Aderinokun goes home

Tears flowed freely yesterday as the remains of the late managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr Olutayo Adeleye Aderinokun, was laid to rest around 1 pm at Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos. He died at　the age of 56 at Wellington Hospital, Saint John’s Wood, North West, London, after an illness a few weeks ago.The burial, which climaxed　 a week-long activities lined up to honour the departed bank chief, was preceded by nearly three-hour service at Ikoyi Baptist Church, Lagos. Earlier at the reception, torrents of tributes had flowed from governors, top bankers and other eminent Nigerians across the geo-politcal zones, who described the late Aderinokun as one of the best professional bankers Nigeria ever had. In attendace at the church service were Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Ibikunle Amosun (0gun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido; Doyen of the Accountancy profession, Mr Akintola Williams and former Director General, Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), Prof. (Mrs) Ndi Okereke-Onyuike.Others were business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Lagos State commissioner, Mr Ben Akabueze; Senator Olorunfemi Mamora; the managing directors of Spring Bank Plc, (Mrs Sola Ayodele); Skye Bank (Mr Kehinde Durosimi-Etti); First Bank (Mr Stephen Onasanya); Intercontinental Bank (Mr Mahmoud Alabi) and many others.Tinubu said the deceased would be missed by all the people who had known him due to his achievements in the banking industry.Fayemi said the late banker would be missed by his colleagues and friends, among other Nigerians.Aliko Dangote was unequivocal about Aderinokun’s contributions to the socio-economic growth of the country, noting that his death "is a great loss to his family and his consitituency (the banking industry)."Okereke-Onyuike said the late Aderinokun left his footprints in the banking industry. She said the late GTB’s boss was "humble, hardworking and strove for excellence."Governor Amosun said the corporate world had lost　 a thoroughbred professional.The immediate past managing director, First Bank Plc, Mr Jacobs Ajeikigbe, said: "Uncle T, as popularly called by his admirers, will be remembered as a　 co-founder of one of the most successful Nigerian bank."Mahmoud Alabi said Aderinokun was a thouroughbred prefessional with great vision for his bank. He said the deceased was a respectable member of the Bankers Committee, whose views were held　in high esteem.The former managing director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Dabiri, said Aderinokun was an astute banker whose contributions to the industry would be difficult to forget.Dabiri, who incidentally was Aderinokun’s first employer at Chase Merchant Bank, said he ‘’saw materials in him the the first day he resumed duties at the bank."In a well worded tribute, Dabiri betrayed emotions as he rolled out the achievements of Aderinokun in the industry.The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, said: "Tayo was an astute banker who took　 GTBank to a greater height."The students of Waterman College were not left out. In an emotion laden song, the students described Aderinokun as a blessing to his generation.　 The deceased was survived by two wives and four children.Culled from : The Nation Newspaper