Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that the late Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, who died over the weekend at 99 was an exceptional legal luminary, whose vacuum will be difficult to fill.
The Special Assistant on Media to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi, in a statement on Monday, noted that Obasanjo described the legal icon as an outstanding and foremost Nigerian Corporate Lawyer.
“On behalf of my family and my behalf, wish to commiserate with the entire members of the Ogunbanjo family, the Awujale of Akile Ijebu, Oba Dr Sikiru Adetona and entire people of Ijebu land and by extension of Ogun State on the transition of Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, who was one of the prominent and great sons of Africa,” the statement read in part.
It added, “He was a successful captain of Industry, philanthropist and exceptionally excellent legal luminary, who I can safely call an outstanding Nigerian Corporate Lawyer.
“Only a few days ago, I remembered him at a discussion and the only name that was coming to memory was; “the Corporate lawyer” “the corporate lawyer”. Yes, he was distinguished and truly deserving of that appellation,” Obasanjo said.
In his professional life, Obasanjo explained that the late legal guru in the early 1960s, was among the group of businessmen who supported local equity participation in foreign firms operating in Nigeria and was an early advocate of domiciliary accounts in Nigeria which later came into existence through the promulgation of the Foreign Currency Decree in 1985.
He added, “In all respects, he was a titan and a brilliant attorney: a good man, an inspiring leader and a remarkable statesman and nationalist whose intellect, integrity, hard work and vision impacted significantly on the legal profession. It is to the eternal credit of the late Chief that he strove to carve a niche for himself in several spheres.
“His zeal and resourcefulness were without deference to his noble background. He brought prodigious energy to bear in whatever he did and it was not surprising that he became a well-established lawyer and an astute businessman of note.
“Chief Ogunbanjo’s name will live forever in the minds and hearts of those who experienced his warmth, generosity and guidance. His underlying commitment to education and his quiet philanthropic activities which culminated in his establishment of Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation cannot be over-emphasised.
“Having lived for 99 years, and only months to his centenary celebration, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo by any stretch of the imagination, cannot be considered to have died an untimely or premature death.
“I pray that the Almighty will grant him sweet repose and his family members the strength to bear the heavy and irreparable loss.” the statement concluded.
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