Top government officials, captains of industries, friends and associates of the late Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Ltd Group Abimbola Ogunbanjo, gathered on Friday in Ikoyi, Lagos, to bid him farewell.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ogunbanjo, Group CEO of Access Holdings, late Dr Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, died on February 9 in a helicopter crash in Southern California, USA.
Among those who attended the funeral service of Ogunbanjo at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ikoyi, was Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, former governors of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel.
Also present were the founder, Chairman, and CEO of the Dangote Group, the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman of Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, among others.
The church auditorium was filled by mourners dressed dominantly in black dress.
Abiodun described the late Ogunbanjo as an intellectual, focused, intentional, perfectionist, good, loyal, dependable, reliable and a consistent friend and brother.
“Bimbola has an infectious smile; he was as debonair as was quintessential in his disposition and appearance; Bimbo was a good man and a jolly good fellow. From the outpouring of emotions, love, support and condolences; he lived an impactful life and will be sorely missed.
“If tears could bring back the dead, Bimbo will be alive today.
“I am not standing here today just as Abimbola’s state governor, but as his brother, friend and on behalf of my family and the good people of Ogun State who have lost an illustrious son,” he said.
Diocesan Bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Okupevi, said that death was imminent, hence, “we must all make hay while the sun shines.”
According to Okupevi, there is a time and season for everything on earth, and as such, late Ogunbanjo’s time on earth has elapsed and that is why he passed away.
“Let us put our trust in the Lord that our late brother is in a better place; he is no more concerned about paying school fees, travelling or about the economic woes of Nigeria and the world,” he said.
In her farewell address, the late Ogunbanjo’s daughter, Ms Ladun Ogunbanjo, expressed grieve over the death of her father, who passed on barely a month after her grandfather’s burial ceremony.
Ms Ogunbanjo revealed that her father was a central part of their lives as a family, who guided them through challenges with admirable strength and confidence.
