The late Kuforiji-OlubiLagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Sunday, expressed shock and sadness over the death of foremost accountant and a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi.
The late Kuforiji-Olubi
The late minister was the first Female President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN.
Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi died on Saturday, December 3, 2016 barely over two months after she clocked 80 on September 28.
“Yes we will miss her, but we still have to thank God for the impactful and successful life she lived,” Governor Amosun said in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Adejuwon Soyinka.
He said the late Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi was not only a successful technocrat, “she also impacted and motivated generations of Nigerians, especially women, through her industry and success as a technocrat and an administrator.”
While commiserating with the Kuforiji-Olubi family, the people of Ogun State and indeed all Nigerians over the loss of Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi, Governor Amosun said, “for us in Ogun State, she was an icon. She was one of those international icons that made us proud.”
“Her enviable track record includes being the first woman in Sub Saharan Africa to serve as Chairman of a leading financial institution, UBA; the first Chairman of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and Vice Chairman, National Conference on Nigerian foreign policy among others.
“We will particularly miss her words of wisdom at this critical stage in the development of our dear state, Governor Amosun said.
Dr. Olubi, who was appointed the first female Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) in 1984.
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.
The Governor recalled the former minister’s decades of distinguished career in the private and public sectors of national life, saying she was a role model to the future generation.
“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.