A former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunji-Isola, has expressed sadness over the death of Monsurat Bankole, mother of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

Mr Tunji-Ishola stated this on Saturday in a statement signed by him to journalists in Abuja.

She died on Friday after a brief illness at 79.

The former envoy, who commiserated with the family, said the deceased led a fulfilled life.

“I commiserate with our most respected father, Chief Alani Bankole, on the death of his dear wife. My heart goes out also to my brother, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dimeji Bankole, son of Alhaja Monsurat Atinuke Bankole, on this bereavement,” he said.

He said the death of Alhaja Bankole, coming a few days after that of Alhaja Adebisi Edionseri, alias Cash Madam, robbed the state of another woman of substance.

“We however take consolation in the fact that both of them led fulfilled lives and left behind worthy legacies,” he said.

Mr Tunji-Isola, who is also the Baba Adinni of Ogun State, prayed Almighty Allah to “accept the return of Alhaja Monsurat Atinuke Bankole as a devout Muslim and grant her soul Al Jannah Firdaus.”

He also prayed to Allah to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

(NAN)