- Mourners defy COVID-19 guidelines and throng deceased's house
Buruji Kashamu, former Nigerian lawmaker who died of Coronavirus complications on Saturday in Lagos, has been buried in Ijebu Igbo on Sunday.
The 62-year-old politician had reportedly been in a coma at the First Cardiology Consultants in Ikoyi, Lagos, before he finally succumbed to the dreaded disease on Saturday. A crowd of sympathisers and loyalists thronged his Ijebu Igbo home on Sunday morning to pay him their last respects. They thronged his house in a large number
The former senator was loved by his people for his philanthropic gestures and contributions to the welfare of his community. Hence, mourners defied social distancing protocol to bid him farewell, betraying emotion as the body of their benefactor was brought out from his room for interment. Despite the presence of security agents, the huge crowd present at the burial could not be controlled.
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The Janazah prayer was led by the Grand Mufti of the League of Imams and Alfas, Ogun State, Sheik Mikail Rufia, who, in his sermon, described death as the inevitable end of all living beings. Rufia described the late politician as a generous man, who placed highest premium on the welfare of the people of his community, and prayed for the repose of Kashamu’s soul and for the safety, protection and provision for the family he left behind.
Buruji's widow, Susan, and his children wept uncontrollably as his body was lowered into the grave.
Dignitaries who were present at the burial included the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; the senator representing Ogun East, Lekan Mustapha; former Ogun State deputy governors, Senator Gbenga Kaka and Segun Adesegun; and the state Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun.
Also present was the former spokesperson for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Reuben Abati, who was Kashamu’s running mate in the 2019 governorship election; as well as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo.
Other dignitaries in attendance at the burial were the representative of the immediate-past governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Abdul-Majeed Ekelojumati; former Chairman of the Ijebu North Local Government Area, representatives of traditional rulers as well as leaders and members of the League of Imams and Alfas in the local government.
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Governor Abiodun, who arrived at Kashamu’s home around 10.39am in company with some of his cabinet members, described the deceased as a friend of 25 years. According to him, Kashamu was courageous, passionate and a cheerful giver. He also added that the state’s political landscape would not be the same without him.
"Kashamu was most importantly a cheerful giver, especially to the needy. His death is one too many to the people of Ogun State. The state’s political landscape will never be the same without him. We offer our deepest condolences on behalf of myself, my family and all the good people of Ogun State.”
Kaka described the death of Kashamu as a big loss, saying he lived his life in the way God wanted him to live. He asked God to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.
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In a statement on Sunday by his media office,a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described Kashamu as a true grass-roots politician, who fought for his convictions.
He said, “Senator Kashamu was also a good party man. He was unwavering in his support for his party, the PDP, through all the twists and turns of his political life. His passing is a big loss to the larger political family in Nigeria.
“His passing has lengthened the grotesque list of important personalities that have been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also a sad reminder that the deadly virus remains very much with us.
“I mourn with his family, particularly his wives, children and grandchildren. May Almighty Allah lay His hands of protection on them at this moment.”
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Also, the APC in Ogun State described Kashamu as a courageous politician, who gave his all to any cause he believed in.
The APC, in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the state caretaker committee, Tunde Oladunjoye, commiserated with the family and members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state over Kashamu’s death.
The statement read in part, “Even as a candidate, who just lost elections, he was quick to congratulate the winner, and also visited the Iperu country home of Prince Dapo Abiodun to congratulate him a day after the announcement of the 2019 governorship elections results.”