Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sent a formal condolence message to opposition politician Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour following the death of his mother, Mrs. Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour.
The governor’s message was released Tuesday through a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Gboyega Akosile. Sanwo-Olu asked the Rhodes-Vivour family to find strength in faith and in the memory of the deceased.
Sanwo-Olu Extends Lagos Government’s Sympathy to Rhodes-Vivour Family
“On behalf of my family, the government, and good people of Lagos State, I sympathize with Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, his siblings, and other family members on the demise of Mrs. Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour,” the governor said in the statement.
Sanwo-Olu described the late Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour as someone who would be remembered for her wisdom and the counsel she offered to those around her. He urged the family to draw comfort from the quality of life she lived rather than dwell solely on the grief of her passing.
“I know this is a painful loss to the Rhodes-Vivour family, as the late matriarch will be sorely missed for the elderly and wise counsel she was known for,” he added.
The governor also offered prayers for the repose of her soul and asked God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss.
Rhodes-Vivour is the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State. His political profile has kept him in the public eye, and the news of his mother’s passing drew swift reactions from across the political divide, the governor’s response among them.
Rhodes-Vivour Announces Mother’s Death, Family Releases Tribute
Rhodes-Vivour had announced the passing of his mother on Monday through a post on his X account. The announcement was signed by his brother, Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, on behalf of the family. Funeral arrangements were not disclosed at the time, with the family stating details would be communicated in due course.
In a tribute that accompanied the announcement, the Rhodes-Vivour family described the late Mrs. Nkechi Rhodes-Vivour as a woman whose kindness shaped the lives of people around her. They called her “a loving wife, devoted mother, and grandmother” whose life was defined by love and selflessness.
“She loved fiercely and gave endlessly. In her arms we found home; in her smile, we found peace. A wife who cherished and a mother who nurtured, her love was our shelter, and it remains, unshaken, in every heart she held. Though she is gone from our sight, she is never gone from our hearts,” the family said.
The tribute was consistent in tone with the public image Rhodes-Vivour has maintained of a close-knit family during his years in Lagos politics.
Political Condolences Cross Party Lines in Lagos
Sanwo-Olu’s decision to publicly condole with Rhodes-Vivour is notable given that the two men have stood on opposing sides of Lagos governorship contests. The governor’s statement did not reference politics and was framed strictly as a personal and governmental expression of sympathy.
Condolence messages from public officials crossing partisan lines are standard practice in Nigerian political culture, but the specific exchange between Sanwo-Olu and Rhodes-Vivour carries added weight given the competitive history of their political engagement in Lagos.
Details on the late Mrs. Nkechi Rhodes-Vivour’s age and the circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately available. No cause of death was disclosed in either the family’s announcement or any subsequent statement.
The Rhodes-Vivour family has not yet confirmed a date or venue for burial arrangements. The family said a formal announcement would follow in the coming days.
Sanwo-Olu’s office did not indicate whether the governor planned a personal visit to the family home. The condolence was conveyed through the official statement released by his media team.
