, I am proud of him.”
Also, Shaibu said Momoh stood for the sanctity of the constitution and unity of Nigeria.
He said, “He was an exemplary leader. He believed in the unity of the country and spoke about it a lot. Through his speeches and commentaries, Tony Momoh made his opinion known.
“He didn’t care about what people say but about what unites us. We should do things that unite us. He was a man that believed in the sanctity of our constitution and unity of our country.”
Also, Oyetakin said that Momoh worked and laboured for a society that works for all.
He said: “He was a wonderful man, I have never met a patriotic Nigerian like Prince Tony Momoh. He sang, he breathed and he lived Nigeria.
“Three days before his death, he was still talking about Nigeria. He wanted the best for this country. He worked for it. He was somebody Nigeria will miss.”
He said: “I think he has left a very beautiful footprint on the sands of time.
“He was one of the best members of human community anywhere in the world as described by President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Oyetakin said Nigeria has reasons to celebrate Momoh’s life and not to mourn him.
Momoh passed on on February 1, 2021 at 81.
