President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila and former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday extolled the virtues of the late First Governor of Lagos State Brig, Gen. Mobolaji Johnson.
Johnson died on Wednesday at the age of 83

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President commiserated with family members, friends and associates of the former governor, who he said had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Army, starting out as a cadet in 1959 and retiring in 1975.
“As the first Governor of Lagos State, which was then the Federal Capital Territory, President Buhari affirmed that Brigadier-General Johnson laid a solid foundation for the development of infrastructure in the state and provided a good framework for the civil service.”
The President noted that the late Johnson’s footprints in promoting education and building durable health system would always be remembered.
President Buhari also prayed that the almighty God would accept the soul of the departed, while calling on all leaders of the state and citizens to uphold the legacies of discipline and selfless service bequeathed by Brigadier-General Johnson.
Former President Obasanjo described Johnson as an incorruptible, detribalised and humane public officer, who would be sorely missed.
Obasanjo in a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, added that Johnson was a great man who wrote himself into an enviable page in the history of Nigeria.

The former president, who was in Istanbul, Turkey, when the news of Johnson’s death broke, said the late military governor was “a disciplined, detribalised, transparent and humane public officer with an enviable track record.”
According to him, Johnson was highly respected by his peers and revered by his subordinates for his sound knowledge of the public service and wealth of experience in civil service matters.

Obasanjo said: “He left behind an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership, a legacy of forthrightness, thoroughness and unwavering commitment to public good. I recall that he was a pillar of trust and an iconic reference point when in 1975 the Murtala/Obasanjo regime embarked on a clean sweep of the morally-bankrupt public service.
“He was, indeed, a great man who wrote for himself an enviable page in history with his service to the nation and humanity.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila described Johnson’s demise as a painful loss.
The Speaker said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, that the first Lagos State governor would be remembered for his good leadership qualities and the foundation he laid for the development of the state.
Gbajabiamila, who commiserated with the family of the late Johnson, the people and government of Lagos State, prayed for the repose of his soul.
The Speaker said: “The passing away of Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson is indeed a sad loss. He would surely be missed by all Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole.
“My thoughts are with his family at this time. I pray the God Almighty grants his soul a peaceful resting place.”