Sanwoolu renames Onikan stadium after first ever Lagos State governor Mobolaji Johnson

GOVERNOR Babajide Sanwoolu has renamed the Onikan Stadium after the first ever administrator of Lagos State Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson as a post-humous honour to general who passed away on October 31.

In July 1967, Lagos State was created during the regime of former head of state General Yakubu Gowon, carved out of the then Western Region. Following its creation, the then Major Mobolaji Johnson was named as its first ever military administrator and governed Lagos State until July 1975.

Speaking yesterday during a day of tribute for the late administrator, Governor Sanwoolu said the stadium would now be known as the Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson Stadium. At the event, Governor Sanwoolu had extolled the virtues of Brigadier Johnson, describing him as a distinguished man and a great patriot and an accomplished administrator who re-engineered the modern Lagos.

He said Brigadier Johnson, although a soldier, was never authoritarian and never ruled with an iron hand but with a compassionate mind. Governor Sanwoolu further described him as a great man with many parts, saying that the scope of his accomplishment was great, adding that Brigadier Johnson was a quintessential manager of resources.

Governor Sanwoolu said: “He was always willing to offer the right counsel. He was a regular feature at most of the ground-breaking events in Lagos State and his indelible reward for service remained intact and without blame, while the projects he executed are still visible today."

Another former governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, added: “He did not compromise in his profession, he left a good legacy in public service and he laid a durable foundation for Lagos State. He served the people and made them the cornerstone of social and economic policies.

“Johnson embarked on re-engineering and assembled the best cabinet to show transparency at that time and he showed courage and strong determination for the benefit  Lagos State. His retirement was sudden following the coup in 1975 but he lived a life of great contentment."

Others who spoke at the event were former military administrators Ndubuisi Kanu, Raji Rasaki and Olagunsoye Oyinlola respectively and former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba. They all extolled the virtue of Brigadier Johnson and wished him eternal rest.