National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has expressed shock over the death of his chief security officer, Lateef Raheem.
In a tribute on Saturday, Tinubu said his CSO reported for work on Monday but went home after feeling unwell.
“We spoke on Wednesday by phone. He was in fine spirits and was looking forward to resuming work,” he wrote.
“I felt nothing but profound shock, and then the emptiness of deep loss when I was awakened early Friday that my most trusted security aide had died and that I would never see him again. I did not know the Wednesday conversation would be our last. The pain of his loss is acute.”
Mr Raheem died on Friday morning of complications from diabetes and high blood pressure.
The 51-year-old was buried later that day in accordance with Muslim rites.
On the deceased’s personality, Tinubu wrote: “Lateef was a person of strong and resilient character. He never sought special treatment or favor despite his years of loyal and excellent service to me. He never took his work or his valued position as my aide for granted. He knew I relied on him and trusted him explicitly.
“But Lateef never tried to take selfish advantage of his important position. He was forthright and honest to a fault. This man was one who completely focused on his job and doing it to the best of his ability. He did everything with care and devotion. Lateef made sure everything worked well. He was smart, active and always on alert. He was indeed a rarity as a professional and more so as a person. He never complained or even let it be known that he had these medical conditions. It just was not in his character. He was committed to giving his all to his work.
“Lateef was not a boisterous or extravagant personality. He was understated but so very kind and considerate to others. He spoke quietly and was not a man of many words. Yet, undergirding that gentle mien was a tough, firm and solid personality. Lateef was a topnotch police officer.”
Tinubu said he met Raheem in early 1999 when he was seconded to him by the police during the campaign for the governorship election in Lagos.
“As head of my security, Lateef had a permanent seat in my vehicle. Whenever I saw him there, I felt assured and relaxed. Now, I will look to his seat but not see him. I will miss him because that was truly his seat,” he added.
“…When he joined me, Lateef was a Corporal with school certificate. Because of his thirst for knowledge and personal improvement, he subsequently acquired a university degree. He did not stop there. He kept growing.
“When he passed, Lateef had risen to the level of Assistant Superintendent of Police. To say I will miss Lateef is to understate my feeling for him and what our relationship had matured into. Someone may have to fill his position but they can never truly take his place for Lateef was one-of-a-kind.
“Lateef dedicated his life to a cause, our progressive cause. He believed Nigeria could become better and that government had a vital role to play in enhancing security and prosperity so that the lives of the people might improve. He was a true patriot. We must continue to push to make the progressive dream we shared become our reality.”
The APC leader commiserated with the deceased widows and children and prayed for fortitude to bear the loss and for the repose of Raheem’s soul.
“With his passing, they have lost a caring husband and father,” Tinubu wrote.
