The passing of Otunba Subomi Balogun, a foremost business personality, pioneering merchant banker, philanthropist, proud Ijebu son and patriotic Nigerian, is a glorious end to a glorious life well spent.
I have come to admire Otunba Subomi’s humane persona, especially through his expansive commitment to health care delivery epitomized by the Pediatric Centre, which he built and donated to the University of Ibadan.
With thousands engaged in his vast business empire and many more benefitting from his silent philanthropic endeavours, the departed Otunba Tunwase and Olori Omoba of Ijebuland could not but be said to have lived a life worthy of emulation and a legacy worth celebrating.
He has also shown, with the handling of his banking business, by himself and through his children after retiring in 2006, that generational wealth could be sustained in a decent and far from rancourous manner as opposed to what obtains in many other instances similar to his.
As I pray for fortitude for the widow, Ladi, his siblings and the extended Subomi Balogun family to bear the loss, I join Nigerians in celebrating the positive impacts of the life of this great compatriot and pray that his soul finds deserved repose.
Dr Olusegun Mimiko
Governor, Ondo State
2009 – 2017
