One of those who will miss Otunba Subomi Balogun, the late Founder of FCMB, is Otunba Gbenga Daniel, (OGD) the Senator-elect representing Ogun East. In his life time, both Otunba Balogun & OGD were very close. In OGD’s tribute titled SUBOMI BALOGUN: Nigeria Has Lost An Icon, released a few days ago, OGD wrote: “I received with shock the passing unto eternal glory of the Olori Omoba, Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland, Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, CON.”
“As the Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians, Otunba Subomi Balogun brought the fear of God into everything that he did and believed in, and united the Body of Christ while promoting interfaith relationship in the entire Ijebuland to the best of his ability.”
“A frontline businessman and astute banker, Otunba Balogun lived a life worthy of emulation by carrying the weight of royalty into his enterprise. He lived a graceful life with colour and candour.”
“I share a lot in common with Otunba Subomi Balogun who served as a father figure to me and supported our administration without let, when I had the privilege to serve as the Governor of Ogun State.”
“He was a man whom I have the greatest respect for both in royalty and in the business world. Yeye and I will miss this great icon of Ijebu culture and business enterprise, and we are consoled that God granted him a bountiful life to a ripe old age.
My sincere condolences go to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, Ogbagba II; the entire Balogun Dynasty and Jadiara/Funsegbuwa Royal ruling House, Olorituns and the entire Ijebu people home and abroad for this great loss. Nigeria has indeed lost one of its illustrious sons.”
“We pray that the good Lord would grant his repose eternal rest and for the family that he left behind to be able to mourn his passage with great strength.”
The closeness between Otunba Subomi Balogun and ex-Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was never hidden. Many people wonder how these 2 distinguished gentlemen became so close that they refer to each other as Father and Son.
The late Otunba Subomi had publicly said that he had adopted OGD as his first born, while OGD has always been proud to refer to the iconic banker as a father.
Last year, the former Ogun Governor held a classy wedding ceremony for his beloved son, Adebola who got married to his beau, Morenike. What surprised many people was the presence of Otunba Subomi Balogun, who came in the capacity of the Chairman of the day. It had been a while Otunba Subomi stepped out to any Owambe at that time, despite being grand master of Nigeria’s social establishment who regularly featured at many A-list events in the country. It was because of the fear of COVID. Throughout 2020, Otunba Subomi stayed back in London till 2021. He gave parties wide berth.
OGD must have been so important to the 89 year old man to have been able to pull him to the occasion. Of course, since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, Otunba Subomi Balogun had been out of the country, faraway in London spending quality time with his wife, some of his children and grandchildren.
Another event that revealed the extent of the relationship between the 2 great men was the recent Adura Odun, an annual thanksgiving service courtesy Otunba Subomi Balogun, the Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Ijebuland. At that event, he explained how their paths crossed many years back and how their relationship turned into godfather and godson thing.
This event was not the only place where OGD and Otunba Subomi Balogun’s relationship became obvious, it has been recurring for years. There is no birthday thanksgiving of Otunba Subomi Balogun that OGD does not attend and vice versa.
Otunba Subomi Balogun has on many occasions described the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as his “beloved son” and an integral part of the Subomi family. He reaffirmed this at this year’s Adura Odun, an annual visitation thanksgiving service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ijebu area at his residence, the Otunba Tunwase Court in his country home, Ijebu Ode.
“Gbenga is my first child. He himself has adopted me as a father. He has been very close to me long before he joined politics. There was a day he approached my office, telling my workers that he would love to meet me. I was also interested in meeting him. So when he came, he told me he would love to make me his mentor. Later on, he brought his wife to meet me. I thought that was all. He went ahead to surprise me at the wedding ceremony of one of my children, then he just became the governor. He then made it known to the public that aside my 4 sons, he is also my first son. People seated on that day were overwhelmed. And ever since, he has been relating with me as a father. Even his late father used to call me Baba Gbenga.
At the event, Otunba Gbenga Daniel also spoke about their closeness and why he chose to make Otunba Subomi Balogun his mentor. He said: “As you are aware and as he has rightly said, I have taken after him in various ways. There are certain areas where I can never get close to him. You know he is a great banker, one of the best and most successful indigenous bankers. I am an engineer. But in certain ways, you will recognise him as a man of excellence. Somebody who is thorough and somebody whose memory is impeccable. He would recall what happened 40 year/50 years back and recall who and who attended which meetings. These are part of the things we are trying to learn from him.
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