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He Is 90 Years Old Chief KOLA DAISI
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The Story Of Their 67 Years Friendship
Who was late Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun’s best friend when he was alive? We guess you don’t know.
We can tell you for free that the best friend of the Otunba Tunwase of Ijebu, who was also the Olori Omo-Oba Akile and the Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians was Chief Kola Daisi, the Ibadan high chief.
Somehow, they shared a lot of things in common. They both love white Agbada. They wear white all the time.
Their dressing is similar and they even look alike facially in many ways.
They are both successful businessmen. They are both Lawyers. They love real estate. They are also both rich men.
The only difference is that whilst Otunba Subomi lived in Lagos, KD lives in Ibadan but frequents Lagos to see his friends.
In his life time, Otunba Subomi Balogun once told us how close they were.
Recently, during the burial of his best friend, the man who likes to be referred to as K.D. coined from his name revealed the depth of their friendship and closeness.
“Subomi and I met in London during The Fresher’s Night in the autumn of 1956. We were both staying at The Passfield Hall which is an exclusive hall of residence for the London School of Economics (LSE) where we were studying Law and Economics respectively. I also had the intention of studying Law, which I later did. For me and Subomi, it was “Love at first sight”, which was to deepen and consolidated between 1956 and 1960 as students. That love and mutual respect has endured till Subomi took his last breath”.
“Subomi is rightfully credited for bringing Sherifat Agbeke (nee Animashaun) my beloved wife into my life. He was instrumental in ensuring that the courtship bloomed and blossomed.
My wife and I got married in July 1960 and until she passed away in October 2018, my wife would call Subomi ‘egbon mi’, and he would reply ‘aburo’. Such was the bond and love between us”.
“As young ambitious lawyers, we returned to Nigeria to make our mark in the early sixties. I went into private practice and Subomi worked as a State Counsel. I spent many years in legal practice and commerce and industry while Subomi eventually went into banking via The NIDB. He founded his stock broking firm – City Securities Ltd in 1978 and then went into Banking. He founded The First City Merchant Bank. This is notable because he was to become one of the first successful private indigenous promoters of a bank in Nigeria, which later became First City Monument Bank.
People often ask and wonder how our friendship endured for so long. I can tell you that it was a friendship based on love, trust, shared intrinsic values and selflessness. Subomi’s zest for life belied a heart of gold. He demanded excellence in all aspects of his life. He walked the walk and talked the talk. There were no half measures. As my ‘twin’ brother and friend, we celebrated my 90th Birthday Anniversary last year with Subomi by my side and looked forward to celebrating his own 90th next year. But alas, it was not to be. God knows best”.
“Today, the ‘unbreakable’ bond of an everlasting friendship is severed by his death. The memories of such an amazing brotherhood (of 67 years) will remain with me forever.
Farewell! – Brother and friend.
Chief Kola Daisi is the Founder and Chancellor of the Kola Daisi University, Ibadan. Recently, Chief Kola Daisi said Nigeria is currently in desperate need of innovative leaders, who would come up with ideas to turn around the situations in the country.
Daisi, is the Basorun of Ibadan. He said this in his address at the 2nd Convocation of the KDU in Ibadan.
He is also a nonagenarian. He tasked the graduates of the university to go and effect massive changes in their various fields, saying the world was waiting for their exploits. He added that the key mission of the university was to nurture quality graduates with high employability attributes and competencies.
He said, “I admonish you all to go out there and be good ambassadors of this university. Aside your learning, your character should be impeccable, showcasing the quality of training you have imbibed during your sojourn here.
“The importance of quality graduates cannot be overemphasised, most especially in a time like this when the nation is in dire need of innovative leaders. It is our hope that you will all be worthy ambassadors of Kola Daisi University, who will go out there to do great exploits in your various fields.
“You are to be problem solvers, finding solutions to challenges in your areas of interest. I am sure you have been adequately equipped for this.” When he turned 90, last year renowned industrialist, Chief Kola Daisi, has built a new hostel and named it after his friend of 66 years, Chief Subomi Balogun. The new hostel, which can accommodate 750 students, stands on a large expanse of land in Kola Daisi University, Ibadan.
Daisi said his decision was informed by the fond memories and fruitful friendship which he shares with the business mogul in the last 67 years. He revealed that he chose the project to mark his 90th anniversary as a way of celebrating his bosom friend and immortalising their friendship. Daisi, who is the Chancellor of the private university, disclosed this during the inauguration of the hostel.
This came as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, eulogised the celebrant at the ceremony. In a letter to the celebrantor, Obasanjo described Daisi, who is the Basorun of Ibadan, as a trail blazer who also has a huge heart for Philanthropy. The former president said Daisi’s 90 years sojourn has positive impacts on Nigeria and humanity at large.
The letter read in part: “Your devotion to duty in private sector in various areas of general business, is remarkable; your Philanthropy and generosity have marked you out as a public-spirited businessman who loves his people and serves them with a high sense of responsibility. Indeed, you have blazed the trail which is exemplary.
“All your years in public life, I have come to appreciate the diversity and depth of the Nigerian talent and I have always believed that given the right environment, we can compete favourably with the best in the world. I am well aware of the commendable contributions you made in your engagement as the Chairman of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, under my administration as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Your devotion to the issue of development as a priority among other critical challenges facing our country then, cannot also be overemphasised. You solidified the foundation of the commission for social and economic growth. Collectively, we succeeded in attracting foreign investments into our country and in encouraging Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the Nigerian economy.” The hostel was commissioned by Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo. Makinde also lauded Daisi’s contributions to the development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria, saying his achievements are valuable.
