Tributes

Dear Otunba, I pray that the almighty God will grant you eternal rest and grant strength to all that love and know you. It is an honour to know you. Rest on Sir, we lost a quintessential mentor and founder.

Otunba Balogun was an inspiration to all those around him and he was held in high esteem around the world. As a Nigerian, he helped bring the continent to the West and FCMB UK is a testimony to his entrepreneurial vision. He changed the world to a better place. We share in the family’s sadness. He remains in our thoughts and prayers.

RIP GREAT MAN

On behalf of Ogunsanwo's family i send my condoléances to Otunba Subomi Balogun 's Family Uncle Subomi Balogun rest in perfect peace.

An hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than oneself... Continue to find peace and rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ, olori omo akile ijebu and asiwaju onigbagbo ijebu..

Dear Otunba, You would surely be missed, May the angels of the Lord lead you to your place of final rest.

You were a guide, leader, mentor, coach and teacher to a lot of us. You were also a great source of inspiration and motivation for me to forge ahead in my career. You indeed lived a well-spent life and a great blessing to God and Humanity. Till we meet again on the resurrection morning, continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Adieu

TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND: OTUNBA OLASUBOMI BALOGUN, CON Immediately the news of the transition of Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON was broken to me, the evergreen words of Thomas Campbell that: “To live in the hearts of those we leave behind, is to never truly die” flashed to my memory. The legendary Uncle Subomi Balogun (as I fondly called him) would ever live in our hearts, and to me as a person, he would ever live in my consciousness for diverse reasons, a few of which would be highlighted in this Tribute. I have been close to the iconic Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON for the past three decades, starting from when he celebrated his 50th Birthday in 1993. He specifically extended an invitation to me which I excitedly honoured. Ten years thereafter, at his 60th Birthday, he ‘commanded’ me to show my presence, ‘a command’ which I joyfully obeyed. At the celebration of his 80th Birthday, nine years back, I was also conspicuously present, at his behest. Let me confess that in spite of the stature, eminence, success and conquests of Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON whose domineering personality dovetailed diverse areas of human endeavour, including law, banking, business, insurance, properties, community development and philanthropism, I was amazed and virtually rattled that he came down to my level to embrace me as a junior brother and friend, a gesture for which I remain eternally grateful. In the course of my relationship with this foremost Nigerian, I learnt a lot and at every turn, I became more humbled by his equanimity at all times. In the past ten years or so, this legendary figure had always made it a point of duty to send a Christmas token of love to me with a covering note, which also showered prayers and praises on me. My dear Aunty, his darling wife, Olori Abimbola Balogun is aware of our affinity. About twelve days to his transition, he called me, first to ask of my wellbeing, and, thereafter, softly querying me as to why I did not honour his invitation on his last birthday celebration on March 9, 2023. With a broken voice, I retorted that I did not receive the invitation, and that I only got to know of it much later in the media. As usual of him, he emphasized that he personally addressed the letter to me, and that he would still resend a copy notwithstanding the fact that the event had taken place, in order for me to appreciate how he valued me. Lo and behold, and as characteristic of him, he resent the invitation shortly after our telephone conversation. During the course of our telephone chat and after pardoning me for my absence at his 89th Birthday, he quipped thus: “Wole, I am now giving you a long notice for my 90th Birthday against March 9, 2024, and you have to be there, by the special grace of God”. My immediate response was: ‘Sir, thank you for the honour, I would be there by the grace of God; and may you live long”; to which he answered: ‘Amen’. This last conversation with this most eminent and dignified father figure would underscore how flabbergasted I was when I received the news of his passage on May 19, 2023. Nevertheless, I quickly summoned sufficient courage to absolve the news, taking consolation in the fact that, in all ramifications, this gentleman of gentlemen not only lived well, he accomplished all the goals he set for himself, and also served his God and humanity, to the best of his ability. That Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON was a joyful and generous giver is an understatement. His humanitarian gestures dot, if not envelope our entire landscape. But it behoves me to mention a particularly scintillating contribution of this enigma to the College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan during my tenure as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, that is, bequeathing the sprawling Otunba Tunwase National Paediatric Centre to the College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan. Earlier, he called me to his residence in Lagos, and on getting there, I met Prof. Adenike Grange who was then in charge of the expansive Centre, over which billions of naira had been expended by the departed business mogul. Without much fanfare, he announced to me that he would be gifting the entire Centre to the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and advised me to go and inform the University Council and Management so that proper modalities could be worked out to ensure a smooth handing over. I was in awe of him, and for several minutes, kept on saying: ‘Uncle, thank you. God bless you. God bless your generation. God bless your heritage.’ Before then, he had built and donated to the same University, an ultra-modern Child Care Centre. Like a black onyx dazzling immaculately on expedition, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON stunned the black-man continent and led the entire world through the endearing walls of his legendary travails. Records abound, he was a titan reputed for setting iconic paces, he was an hybrid tycoon; a version of the finest breed, and as an intellectual tower- he made the world his oyster! Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON became the first among equals and history justified him as such for being the first Nigerian to have singlehandedly established a merchant bank in the country – he pioneered the First City Merchant Bank (FCMB) now known as First City Monument Bank. As a matter of fact, he was the Doyen of Modern Banking in Nigeria and a Baron of the Nigerian Capital/Money Market. In terms of elegance, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON set the pace, as he was always royal and majestic in appearance, whether in corporate or traditional wears; in terms of kindness, he was undoubtedly magnanimous; when it comes to business, he was a trailblazer; on the oars of cultural heritage, he fully identified with and championed the lofty traditions of the African continent, and at every point in time, he remained contiguous to his Ijebu-Ode roots, he was always very proud of his ancestry; above all, he served his God faithfully to the end, and this was demonstrated at his 89th Birthday outing where he hilariously sang and danced in praise of the good Lord, to the admiration of all and sundry. Unequivocally, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, CON covered-the-field in diverse areas, in positive achievements to humanity. He played his part eminently, successfully and brilliantly. His contributions to our generation bear eloquent testimony to his towering achievements which cannot be wiped off by the torrents of time. He has only translated to join the Saints Triumphant; thus, it is our fervent prayer that his ebullient and elegant soul would find eternal repose in the bosom of the Lord. Goodnight, dear Uncle 'Subomi Balogun, CON Chief (Prof.) Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, LL.D, D.LITT, FCIArb, FNIALS Lagos

