The first Military governor in Lagos state, Mobolaji Johnson is dead.
He passed on after a brief illness on Wednesday at the age of 83.
Current Governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, described the late Gen. Johnson as an elder statesman and officer.
“A dedicated Lagosian”, General Johnson contributed immensely to the development of Lagos state in particular and the nation in general.
As Military Governor of Lagos State, Johnson served between May 28, 1967 and July 1975, under the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
Several developmental activities were executed during his tenure some of which include: the commissioning of about 5 government colleges within the first year of his administration, development of the civil service, establishment of housing estates, construction of Eko Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge, Toikin Bridge linking Epe to Ikorodu amongst others.
One of the controversial decisions of his administration was the demolition of Ajele Cemetery at Lagos Island where the likes of Samuel Ajayi Crowder, Madam Tinubu, Thomas Babington Macaulay were buried.
Johnson was one of the two state Governors (along with Brigadier General Oluwole Rotimi) found not guilty of corruption by the three-man panel commissioned to investigate the various allegations of corruption amongst the then State Governors by former president, late General Murtala Mohammed.
General Johnson retired from the Nigerian Army in 1975 and went into private business.
Born on 9th February, 1936 to the family of Joshua Motola Johnson , he married Gbemisola Funmilayo Johnson (née Dudley-Coker), a union that produced four children; three sons and a daughter.
His father was of Egba heritage and was a member of the Royal West African Frontier Force during the World War II.
His grandfather’s last name was previously Osholero, but he changed it to Johnson after the priest who converted him to Christianity.
The Johnson family moved to Lagos during the early parts of the 20th century.
Mobolaji Johnson started his education at Reagan Memorial Baptist School, Yaba, in 1941. He then attended Hussey College, Warri, 1954.
In 1955, he moved to Methodist Boys High School Lagos, which his father also attended, and finished his secondary school education in 1957.
While in MBHS, Lagos, Mobolaji was a good all-round sports man.
In 1959, Mobolaji attended the Officer Cadet Training School in Ghana.
He also attended the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, between 1960 and 1961.
At the end of the Biafra War, Mobolaji Johnson was among the federal delegates at the end-of-the-war ceremony.
In 1966, after the abortive coup d’etat that ended the First Republic, he became Military Administrator of then federal territory of Lagos, having been appointed by the nation’s first military head of state, Aguiyi-Ironsi.
In 1967, he became the First Governor of the newly created Lagos State.
Although General Mobolaji Johnson has gone to be with his Lord and Creator, the memories of great accomplishments he left behind will linger on forever.
ANIYIKAYE SAMUEL
GLOBETELLY 