Press Releases

Dipo Dina: Fashola Pays Tribute At Funeral Service
• “Says his assailants will soon be brought to justice”

Feb 11, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Thursday joined his predecessor in office, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Yeye Oluremi Tinubu,family members, friends and associates of the late Otunba Dipo Dina to pay him tribute at a funeral service warning the assailants of the slain politician that they would soon be brought to justice.

Governor Fashola who read his tribute at the United African Methodist Church, Jebba Street, Ebute-Metta West venue of the service, warned, “To his assailants and all other enemies of democracy and freedom, the time is ticking and sooner than later, your time will be up. We will bring you to justice”.

The Governor, who described the death of Dipo Dina as heart-wrenching, said when the news of “the fall of yet another democrat” filtered into his ears on the 25th of January 2010, he pondered in his mind whether the struggle for the emancipation of one’s flesh and blood, one’s kith and kin is worth it after all.

“How long will they continue to kill our prophets and politicians, our freedom fighters, our men and women of integrity who signify hope where hopelessness reigns, while we stand aside and look?’, the Governor asked, lamenting that Dipo Dina was cut down in his prime few days to his 50th birthday.

The Governor, however, urged the family and relations of the slain politician to take solace in the fact that Dipo Dino died “in active service” adding that although it is painful, his death should not be allowed to weigh everyone down.

“This is exactly what the evil doers want us to do. But we must not allow them the opportunity to cheer”, the Governor said adding that the death should rather be seen as a clarion call for true democrats “to return to the trenches and renew the battle for the soul of democracy from the stranglehold of despotic forces”.

According to the Governor, “It will be a disservice to the efforts of Dipo Dina and many more like him if the retrogressive forces are allowed to enjoy their pyrrhic victory. All hands must be on deck to uphold those time tested values that Dipo demonstrated in the face of opposition. He was an example of exemplary leadership our generation craves for; leadership that believes in the rule of law and orderliness as against violence and extra legal means of achieving set objectives”.

He noted that while the opposition employed physical molestation and character assassination, Dipo Dina instructed his followers not to condescend to such levels but uphold the rule of law, using their brain instead of brawl.

“As the battle for the soul of our country and the realization of its potentials martyrs yet another illustrious son through untimely death by assailants, the widow, children, family and associates of Dipo Dina should hold their heads high with pride that their husband, father, friend and associate died in active service of his Fatherland”, Governor Fashola exhorted.

He continued, “I urge you all to soar high in the words of our National Anthem that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Indeed, the hard-fought battle of Dipo Dina for the freedom of his people shall not be in vain”.

Describing the slain politician as “one of our old and trusted party ambassadors”, the Governor declared, “His memory will remain indelible in my mind”, adding, “My dear brother, fallen patriot, Dipo Dina, all of us you left behind send you forth across the bridge where there is no more sorrow; across the bridge where you will take your place in the midst of many martyrs, away from a world devoid of turmoil into another life devoid of rancour, bitterness, envy and hatred as displayed in this sinful world”.