Ex Minister Kuforiji-Olubi dies at 80

Former Minister of Commerce Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi died at the weekend in Lagos. She was 80

Family sources said Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi died on Saturday .

Eminent Nigerians, including governors, sent their condolences, remembering her for her contributions to banking.

When she visited President Muhammadu Buhari as part of the activities marking her 80th birthday, she told reporters at the State House: “Having turned 80, I looked at my life and made a list of those who contributed to what I have become in my life and the name of President Muhammadu Buhari came topmost on the list. This is why I am here to pay my respect and thank him.”

The one time Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), was born on September 28, 1936

Dr. Kuforiji- Olubi graduated from the University of London in 1963 with B. Sc honours in Economics. A fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales 1977, ICAN Nigeria 1976, British Chartered institutes of company Secretaries (ACIS 1964). Nigerian Institute of management (FMIN) 1985, British Institute of Directors.

She was a recipient of the honours and awards, including: Doctor of Business administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, 1997, Doctor of Laws, LLD honoris causa. Bayero University, Kano, 2004, Doctor of letter, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye Ogun State 2006.

She was awarded National award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 1979, for her contributions to management education and socio- economic Advancement of Nigeria, and later Officer of the Order of Nigeria (OON) award. Certificate of Merit by the United Nations Decade of Woman, 1980, award for Excellence from the University of Benn’s Skonit Club in 1988, honorary Grammarian of CMS 1988 by CMS grammar school, award of Excellence by Brigade of Nigeria, 1992, International award of Excellence for outstanding entrepreneurial achievements, MIT, Cambridge, MA, United States. !992, a recipient of 2002 conferment award for Woman of achievements under the auspices of the Woman development centre, Abuja, 2005.

She also held many chieftaincy titles.

She was the 25th ICAN president and the first female to become president of the Institute; while she was in the office she launched Accounting Technicians Course 1989–1990.

First Nigerian woman to be CEO of a multinational company (VYB Industries Limited, with British affiliates (incheape & Co Plc) and first female Chairman of a public quoted company (Bewac Plc).

Shje was chair and member of many boards of companies. The first Chair man of Ogun, Osun River basin development (1976–1980), member governing council Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic research (NISER) from 1981–1983. She was appointed chairman of a leading financial Institution, United Bank for Africa Plc in 1984 1990, a first woman in Africa south of the Sahara, Vice chairman National conference on Nigerian foreign policy to the year 2000, member National Sport commission 1986–89. She was a foundation member and chairman, Lagos State Education endowment fund (1988–1999). She was appointed as honorable Secretary (Minister) for commerce and tourism in the interim National government of Nigeria in 1983. A deputy chairman and federal commissioner for Ogun state at the revenue mobilization.

She also wrote many publications including, the female Entrepreneur and Financial Management for Survival 1987, Civil service reform in a developing Economy 1988. The corporate Woman, a marginalised group, problem and Strategies for success, vide public enlightenment programme of the institute of Directors 1989. Technical education as a catalyst for technical cooperation and Economic growth in developing Countries 1992 and co-author of Changing Course.