Corporate Nigeria led by the Nigerian Exchange Group on Tuesday paid tribute to a former Chairman of the group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who died in a helicopter crash in the US earlier this month.
This took place at an Afternoon of Tributes and Closing Gong Ceremony organised by the Nigerian Exchange Group in collaboration with the Coronation Group.
Among those who graced the occasion were businessman and former President of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Dr Oba Otudeko; Chairman of Coronation Group Mr Aigboje Aig-Imuokhuede; Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Umaru Kwairanga; and Group Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Mr Temi Popoola, among other dignitaries.
In his opening remarks, Kwairanga hailed the late Ogunbanjo’s profound impact and emphasised his role in steering the successful completion of the demutualisation process of the group.
Kwairanga said, “Ogunbanjo was not merely a leader, but a beacon of light and a guiding force within the community.”
He mentioned his immense contribution to reshaping the group’s trajectory in the West African sub-region.
Aig-Imuokhuede, who also lost his friend and the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, in the crash, stated the unparalleled commitment demonstrated by Ogunbanjo throughout the demutualisation process, saying “You served the world in a way only few could do.”
Popoola echoed the sentiments of admiration and gratitude, highlighting Ogunbanjo’s unwavering dedication to the exchange’s success and seamless leadership transitions.
Otudeko in his tribute portrayed Ogunbanjo as a gentleman whose simplicity, brilliance, and doggedness were instrumental during the demutualisation process.
Otudeko said, “In our culture, I should not but we have a corporate responsibility and here we are performing this very unpleasant assignment. What is very clear to us is that the late Bimbo was a wonderful star that was rising but was cut short in the middle of his time.
“The collection of people here confirms his place in the NGX Group, a place that coordinates and manages the capital of the economy. As a living thing, the NGX went through its metamorphosis to get to where we are today because of the skills and professionalism of investors and the system identifies people wired to deal with particular problems, which led to Bimbo becoming president at the time he became president.”
The President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Oluwole Adeosun, in his tribute, said, “With the institute, he shared significant moments as the primary institute of his field of expertise. The late Ogunbanjo was a thoroughbred capital market professional who followed his father’s footsteps as managing partner of the renowned corporate law firm Chris Ogunbanjo LP Solicitors, he also served on the boards of capital market-connected institutions.
