Former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and Minister of Labour, Ajibola Afonja, has passed away at 82.
A family source confirmed his death on Sunday night, noting he died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Afonja, a native of Oyo State, was known for his leadership at First Bank Plc and as Minister of Labour under Earnest Shonekan’s interim government.
He also chaired Integrated Dimensional System and other companies. Afonja earned a degree in Accounting from Kingston University, United Kingdom, in 1970. He worked at John Mowlem & Co, a UK-based construction firm, before returning to Nigeria in 1974.
Mourning his death, a prominent Oyo socio-political group, Oyo Global Forum through its chairman, Taiwo Adebayo wrote, “On this dark day in Oyo, we mourn the loss of Ajibola Afonja, former Labour Minister and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, who passed away on Sunday night, aged 82.
“Although, a national figure with tremendous influence, he was particularly light for the Oyo community where he made pioneering efforts as an industrialist. His legacy of generosity and open-heartedness touched countless lives, and his presence will be profoundly missed.
“Until his last month, Daddy IDS, as he was affectionately known, as a reference to his manufacturing company, remained hardworking, dedicated to realizing one of the most transformative business visions for the country’s economy. It was the E-Customs project.
“His absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, but his spirit of generosity and leadership will continue to inspire us. For all of us that he inspired, we shall honour his memory by carrying forward the values he embodied and continuing his legacy of service and compassion, the values that guide OGF, which he supported during his lifetime.”
The group sent its heartfelt condolences to his family, the entire Oyo community, as well as friends and associates around the world, during this period of grief.
