The remains of the late Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, were laid to rest on Thursday at the Vaults and Gardens, following a funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David Parish, Victoria Island.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his wife, Ibijoke, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Secretary to the Lagos State Government Barr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Salu-Hudeyin, Head of Service Mr. Olabode Agoro, and Chief of Staff Mr. Tayo Ayinde, attended the funeral service to pay their respects to the late Soyannwo.
The service was also attended by members of the Lagos State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, All Progressives Congress (APC) members, religious and traditional leaders, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, public servants, family, friends, and associates of the deceased.
Appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff by Governor Sanwo-Olu in 2019 and re-appointed in 2023, Soyannwo passed away on May 15 after a brief illness at the age of 55.
During the funeral service, Governor Sanwo-Olu described Soyannwo as the engine room of his administration, stating that his death has left a significant void. He urged Soyannwo’s family to take solace in the fact that he lived a good life and positively impacted many people.
The Governor referred to Soyannwo as “a brother, an armour-bearer, a confidant, and a faithful believer in the collective dream of a Greater Lagos,” emphasizing that he was a team player who worked tirelessly for the administration’s success. He praised Soyannwo for his dedication to impactful governance and his passion for development.
In an emotional tribute, Mrs. Yewande Soyannwo, the widow, eulogized her late husband, describing their 24 years together as the best of her life. She called him a great partner and lover and asked for forgiveness from anyone he might have offended.
“If I don’t give my tribute, it will be a disservice to Gboyega. Who am I to question God? Gboyega was intentional about everything, even when he was frowning. As your wife, I bless the day I met you. I bless the womb that brought you forth. I bless the children that God gave us. Everyone that matters to me matters to Gboyega. We had our issues, but they were nothing deep. What else can I say? I just want to thank God for giving him to me. I pray for strength to carry on. For the people Gboyega may have offended, who probably thought he didn’t give them a contract or help facilitate it, he had no power over that. Some relationships turned sour. He didn’t have the power to award contracts. Please forgive him,” she pleaded.
In his exhortation, Pastor Dapo Akinosun, reading from Proverbs 22:29 and Romans 12:14, prayed for the repose of Soyannwo’s soul and urged those still alive to use their positions to better the lives of the less privileged by being selfless in service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
During the funeral service, prayers were offered for the entire Soyannwo family and the Lagos State Government by the Lagos State chapter Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Revd. Stephen Adegbite.