I started reading about you and your illustrious exploits since I was a little child and I have always admired and cherished you, even as I never had the opportunity to meet you. My love for you came to life when I named my first child after you when we had him in 2015. I have been telling him about you. I pray he grows to embrace the values you stood for and I pray God to grant you peace in paradise. And bless the great family you have left behind. Sun re baba wa... Barr. Anthony Bamidele Ojo. Abuja.

The end of an era - The goal isn’t to live forever,the goal is to create something that will”. It is on that note that I join the entire human race to pay tributes to the cherished memories of Otunba Dr.Michael Olasubomi Olaonipekun Olaotan Balogun,CON,CPA,FNIM,FCIS-The Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Ijebu Christians,the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland,the Asalu Oba of Ijebumushin,the Baba Oba of Ijebu Ife, the Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland Founder First City Monument Bank,Group Chairman First City Group and the Chairman Primrose Investments Limited,who passed on at the age of 89years about 9months shy of his 90th. An old Igbobian noble in word and deed,Outstanding legal joggernut,doyen of Nigerian Capital market and the Grand Master of investment banking Otunba was An eminent Anglican,lover of the things of God and a lover of good church music who served as a patron of the Choir of two churches dear to his heart The Cathedral Church of Christ Marina,Lagos and Cathedral Church of our Saviour Ijebuode,Ógun State and supported both Choirs big time. I wasn’t close to him but I remember each time I worship at the 9:15 Sunday service at Cathedral Marina and Otunba is in service or I see him at events,I admire and respect him for always being a man of class,panache and true royalty. Indeed he blazed the trail and traversed the human space like a colossus.He lived and led an excellent life which should serve as a challenge for us to live up to the high values necessary to build people,institutions and our society in general. He will be missed no doubt but he will be remembered as a visionary leader who dedicated his life to the betterment of our society and his unwavering contributions will continue to inspire generations to come. I hereby express my heartfelt condolences to his inserapable consort of over 60years Olori Abimbola Balogun,His very noble sons,the grandchildren,the entire Balogun family and the good people of Ijebuode Ogun State. An icon is gone but his legacy will transcend mortality. Rest on with the angels grandmaster. AYODEJI OLUMIDE AWOSANYA An avid lover of the grandmaster.

May your gentle soul rest in peace baba... You are great man, a Christian and philanthropist. Baba we love you but God loves you most. Rest Well Daddy.

Dear Sir, you came, you saw and you conquered. You lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation. As you journey on to your Maker I pray God Almighty will accept your soul in His Heavenly Kingdom and may your soul rest in perfect peace .

My dear Otunba, As I reflect upon a world without you in it, it becomes evident that it would be a place lacking in profound kindness, wisdom, and generosity. From the very first day I had the privilege of meeting you, my life underwent a transformative change. I vividly recall that day in the church when, amidst the company of your very beautiful

Otunba, an icon and an astute leader with great vision. Thanks for the good foundation laid over time. We would surely miss you. Rest well Otunba!!!

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace amen.