Sanwo-Olu’s Deputy Chief of Staff’s remains laid to rest

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The remains of Gboyega Soyannwo, the late Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, 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 and his wife, Ibijoke; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Head of Service, Olabode Agoro; and Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, attended the service to bid farewell to the late Soyannwo.

The service was also attended by members of the Lagos State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, religious and traditional leaders, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, public servants, as well as family, friends, and associates of the deceased.

Soyannwo, who was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff by Governor Sanwo-Olu in 2019 and re-appointed in 2023, passed away on May 15 at the age of 55 after a brief illness.

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During the funeral service, Governor Sanwo-Olu described Soyannwo as the engine room of his administration, noting that his death created a significant void. 

He encouraged the family to find solace in the fact that Soyannwo lived a good life and positively impacted many lives.

The governor described Soyannwo as “a brother, an armor-bearer, a confidant, and a faithful believer in the collective dream of a Greater Lagos,” praising him as a dedicated team player who worked tirelessly for the administration’s success. He added that Soyannwo was a firm believer in impactful governance, passionate about development, and dutiful in his service.

In her emotional tribute, the widow, Yewande Soyannwo, eulogized her late husband, describing him as a great partner and lover, with whom she spent the best years of her life during their 24 years of marriage. She appealed for forgiveness from anyone her late husband might have offended, acknowledging that death is inevitable.

“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.

Pastor Dapo Akinosun, in his exhortation, read from Proverbs 22:29 and Romans 12:14, prayed for the repose of the deceased, and urged those present to use their positions to better the lives of the less privileged, exemplifying the selflessness of Jesus Christ.

During the service, the Lagos State chapter Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Revd. Stephen Adegbite, offered prayers for the entire Soyannwo family and the Lagos State Government.