Epe Leaders Pay Tribute To Ramota Bankole

Epe leaders, including Wale Raji, Surah Animashaun, Seriki Bamu, and Abiodun Tobun, have paid tribute to Alhaja Ramota Bankole.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Hon. Wale Raji, Member of the House of Representatives for Epe Federal Constituency; Seriki Akanni (Bamu), the APC leader in Epe; Princess Surah Animashaun, Chairman of Epe Local Government; Hon. Abiodun Tobun, Member of Lagos House of Assembly for Epe Constituency I, and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu (Sketel) have all mourned Ramota Bankole, a Lagos APC chieftain.

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The Epe leaders paid their tributes to the deceased in separate statements on Thursday and Friday.

Bankole, one of the prominent APC women leaders in Epe and Lagos State, passed away on Thursday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, while on holy pilgrimage.

The death of the former welfare secretary of Lagos APC came about a month after she celebrated her 60th birthday.

Reacting to the politician’s demise, Hon. Raji described her as a committed, dedicated, and hard working party stalwart who stopped at nothing to get results on every task assigned to her.

“Her death [sic] is going to be sorely missed in the political and community circle where she was serving and impacting,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

“We pray God grants her family and associates the fortitude to bear this huge loss and grant her eternal rest.”

Former Lagos APC Welfare Secretary, Ramota Bankole, mourned by Epe leaders

Similarly, the Epe LG chairman described Alhaja Bankole’s passing as sad and unfortunate, saying she was hale and hearty before embarking on pilgrimage.

“It is a sad day indeed as I received the news that she died in the holy land of Mecca while on holy pilgrim,” Animashaun said.

“I extend my condolences to the Bankole family, APC members and the entire people of Epe on the unfortunate demise of our dear Sister and Mummy.

“May God grant her family the fortitude to bear this unfortunate loss.”

Likewise, Alhaji Akanni mourned the deceased, describing her as a supportive partner in ensuring the progress of Epe and Lagos State.

He prayed for the repose of her soul while condoling her family for their loss.

Also, Hon. Tobun paid tribute to Alhaja Bankole, saying she will be sorely missed for her impact on the development of Epe Division.

Hon. Ogunkelu echoed his fellow lawmaker, noting that the deceased lived a fulfilling life worthy of emulation.

Additionally, Hon. Akinloye Monsuru Ismail, the Eredo LCDA Chairman and Akogun Wale Raji Anomo, Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA Chairman, mourned the APC chieftain, saying she will be remembered for being a champion for local development.

Eko Hot Blog also joins the friends, family, and associates of the late political leader in mourning her departure.

Her drive and passion for the development of her community will not be quickly forgotten. We wish her loved ones the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Who Was Alhaja Ramota Bankole?

Alhaja Bankole was born in Epe, Lagos State.

Born on May 19, 1964, she was 60 at the time of her death.

The deceased was widely known for her political astuteness in and outside of Epe, helping her to be elected the Welfare Secretary of the Lagos branch of the APC in May 2018.

Until her demise, Alhaja Bankole was a respected political figure in Epe and Lagos State.

‘Over 1,000’ Pilgrims, Including At Least 15 Nigerians, Die Or Go Missing in Saudi Arabia

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the death of 15 Nigerian pilgrims, including Alhaja Bankole.

Also, a report by AFP on Wednesday indicated that at least 550 pilgrims from Islamic countries died due to the extreme heat during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The reports noted that 323 of the total number of dead were Egyptian citizens.

The air temperature in Mecca during the Hajj this year reaches almost 52 degrees Celsius.

A departing Muslim pilgrim has a drink from a man as he sits next to other women in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca on June 20, 2024. (Photo by Abdel Ghani BASHIR / AFP)

However, another report by NewsNow indicated that more than 1,400 people are missing or presumed dead in this year’s annual Hajj due to the intense heat.

On June 16, Reuters reported that 14 pilgrims from Jordan were killed and 17 others went missing in Saudi Arabia.

Pilgrim deaths are often caused by extreme heat or overcrowding.