Wale Jagun
The Lagoon State Movement, the group agitating for the creation of another state out of Lagos State, led by late Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson, SAN, KJW, during the week organized a special programme in the honour of its departed chairman.
At the special event held at the home of the late Asiwaju of lkorodu, the group paid tribute tothe late legal luminary who piloted the affairs of the movement from 2009 until his death on June 24, 2021.
He led the Movement’s delegation to the National Assembly on June 7, 2010, to submit a request for the creation of the Lagoon State which the movement is requesting to be carved out of the existing Lagos State.
Another request was submitted in 2020 to the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee.
The proposed Lagoon State, according to the Movement, should include the Apapa, Epe, Eti – Osa, Ibeju Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Shomolu Local Government Areas.
The tribute, which was signed by the General Secretary of the Movement, Otunba Sumbo Onitiri, was read out during the special programme which had the presence of the widow of late Benson, Chief (Mrs) Adunola Benson, and other family members.
The tribute, a copy of which was made available to THE IMPACT, read thus:
“Deep in our hearts memory is kept, one person we loved dearly and shall never forget. We thank God Almighty for the life of our great fathers who served God and humanity throughout his lifetime.
“He dedicated his life educating the indigenes on how to improve their educational attainment and also helped them to ride through the ladder of life.
“He was always willing to spend time and money to assist people to succeed in life.
“He was a lawyer of repute and well respected by his colleagues.
“He was a Community Leader who always joins hands with other leaders to make the life of his people better.
“A worthy Ambassador of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State and Nigeria.
“Papa had a great deal of fate. He truly believed that he could “pass through raging waters in the sea and not drown” because God was with him always.
“We members of the Lagos State Movement commiserate with the family left behind and the people of Ikorodu Division for the loss of an illustrious son, Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson, SAN. We pray that the God Almighty will grant him eternal rest”.
Under late Chief Benson’s leadership, the Movement held Town hall meetings in major towns and communities in all the Local Governments selected for the creation of the Lagoon State, to sensitise residents on the economic, social and political benefits of the proposed state.
Chief Benson was the pioneer Chairman, Lagoon State Movement, Asiwaju of Ikorodu Division, Asiwaju of Emuren, Baba Oba of Ibesheland, Baba Oba of Ojodu Kingdom and pioneer Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) among many other honours and titles bestowed on him.
Some of the chieftains of the Lagoon State Movement at the event were Comrade Kehinde Okeowo, Arakunrin Kazeem Showemimo, Youth Chairman, Hon. Princess Folashade Oabanji – Oba, Youth Women Leader and Prince Obafemi Adesanya, Media Coordinator.
