SEC, NSE, CIS, others eulogise Onosode at ‘ night of tributes’

Encomiums poured forth, as the capital market and financial institution experts in the country, led by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), at the weekend, organised a service of songs and night of tributes in honour of Late Dr. Gamaliel Onosode.

Speaking at the programme, the Director-General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo, represented by the Director of Collective Investment Scheme of the commission, Ms. Mary Uduk, described Onosode as a colossus advocate of SEC, saying that his support and contributions to the capital market regulations were inestimable.

“The 10-year master plan of the SEC was pioneered by him. His role as chairman of quoted companies has been highly referenced. He was the founding father of corporate governance , transparency and accountability”, he said.

The Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello said Onosode helped the university to benchmark with world best institutions when he was Pro-Chancellor of the university.

According to him, Onosode ensured that changing of University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University was reversed as a wish of university community.
“His contributions in the university cannot be quantified. He introduced private sector orientation and 25-year strategic plan which helped to move the university forward.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Oscar Onyema described Late Onosode as a man like no other.

“He is man’s man, a leader of leaders and it is not surprising that he has attracted several sincere tributes across religions and professions globally. All these accolades, he so rightly earned”, Onyema said.

He explained that Onosode laid strong foundation for the NSE’s Investors’ Protection Fund (IPF) as the Chairman of the board of trustees, noting that the NSE IPF Fund was established to compensate investors for pecuniary losses which was as a result of wrong doing by certain dealing member firms of the exchange.

“He was the best man for the job and we will sorely miss him. However, we take solace in his laudable achievements which will remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

“Dr. Onosode was a beautiful gift to Nigeria. The corporate world was only privileged to enjoy the abundance of what the whole of Nigeria should have enjoyed when he offered himself to serve as the president of our dear nation”, Onyema added.

President and Chairman of Council of CIS, Oluwaseyi Abe described Late Onosode as ‘embodiment of positive virtues and values’.

According to him, Pa Onosode was a Fellow of the institute and the number one member of the institute with membership number FCS001.

“He was the inaugural President and Chairman of Council of the institute from 1995 to 2001, and was elected a life member of the Governing Council of the institute.”

He added that he was a major driver of the Governing Council until he voluntarily retired in 2013 upon attaining the ripe- age of 80 years.

“ Onosode contributed immensely to the stockbroking profession and the enhancement of the status of stockbrokers in Nigeria. Under his leadership, the institute commenced conducting independent professional examinations after taking over the certification of stockbrokers from NSE and the institute was also admitted as a Member of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria during his tenure of office”.

Onosode, according to Abe, was the Pioneer Recipient of the Platinum Award of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, an award he received in 2002.

He explained that he was also the Chairman, Board of Fellows of the Institute from 21st of October, 1998 up until 22nd of May, 2013.

“The undisputable doyen of the stockbroking profession, Deacon (Dr) Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode, OFR, FCS attained octogenarian status on Wednesday 22nd May, 2013. on this date, he voluntarily retired from active participation in the activities of the institute.

“Mr Onosode consistently maintained his ‘first’ status in everything concerning the institute. He was the first member of the institute to pledge and redeem a donation of N1 million towards the acquisition of the CIS Secretariat in 2013.

“An exemplary leader and a role model, Mr Onosode was known for his forthrightness, transparency and integrity. Up until his voluntary retirement at the age of 80, he was reputed for his punctuality at meetings, the incisiveness of his analysis, and the extraordinary quality of his contribution,” he added.

Gamaliel Offoritsenere Onosode was born in May 22, 1933 and passed away on September 29, 2015, at the age of 82.