President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his condolences to the family of former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi as well as friends and professional colleagues of the late “acclaimed economist, eminent industrialist, playwright and promoter of arts and culture.”

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on media and publicity in Abuja on Thursday, the President also commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State. He urged them to be consoled by the fact that Chief Gbadamosi’s contributions in diverse fields of life would be appreciated for a long time.

The statement expressed the President’s belief that the nation will remain ever grateful for the meritorious and exemplary roles the late development expert played not only as a minister, but also as a former chairman of the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

The President said that “there is no doubting the fact that the economic development of Nigeria was always uppermost in his mind.” He prayed that the almighty God will grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest, and comfort his family.

Chief Rasheed passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 72. He will be buried today according to the Islamic rites at his 72, Sule Oyesola Gbadamosi Crescent, Oke-Ota Ona, Ikorodu, Lagos, by 2.00 p.m.