BREAKING: Former minister Dr Bola Kuforiji-Olubi dies at 80

BREAKING: Former minister Dr Bola Kuforiji-Olubi dies at 80

Dr Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, Nigeria's former minister of Commerce and Industry, has died aged 80.

BREAKING: Former minister Dr Bola Kuforiji-Olubi dies at 80
Ex-minster Dr Bola Kuforiji-Olubi has died aged 80, she reportedly died on Saturday, December 3.

The Punch reports that the ex-minister died on Saturday morning, December 3, in Lagos.

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Dr Olubi was born September 28, 1936. The former ICAN president graduated from the University of London in 1963. She was appointed the first female chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 1984.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, December 5, commiserated with the family of a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, who died on Saturday at the age of 80.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement said Buhari who recently received the former minister and first female Chairman of the United Bank of Africa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people Ogun State,  the banking industry,  Kuforiji-Olubi’s friends and professional colleagues over the loss.

The statement read, “President Buhari recalls that during his October 20 meeting with the banking and accounting guru, where he congratulated her on her 80th birthday, she was warm and hearty.

“He affirms that the then first female President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, served her nation and humanity with all her God-given strength and talent, noting that the multiple professional, national awards and fellowships she received were well deserved.

“As a distinguished economist and manager who scored many firsts in breaking the glass ceiling in both private and public services, the President believes that Otunba Kuforiji-Olubi will be remembered for redefining the place of womanhood in Nigeria’s development and inspiring others.

“President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will grant her eternal rest, and also comfort all her loved ones.”

Olubi recently visited President Muhammadu Buhari to thank him for his contribution to her successful career.

She said that it was Buhari as a military Head of State that appointed her the first female Chairman of United Bank for Africa.

Olubi, recently visited President Muhammadu Buhari to thank him for his contribution to her success.

She said that it was Buhari as a military Head of State that appointed her the first female Chairman of United Bank for Africa.

She said: “Having turned 80, I looked at my life and made a list of those who contributed to what I have become in my life and the name of President Muhammadu Buhari came topmost on the list.

BREAKING: Former minister Dr Bola Kuforiji-Olubi dies at 80
Dr Olubi visits President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock.

“This is why I am here to pay my respect and thank him,” she said.

In the same vein, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday expressed shock and sadness over the death of Dr Kuforiji-Olubi.

Governor Ambode in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, described Dr. Olubi as a distinguished businesswoman, banker, economist and accountant, who cut her teeth in the corporate world.

“Dr. Olubi was a woman of many firsts; she wrote her name in gold in the banking industry and was a pace-setter and leader in banking, manufacturing and entrepreneurship not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“It was not surprising that she was a proud and well-deserved recipient of National honours, fellowships, awards and honorary degrees from within and outside the country,’’ Governor Ambode said.

The Governor said Dr. Olubi’s legacies would continue to be a source of inspiration to the younger generation.

Governor Ambode also prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul, urging her family to draw strength from the legacies she stood for while she was alive and the fact that she was a devout Christian.

“On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos state, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Dr. Olubi, on this great and irreparable loss

“I had always admired her demeanor. She was a woman of true character, substance and quiet nobility. We will sorely miss her”, he said.

Source: Legit.ng

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