3RD YEAR MEMORIAL: CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GBEGI OJORA

Thursday, April 10, 2014 marked the third year remembrance of one of Nigeria’s outstanding corporate models, Adegboyega Ishola Adedamola Ojora.  His family and close friend hosted a prayer session in his honour. Gbegi, as he was fondly called, by his loved ones, died at the First Consultant Hospital, Ikoyi Road, Obalende, Lagos. He was aged 50 years. Indeed, if the will power of man could hold Gbegi back, there was enough love and goodwill to keep him back. His funeral ceremony, which drew thousands of dignitaries, who came to bid him farewell and share in his family’s grief, bore eloquent testimony to this fact.

The ELITES recalled that, on that fateful Sunday evening, when the news of the death of Gbegi broke out, it was like a spear had been thrust into the heart of his family and friends. It was gathered that, on the eve of his death, Gbegi had voted during the National Assembly elections. The following day, he attended the morning Mass at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, and later, the christening ceremony of a friend’s child. Upon getting home, Gbegi complained of some discomfort and drove himself to First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos. It was while the doctors were examining him that Gbegi reportedly slumped and passed away.

Although, Gbegi had had a long battle with a liver-related ailment, the cause of his death, according to the hospital, was heart attack. At the time Gbegi died, his younger sister and wife of the former Kwara State governor, Toyin Saraki, was also at the hospital for her routine medical check-up when the tragic incident happened.

The first son of boardroom guru, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, Gbegi was born in Lagos on 29 August 1960. He attended St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, Lagos, and Lockers Park in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. He also attended International School, Ibadan; King’s College, Lagos; Rugby School and Eton College, United Kingdom. Gbegi bagged a degree in Law from King’s College, London and thereafter, obtained a doctorate in Philosophy from Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. He also attended the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State. Gbegi worked at the law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co. before joining his father to run the family business empire. Together with his younger brothers–Dapo and Yinka–he ran the numerous companies owned by the family.   

Gbegi was married to Solveigh Omosalewa (nee Onipede) and their union was blessed with a son, Toluwani.