Eminent Nigerians yesterday thronged Erunwon community in Ogun State to pay their last respect to foremost industrialist, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, who died on October 7, 2023, few months to his centenary celebration.
It was the celebration of a life well spent with President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
Also in attendance were the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; two former governors of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
Others were former Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Udo Udoma; the new Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Chief Sunny Kuku; Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo; former deputy governor of Lagos State, Sinatu Ojikutu, among others.
Speaking at the funeral, President Tinubu described the boardroom guru, philanthropist and corporate Nigeria leader as a lover of God and his people. He called on members of his family to remain united as they prepare to take over the mantle of leadership from their late patriarch. President Tinubu further called on the people of the state and the country as a whole to emulate the late philanthropist.
“The lesson we can learn is to emulate his wonderful character while he lived. He was a fine and extraordinary man.
“Papa has gone and left a wonderful family behind. To the members of the family, be as united and solid as ever as you prepare to take over the mantle of leadership from your wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun said the late Ogunbanjo made impressionable contributions to national economic policy, acknowledging him for encouraging Nigerians to own and be part of the management of foreign companies in the country.
Abiodun also described late deceased as a colossus and a phenomenon, commending him for championing and advocating for the beginning of domiciliary accounts in the country.
“He made impressionable contributions to national economic policy. He encouraged Nigerians to own and be part of the management of foreign companies in Nigeria.
“He was the champion and advocate for the domiciliary accounts in Nigeria. This later came into existence formally through the foreign currency decree of 1985,” he said.
Earlier in his message, Venerable Ebenezer Abiala described the deceased as a man with lots of humour, calling on the congregation to learn from his life of service to humanity.
