Nigeria

Lateef Raheem: Bola Tinubu pays heartfelt tribute to late chief security aide

Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 10:11 PM by Rahaman Abiola

- Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the death of his 'most trusted security aide', Lateef Raheem, as the one that "cuts severely"

- Raheem, 51, passed away due to complications from high blood pressure and diabetes on Friday, April 24

- In a heartfelt tribute, Tinubu described late Raheem as an "extraordinary and most trusted security aide" who later became a partner and trustworthy friend

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, All Progressive Congress (APC) national leader, has paid a heartfelt tribute to his "extraordinary and most trusted security aide,'' Alhaji Lateef Raheem, who passed away on Friday, April 24, due to complications from high blood pressure and diabetes.

In a tribute to the deceased posted on his Twitter handle, overtly grief-stricken Tinubu described late Raheem's death as a colossal loss which "cuts severely."

The APC leader expressed shock over Raheem's death and added that he had conversation with the deceased on Wednesday, April 23, two days after he reported to work only to complain he was feeling a bit under the weather.

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"He was in fine spirits and was looking forward to resuming work. 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," Tinubu said.

"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."

Swinging the pendulum back on his relationship with late Raheem, Tinubu said he met his deceased chief security officer in early 1999 when he was a governor of Lagos state.

He noted that the relationship between him and Raheem moved beyond boss-servant because the deceased became more than a security officer who he ultimately entrusted with responsibilities of his safety.

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Asiwaju Tinubu described late Raheem as "a partner, a trustworthy friend" who in him "he felt assured and relaxed" whenever he occupied his seat in his (Tinubu's) vehicle.

He then prayed to God to forgive Raheem who he described as devoted Muslims and prayed that God gives the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Warrant Officer Lawal Mato, one of the personal bodyguards of President Muhammadu Buhari died on Tuesday, April 21, after struggling with diabetes.

The presidency in a statement through, Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson, disclosed that the deceased who had been off full duty for three years was treating diabetes.

Mato was said to be part of a team that former president, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, restored to President Buhari as personal security.