President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday led eminent Nigerians to Erunwon, near Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, to bid farewell to foremost industrialist, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo.

The eminent lawyer died on October 7, 2023, few months to his centenary celebration.

President Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. 

Other dignitaries at the event included Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; two former Ogun State Governors Olusegun Osoba and Ibikunle Amosun; former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, and a former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

Speaking at the funeral service, President Tinubu described the late boardroom guru, philanthropist and corporate leader as a lover of God Almighty and his people.

He urged members of the family to remain united as they prepared to take over the mantle of leadership from their departed patriarch.

The President urged residents of Ogun State and other parts of the country 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.

Governor Abiodun said the late Ogunbanjo made impressionable contributions to national economic policy, encouraged Nigerians to own and be part of the management of foreign companies 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.

A cleric, Venerable Ebenezer Abiala, described the late Ogunbanjo as a man with lots of humour.

He urged the congregation to learn from the life of service to humanity, which the late Ogunbanjo devoted his life to.

Source: The Nation