Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday joined the former head of state Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and others in attending the funeral service of founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Subomi Balogun.
Balogun, who was the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland and the Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians, passed on at the age of 89 in London on Friday, May 18.
The funeral service, which was a Holy Communion service, held at The Cathedral Church Of Our Saviour, Italawajoda, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, was presided over by the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Remo Diocese, The Most. Revd. Dr. Micheal Fape and assisted by the Diocesan Bishop of Ijebu, The Rt. Revd. Dr. Peter Oludipe.
Also present at the funeral were Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; former secretary-general of the Commonwealth Nations, Emeka Anyaoku; special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on monetary policy, Wale Edun; former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), business moguls, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and Rasak Okoya; president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; and Afenifere leader, Ayo Opadokun.
Former and present public office holders, politicians, captains of industry, bank executives, bishops, priests, traditional rulers and leaders, family and friends of the deceased home and abroad, management and staff of FCMB and people of Ijebuland, as well as sons and daughters of Ogun State, also attended the funeral service to bid Balogun farewell.
Speaking at the service, Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said Otunba Balogun was an extraordinary individual who changed the course of history in Nigeria and the world.
He said: “We give gratitude to Almighty God for bringing Otunba Subomi Balogun to the world. The world is going to remain grateful to him (Balogun) even much longer than he lived. So, we are here to celebrate life.
“He is an extraordinary individual who changed the course of history. May his legacy continue to inspire generations to come. We pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
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Governor Sanwo-Olu described the late Otunba Balogun as a renowned technocrat, seasoned administrator and philanthropist, who made a mark in the country by contributing to the growth and development of the banking sector in Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued earlier by his chief press secretary Gboyega Akosile, commended Balogun’s contribution to the economy of Nigeria as boardroom guru and employer of labour, especially as the founder of FCMB, among several other companies.
Governor Abiodun in his address during the funeral service said the late founder of FCMB is a proud son of Ijebuland and Ogun State, noting that he is a “colossus of our time.”
He said Balogun was a philanthropist who loved and served God, adding that the deceased lived a fulfilled life with a good legacy.
In his sermon entitled, “The righteous would be separated from the wicked on the Judgement Day” Most Revd Micheal Fape, urged people to live a righteous life and impact their communities, states and nations positively.
He described the late Balogun as a friend of the church, who contributed positively to the church. He therefore urged the family of the deceased not to allow Balogun’s name to go into oblivion.
