Lagos stood still last Friday when corporate Nigeria paid tribute to prominent corporate lawyer and philanthropist, Chief Christopher Ogunbanjo.

Biztellers reports that the event, tagged, an Afternoon of Tributes was put together by the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Victoria Island, Lagos to eulogise and honour the memory of Ogunbanjo.

Prominent among those who graced the event were the NGX, LCCI, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dangote Group, BUA Group, Coronation Group, Zenith Bank, FCMB Group, etc.

Governor, CBN, Dr Olayemi Cardoso in his tribute eulogised the late Ogunbanjo not only for his strides in the corporate world but also his life as a father and grandfather.

Cardoso said, “Papa was a remarkable individual whose life and legacies transcend a myriad of fields. In particular, his contributions to the organised private sector in Nigeria was not only a life of achievements, it was also one that charted the way forward for multiple generations, inspiring them to elevate and aspire to be like him.

“Through his efforts, the foreign currency decree of 1985 was promulgated, laying the foundation for a more robust and internationally connected financial system.

“I recall quite vividly that Chief Ogunbanjo was part of a group of forward-looking businessmen who in the late 1960s championed local equity participation in foreign firms operating within Nigeria.”

On his part, Chairman, NGX Group, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, represented by Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, Oscar Onyema, said, “As we reflect on his remarkable journey, we remember that he was a force behind the growth of many Nigerian companies. A true legal luminary, his influence reaches far beyond the boardroom.

Paying tribute to the late lawyer, President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote described him as a champion of industrialisation in Nigeria which in his view explained the high turnout of corporate Nigeria at the event.

He said, “That is the reason most of us are here today. I have worked with him closely. I and Abimbola (Ogunbanjo’s son) worked tirelessly to ensure his vision for NGX is sustained. I completed my tenure as president and handed over to Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and he handed over to Abimbola. We are going to miss him.”

In his comments, billionaire businessman and Founder of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu said, “He was an astute businessman and a philanthropist. He gave back to society, that was very important to him. I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and the business world.”

In the same vein, the incoming president of LCCI, Gabriel Idahosa, said that the late Ogunbanjo embodied dedication and service to country whilst the outgoing president, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole expressed confidence that Chief Ogunbanjo was resting in peace in the bosom of the Lord.

On his part, Chairman, Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and former President of the National Council, Nigerian Stock Exchange said it was a privilege to pay tribute to the man whose name and signature are on the founding inaugural memo and articles of the exchange.

“He put food on the table for many stockbrokers, many bankers but most importantly, millions of investors who benefited from his work during the privatisation program.

“The privatisation program was very much stimulated by his efforts and is certainly, alongside with the establishment of the exchange, the defining moment in the building of the Nigerian capital market.

“He not only made those contributions, he went on to chair several companies, to be an active investor in several companies and therefore put his money where his mouth is,” Aig-Imokhuede added.

Former Chairman, NGX Group, Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, eulogising his father, said, “I would not be far from the truth to say that chief acquired his impressive credentials on the actual battleground of corporate law practice, in company boardrooms, and right here in the Lagos Chamber of Commerce where he stood out as a respected voice of the organised private sector.”

Other dignitaries in attendance were the Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, Group Chief Executive Officer, FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun, Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr Temi Popoola, former Presidents of the LCCI, representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, as well as family members of the deceased