Tinubu mourns ex-Lagos HoS Ajose

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sympathised with the Lagos State Government over the death of a former Head of Service in the state, Akinsanya Ajose.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, Tinubu also condoled with the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the death of the elder statesman.

“Chief Ajose died early on Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was 78. The President commiserated particularly with the people of Badagry,” Onanuga wrote on X.

He said Tinubu described the late Ajose as a statesman, party loyalist, and committed APC apex leader in Badagry who was also a unifying force in Lagos State.

Recalling his relationship with Chief Ajose as the Head of Service during his time as governor, President Tinubu underscored Ajose’s commitment to reforming the service.

“He was an astute administrator and dogged civil servant. When I appointed him the Head of Service, he became a rallying point. He had considerable influence on the workers. He was pivotal in getting the civil service behind our policies and initiatives,” the President said.

“Even after his tenure as Head of Service, we remained very close because of his leadership qualities and because he was an important partner in development.”

According to Onanuga, President Tinubu said Pa Ajose made immense contributions to the development of not only his Badagry Constituency but also the entire state.

Tinubu added that it was a mark of recognition of his important role that he was the sole representative from Badagry in the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council.

“While commiserating with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government, and the people of the state, the President prayed for strength and support for Ajose’s family and eternal rest for Pa Ajose’s soul,” Onanuga stated.

The late Ajose was born on February 10, 1946, in Badagry. After his primary and secondary education in Nigeria, he went to the United States for tertiary education.

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago, in 1973.

In 1974, he received an M.A. in Social Science from Governors State University, also in the U.S. He joined the Lagos Civil Service in 1979 and became Head of Service in 2004.