•Buhari, Daniel, Saraki mourn
MR. Olutokunbo Kuforiji and Mrs. Olujoke Ogunsiakan – the first son and daughter of the late former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi -have described their mother as an icon that will be greatly missed.
Dr. Kuforiji-Olubi, who was born on September 28, 1936, died on Saturday.
She was a one-time chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), among other positions she held.
The son, who spoke with The Nation at his Apapa home, said he was still yet to get over the shock of her death.
He described her as caring, over-considerate and industrious.
“She was my lecturer, protector, educator, friend and enabler. For Nigeria, she left a lot of history behind with the various positions she held. She was a pioneer of business of the banking world, accounting world and an economist, among others,” he said.
Descrying her as an amazing mother, Kuforiji said he was privileged and honoured to be her first child, adding that he would never have desired to be anybody else’s child.
“She had high moral standard and value. She will forever be in myheart and I will forever praise God for her life. She impacted on the life of all. I no longer have a mother to call nor talk to on any matter or decision I want to make and I will miss her for this,” he added.
He said she left the legacy of empowering him to be able to make decisions on his own, adding that has helped him to bring up his children.
Mrs.Ogunsiakansaid her mother imparted on the lives of all and she left good legacies behind, including lots of accomplishment.
“My mother was an incredible personality; she had good character, extreme grace and dignity. She is one of the most respected women in the history of this country. She was a gift to us and was of benefit to all who came around her,” she stated.
She said she would remember her late mother for her grace, saying she was extremely organised, tenacious and had the zeal to be the best.
Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari joined others to commiserate with the family of the former minister.
The President, who recently received Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubiat the State House, extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Ogun State, the banking industry, the former minister’s friends and professional colleagues over the sad loss.
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari noted 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 affirmed that the former first female President of ICAN 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.
Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday described late former minister as a consummate administrator, who discharged her duties with passion during her lifetime. Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said:”It is sad that our dear mother has taken her final journey at age 80.”
Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel yesterday described Otunba Kuforiji-Olubi was a remarkable woman of uncommon courage, exemplary pedigree and one of the brightest in the constellation of Nigerian prominent women.
Daniel stated that the late Otunba Kuforiji-Olubi was a woman of enormous integrity, quintessential professional and an intellectual of global repute, who made her mark in a male dominated world.
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