So Sad! Former Minister of National Planning dies at 72

A former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, is dead. Gbadamosi, who was a leading industrialist, art collector, and writer, died Wednesday at the age of 72.

Although he was still active on the socio-cultural scene, he was said to have suffered from multiple strokes since last year and had recently gone abroad for medical treatment.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, confirmed the death of the man who was also the co-chairman of the Lagos @50 Planning Committee.

The Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, is the chairman.

Ayorinde said, “The Lagos State Government mourns the passing of a leading industrialist, art patron, former minister and co-chairman of the Lagos@50, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.

“Chief Gbadamosi will be remembered for being a true Lagosian, a nationalist and an art aficionado.”

Ayorinde added that his remains would be interred on Thursday (today) afternoon.

Among his other strides in the business world, Gbadamosi was chairman, Ragolis Water Ltd., AIICO Pension Managers and Lucky Fibres Nig. Plc.

He was also a former chairman of Bank of Industry.

On the political front, Gbadamosi was also a former chairman, Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency.

Besides, Gbadamosi was deeply involved in creative development.

As a playwright, he authored Trees Grow in the Desert, which has been widely performed.

He was a founding member of the MUSON Centre, Lagos, while he was one of Nigeria’s biggest art collectors.

Indeed, at a time, he and the founder of the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Foundation, Prince Yemisi Adedoyin; and the late businessman, Mr. Sammy Olagbaju, were described as the three musketeers of visual arts in Nigeria.

Incidentally, Olagbaju also passed on recently.

As a result of Gbadamosi’s involvement in the art and culture, stakeholders have received news of his death with shock.

According to a seasoned artist, Kolade Oshinowo, the development is disturbing.

He told our correspondent on the phone on Wednesday, “I have been on the telephone since about an hour ago. People have been calling me from different parts of the country.

“It is a huge shock to us because it is happening when we have not fully recovered from the demise of Mr. Olagbaju. It is painful that we are losing those who have supported the arts.

“He was involved in performance, music, visual, literary and other aspects of the arts. I don’t think many people will forget his contributions to the industry.”

On his part, Shyllon, who noted that he and Gbadamosi had a long-time relationship as co-art patrons, family friends and business partners, described his passage as very painful.

According to him, Gbadamosi was a selfless man who touched the lives of many people and institutions.