Asiwaju Bola Tinubu breaks his silence following his first son, Jide Tinubu's death

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said he had suffered a grave loss” as he spoke on the death of his son, Jide, saying he wished he could bring him back.

Since the politician’s son died on Wednesday at the age of 37, several prominent Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had sent condolence messages to the APC chieftain. In a statement on Friday, Tinubu said he would miss his son, disclosing that he died of cardiac arrest.

Statement by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Passing on of Son Kazeem Olajide Babajide (Oct.12, 1980-Oct.31st 2017).

ABOUT JIDE:

(Kazeem Olajide Babajide Tinubu, Born October 12th 1980)

We want to express our thanks and deep appreciation to all who have demonstrated their sympathy and expressed their condolences over the loss of our eldest son, Jide. I want to especially thank President Muhammadu Buhari, VP Yemi Osinbajo, the state Governors, distinguished Senators particularly Senate President Bukola Saraki, members of the House of Representatives, APC leaders and members and indeed all Nigerians. I thank the traditional rulers for their display of support.

My son was a highly intelligent person with a vibrant personality and a zest for life. He followed his own course and made his own way on his own terms. Those who knew him could not help but like him. Yet, he was taken away by cardiac arrest when it seemed he had so much life to still live. This is a reminder that we must live each day to its best as none of us know when our last day shall be. Mortality comes upon us all. We have no choice in that but we do have a choice whether we shall be good or bad, just or unjust. Let us all strive toward the best in ourselves.

Jide lived for so long in London and there he has left behind a darling wife and three precious boys. My wife Remi and I have gone to London to be with them at this painful time to support and help them. Please excuse our absence from Lagos for a while but it is essential that we are with them. Prayers are being offered and will continue to be offered for the repose of his soul. I have suffered a grave loss that no parent would like to bear. As a father, I must spend time putting my arms around the family he has left behind.

We must seek a lesson in every loss. Your reaction to my son’s passing has taught me that we can be a people of profound love and humanity when we want to be. People of every tribe, region, faith and every political affiliation have expressed their sympathy and extended to me the embrace of a brother or sister. Even those who don’t agree with me politically have shown strong support and care indistinguishable from that of my associates. This says so much about the innate goodness in all of us. For no matter what, we are not foes or enemies. We are all of one human stock, a single nation, one family.

I wish I could bring my son back but I cannot. However, what I can do is to be more caring and helpful to the living as I know this is what Jide would want to become of his passing. Let us all take a lesson from this and think a bit more about our fellow man, our neighbor, our fellow Nigeria. Let us live as we were meant to live with each other in greater peace, compassion and love. If only this can happen, I know my son will be happy.

Again, as we are away from Lagos, we thank you for the love you have shown and ask that you not only show it to us but to each other. Please continue to pray for him wherever you are.

Thank you and may God bless you all.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
November 3, 2017.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has condoled with Tinubu’s family over the death of his first son, Jide.
In a statement on Friday by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo, the governor regretted that Jide died at a time he was about to join his father in contributing to the nation’s growth and development.

The statement said, “I received with rude shock and sad news of the death of Jide at a very young age. On behalf of the people of Imo State, I express my heartfelt sympathy and urge the APC leader to take heart and bear the great loss with courage." “I equally pray that the gentle soul of Mr. Jide Tinubu rests in perfect peace.”
Below is the late Jide Tinubu's real pic (as shared by his dad, Bola Tinubu), as a lot of fake pics have been circulating online: