Last weekend, the news was received that Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo OFR,CON, peacefully transitioned into eternal glory, surrounded by his beloved family, in his centennial year and barely just a couple of months to his centenary birthday. Chief Ogunbanjo was born in the Parsonage of Epiphany Church, Erunwon, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Friday, December 14, 1923. A son of a clergyman, he had his early education at St Philips School, Aiyetoro, Ile-Ife, Osun State from where he proceeded to Oduduwa College in 1936. He would then go onto to Igbobi College, Lagos in 1938 and left in December 1941 after obtaining the Cambridge School Certificate with exemption from London Matriculation. He passed the LLB Laws Degree of London University in 1949 and was to the Bar in Lincoln’s Inn in 1950. He became a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in August 1950.
Capturing how prominent Chief Ogunbanjo’s influence was in the 1950s and 60s, Chief (Dr) Olusegun Oladipo Osunkeye CON, OFR, FCA, in Essays in Honour of Chief (Dr) Christopher Ogunbanjo OFR, CON @95, noted that for prospective investors intending to set up business in Nigeria during that time, the gateway to entry would normally start with making enquiries from Barclays Bank DCO and Bank of British West Africa and those two banks would readily give the name of Chief Ogunbanjo because of the confidence they have had in him, his integrity, competence, thoroughness, and professionalism. Chief Ogunbajo would go on to distinguish himself as the father of modern corporate law practice in Nigeria – a title best used for a trail blazer cum founder of the pioneer indigenous commercial law firm in Nigeria which competed favourably with the corporate law firm of Irving & Bonnar at that time.
Chief Ogunbanjo would also earn the coveted title of “Captain of Industry’’ – perhaps for his role as a founding member of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (Life Patron since 1987) and Honorary Life Vice-President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 1979 and for his sterling reputation for pioneering/nurturing indigenous industrial ventures in Nigeria, given the economic genius he was.
Beyond earning an illustrious reputation for promoting education, research and a peaceful society geared towards adding benefit to all, Chief Ogunbanjo would go on to serve in various capacities including as the first chairman of the Nigerian Council for Management, Education and Training, the governing body of the Centre for Management Development (1972-76). He served as the chairman of the Study Group on Industrial Policy set up by the federal government to examine industrial development in Nigeria (1984). After this, he would go on to serve as the chairman of the Consultative Committee on Company Law to advise on a new Companies Decree promulgated in 1990.
As aptly captured in the words of Hon. Justice Mohammed Bello GCON – former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Chief Ogunbanjo “kept alive his concerns not just for an industrialised and economically progressive Nigeria, but also where peace will reign among the diverse interests and ethnic orientation of the people of our beloved country.” To know Chief Ogunbanjo was to know an extraordinary and patriotic Nigeria dedicated to an industrialised, economically developed and progressive Nigeria with peace being at the centre of such lofty and detribalized pursuits.
Chief Ogunbanjo’s passion for Nigeria’s economic growth and development would explain why he wrote extensively on the Nigerian economy. Some of his thoughts in this regard would form a collection of papers found in two books, to wit: Nigeria’s Economic and Industrial Development – Which Way Forward? (1983); Nigeria – The Search for Economic Stability (1986).
Honoured home and abroad as evident in his 1981 decoration as Officer Orange Nassau by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and 1982 conferment with the National Merit Award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), in 1986, he was honoured with the title of Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and in 1987, he was awarded the Doctor of Civil Laws (D.C.L) by Obafemi Awolowo University. The University of Lagos would follow on in 1988 with the award of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) and in 1990, he was equally honoured by home grown University – Ogun State university, Ago-Iwoye with the title of Doctor of Sciences (D.Sc) – a proud moment for the illustrious son of the Ogun State.
A seasoned legal luminary and distinguished figure in Nigeria’s legal and business communities, whose multifaceted roles as an industrialist, corporate lawyer and philanthropist would leave indelible impressions in these important fields as he empowered and mentored numerous professionals from Nigeria and beyond. Perhaps, one of the best credits ever given to chief was by Mr Asue Ighodalo, founding partner, Banwo & Ighodalo, chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, chairman, Board of Directors, Sterling Bank Plc, chairman, Levene Energy Group Limited, when he opined: “…I had the unique privilege of undertaking the mandatory law firm attachment with the firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co. It was … the leading commercial law firm in Nigeria at the time… I enjoyed the six weeks I spent there. I liked the firm, the people, the quality of the work and the exposure. Once I completed my law school exams and I was called to bar, I asked if I could come back to work in the firm. I worked there for about six years, they were six wonderful and professionally fulfilling years. I was exposed to everything about commercial law. Chief Chris Ogunbanjo was a great boss, a fantastic person, and very generous in imparting his deep knowledge and wide exposure. I was exposed to complicated transactions. We worked in an atmosphere of intellectual intensity, where everybody was primarily responsible for their work, and my time there was indeed a blessing. I really want to thank Chief Ogunbanjo for the experience, and my friend Tokunbo for the opportunity. That was the greatest influence on my career, and I am truly grateful for it.”
Ever desirous of giving back, he would go on to start The Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation with a passion for touching mankind and positively affecting lives through championing of ideals that bind us together.
To know Chief Ogunbanjo was to know an unwavering beacon of courage, moral integrity, and dedication to his beloved country. His impactful life was best characterised by an exceptional commitment to selfless causes, extraordinary of life of service to his community and people, as well as a sterling reputation for promoting best business practices and unblemished reputation.
Highly decorated and honoured recipient of several prestigious chieftaincy titles, including Olotu of Ijebuland, Larinja of Egbaland, Gbadero of Lagos, Lerinja of Egbaland, Baba Oba of Ijebu Imusin, and Baba Oba of Erunwon Ijebu, Chief Ogunbanjo was also well known for championing causes close to his heart and dedicating himself to grassroots community development as well as advocacy for peaceful co-existence between Nigerians from diverse backgrounds.
Until his death, he was the patron, Nigerian/America, Chamber of Commerce, patron, Nigerian/British Chamber of Commerce, grand patron, Ijebu-Ode Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; life patron, Christian Charity Band of Nigeria; chairman and trustee, Ogun State Development Trust Fund, amongst others.
His legacy, best exemplified by his invaluable contributions to worthy causes, economic growth, and development, modern corporate cum commercial law practice, as well as peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians and Africans at large, will continue to stand the test of time and championed by all those who have had the chance to drink from his ever-flowing fountain of knowledge, as well for generations to come.
- Onele is a lawyer and can be reached via thejosephonele@gmail.com
