President Muhammadu Buhari shares in the grief of loss with the business community, particularly banking and investment sector, over the passing of an illustrious citizen, Chief Michael Olasubomi “Subomi” Balogun, 89.
The President condoles with family members, friends, and associates of the revered businessman, whose legacy of kindness and charity stretched into many homes, institutions, and communities, touching lives through education, health, and multiple empowerment opportunities.
President Buhari affirms that Chief Balogun, through foresight, wisdom, and hard work, lived ahead of his time, by starting the First City Merchant Bank in 1983, which has grown over the years, with branches across the country, and working assiduously for the take-off and success of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
The President notes the outpouring of testimonies on the life and times of the legendary banker, especially his towering influence in grooming many talented leaders in the sector, who had since set up their investment platforms, within and outside the country.
President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort all his loved ones.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has described the death of Otunba Subomi Balogun as a colossal loss, not only to the state, but Nigeria and the business world.
Abiodun mourned the Founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kunle Somorin.
Balogun, a foremost banker, lawyer and entrepreneur, was reported to have died at the age of 89, in a London hospital earlier on Friday, after an illness.
The governor said that the late Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland was one of the foremost entrepreneurs who took banking to an enviable level in the country.
Abiodun said apart from being a business magnate, Balogun was a devoted Christian, a loving father and husband, as well as lover of Ijebuland.
The governor said the contributions of the late banker to the socio-economic development of Ijebuland and the state was humongous and beneficial to numerous people and entities.
He said that the vacuum created by the demise of Balogun would be difficult to fill.
Abiodun said that his love for humanity and dedication to the service of God was worthy of emulation.
He commiserated with the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the entire people of Ijebu on the passing of the renowned entrepreneur and condoled the immediate family left behind.
He emphasised that the death of Balogun remained a loss of another illustrious son of the state.
Abiodun declared that his philanthropic gestures and good sense of fashion and traditions would be sorely missed.
While praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, the governor urged his family members not to grief, but find solace in the fact that Balogun lived a life of industry, service to God and humanity.
Atiku Abubakar in his tribute said: “Otunba Subomi Balogun was a great man in almost all human endeavours. As a businessman, he was reputable and iconic.
“As a community man, his people enjoyed unfettered access to his presence and a measure of his impact.
“As a family man, his marks of excellence are evident for everyone to see in the quality of the children that survived him. For sure, his death is a national loss. “That he lived to a ripe age with so much accomplishment is an attestation of the mercies of the Almighty upon him.
“On behalf of my family, I join his family in mourning the loss of a worthy patriarch. I also sympathise with the good people and government of Ogun State over the loss of a dynamic and illustrious son.
