- Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari Mourns Florence Saraki says, “She lived a fulfilled life with numerous accomplishments.”
By Abiola Olawale
Tributes have begun to pour in for the late Madam Florence Morenkeji Saraki, mother of a former governor of Kwara State and a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
The passing of Florence Saraki was confirmed by the former president of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Saraki announced the passing of his mother on Tuesday evening in a post on X.
Saraki tweeted: “With profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty God, I announce the passing of my beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch, Chief Mrs Florence Morenike Saraki, who peacefully transitioned today, Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.
“Details regarding funeral arrangements will be shared in due course. We appreciate your love, prayers, and support as we mourn Mama’s passing.”
The late Florence died a few weeks before her 89th birthday on August 8, 2022. She was from the Ibidapo family in Owo, Ondo State. She was survived by four children: Bukola Saraki, Gbemisola Saraki, a former senator and Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development; Temitope Edu, a legal practitioner and businesswoman; and Laolu Saraki, who served as a Special Assistant to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, has penned his heartfelt condolences to the family of Saraki over the death of their mother.
The monarch described the deceased “as a wonderful mother, a great philanthropist and virtuous wife of Dr Olusola Saraki, the late Waziri of Ilorin whose contributions to humanity will forever be remembered.”
This is contained in a condolence message issued by the Emir’s spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowana, on Wednesday.
The message reads in part: “Alhaji Sulu-Gambari sends his heartfelt condolences to Dr. Bukola Saraki, a two-term governor of Kwara State and former Senate President of Nigeria as well as his siblings over the demise of their beloved matriarch.”
He also extends his condolences to both immediate and extended family members of the deceased, stressing that, “Late Madam Florence Morenike Saraki lived a fulfilled life with numerous accomplishments.”
The monarch therefore prayed that Almighty God repose her soul and grant the families the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Also, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State in a statement issued on Wednesday has condoled with the Saraki family on the death of their matriarch.
In the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, Abdulrazaq prayed to God to grant the Saraki family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The statement reads in part: “The governor urges the family to be consoled by the fine legacies of their matriarch.
“‘He prayed to God for the repose of her soul and to uphold the family.”
