n All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Lagos State, Alhaja Ramota Bankole, is dead.
Alhaja Bankole, who was said to have celebrated her 60th birthday recently, is one of the over 900 pilgrims killed by intense heatwave in Saudi Arabia during this year’s hajj.
The Lagos State chapter of the APC has described the death of Alhaja Bankole, who was the State Welfare Secretary of the party as unfortunate and shocking.
Bankole, one of the Lagos APC women leaders from the Epe Division, died while performing a Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Seye Oladejo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that late Bankole was a committed member of the party.
“Her death is most shocking and unfortunate. She was a committed and experienced party leader.
“The deceased was a proven mobiliser and inspiration for women’s participation in politics. May her precious soul be in peace,” Oladejo said.
NAN reports that the Chairman of Epe Local Government, Ms Surah Animashaun, had on Thursday confirmed Bankole’s death.
Animashaun, in a statement, said that the deceased was hale and hearty before leaving the country for Hajj pilgrimage.
She said: “It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that I received the news of the death of Alhaja Ramota Bankole.
“It is a sad day indeed as I received the news that she died in the holy land of Mecca while on holy pilgrimage.
“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.”
Meanwhile over 900 pilgrims died from heatwave during the five-day activities for the 2024 Hajj.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the scorching heat in Saudi Arabia led to deaths among at least 600 Egyptians.
While putting the total figure at 922, according to a tally, it said many old and infirm, took part in the days-long, mostly outdoor pilgrimage, held this year during the oven-like Saudi summer.
“Relatives scoured hospitals and pleaded online for news, fearing the worst after temperatures hit 51.8°C in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, on Monday.
