CITIZENS COMPASS— A prominent business mogul in Lagos, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, has passed away on Wednesday.
He was 93 years old.
The death was announced by the Ojora Family in a statement which said the business mogul died in the early hours.
Born on June 13, 1932, Otunba Ojora was the Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife, and held several other esteemed chieftaincy titles, including Head of the Ojora Royal Family and Olori Omoba of Lagos.
He was recognized as one of Nigeria’s most influential figures in journalism, public service, politics, and corporate governance. Notably, he served as Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until 2002.
He is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape, and children, including Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Meanwhile, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned the passage.
In his tribute to the late Otunba (Dr.) Adekunle Ojora, he said: It is with a heavy heart that I express how deeply grieved I was to hear of the death of Otunba (Dr.) Adekunle Ojora, OFR, CON, JP, at the age 93. On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I wish to commiserate with the entire members of Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos as well as the good people of Lagos State over the passing of this amiable and notable Nigerian, who in his lifetime built a living legacy of integrity, wisdom, and dedication. By his death, the country has lost a notable captain of industry and commerce but there is no doubt that his memory lingers on through his many landmark contributions to the development of the South-West zone in particular and the country in general.
Otunba Ojora pursued a career in journalism but eventually yielded to the pull of business. He worked briefly as an Assistant Editor, BBC London, 1954; appointed into Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation; appointed into The Nigerian Civil Service, 1955-61; attached to Manchester Guardian as Assistant Commonwealth Editor in Manchester, England, 1958; Public Relations Manager, United African Company Nigeria Limited, 1962-67; all of which he acquitted himself as a positively-minded, focused and imaginative personality. He was, by all measure, a great man, an ardent patriot, a frontline indigenous industrialist, an accomplished administrator, a foremost businessman and a tireless philanthropist. He was a remarkable entrepreneur whose vision, determination and resilience added value to the community and hundreds of families who depended on his commercial activities. He was a role model and exemplar whose personal life and achievements inspired a generation of entrepreneurs, industrialists and merchants. Over the years, with his wise counsel, unquestioned strength, and gentle guidance, Otunba Ojora commanded the respect and reverence of all and took, in particular, pleasure in mentoring younger men and women to succeed in life. To his family, he was their amazing father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a cornerstone of love, loyalty, and family values. Indeed, his manners and conduct while alive will continue to linger in the memories of all those whose path had crossed theirs and serve as a source of inspiration.
National and international acclamations for his consistency, had, expectedly, come by way of his conferment with honours of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1982; Officer of the Order of Commadatore of Italy, 1972; Freedom of the City of London, 1989; Grand Uffiale Al Merito Delia Republica Italiana,1992; Grand Decoration of Honour in Siler of Austria, among others. He also enjoyed great respect and affection from local communities from Lagos, region and beyond through the conferment of traditional titles of The Otunba of Lagos, 1979 and Lisa of Ife, 1981.
The finality of Otunba Adekunle Ojora is painful, especially as he would still have a lot to contribute to his family, his community and the entire nation, but we can draw solace that he lived a very responsible and caring life. He was a devout Muslim and above all, a very good family man and worthy father to all his children. His place will be difficult to fill both in the family and the community.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, and the entire Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos on this bereavement and pray that God Almighty will grant them all the fortitude to bear this great loss.
May the soul of our dearly beloved Otunba Ojora rest in perfect peace.
