Otunba Femi Dinah is an accomplished Chartered Accountant. He is also a business & legal consultant who is also a scholar. He was a former Executive Director of Finance at Elf Petroleum Nigeria Ltd. And he serves on the board of several companies and organisations.
He is a well-respected indigene of Ijebu Igbo. No wonder he has served the town in many capacities. He was the Chairman of the Orimolusi coronation committee. He was also the Chairman of the recent Orimolusi Ojude Oba 2022 held in Ijebu Igbo.
He has a Master’s degree (LLM) from the University of London (specialising in Corporate and Commercial Law), and a second Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), with a specialisation in Strategic Management. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants of Great Britain. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a director of the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
He is the author of 3 books. One is on Strategic Thinking in Business Organisations, which is of interest to business organisations and entities where it is imperative to continually look for better ways of doing things.
The 2nd book is Strategic Business Management, which has been of interest to aspiring businessmen and women who intend to start their own businesses or those who wish to learn a new strategic approach to marketing and competing in their chosen areas of activity. The 3rd book is on INSURANCE Law: Doctrines, Principles & Concepts.
A few days back, this handsome and easy-going elder statesman who is in his 70s spoke to the City People duo of SEYE KEHINDE & SUNDAY ADIGUN about his life. He also reviewed the recently held Orimolusi Ojude Oba and why it was a huge success. Below are excerpts.
What was the significance of the last Orimolusi Ojude Oba Festival?
It was a big Ojude Oba Festival with the Orimolusi in attendance. The last time we had an Ojude Oba with the sitting King in attendance was about 28 years ago. The one we just had has a special significance. The Regberegbe groups that organised the festival actually did a good job and they brought everybody on board.
They called me that I should chair the occasion and I couldn’t reject it because I was the Chairman of the Coronation Committee. I tried to reject it but I was told by some of my friends to accept the Chairmanship.
I know it is my town and I can not just dissociate myself from what is going on in Ijebu-Igbo. I am so happy that it was extremely successful and we are also looking forward to the first anniversary of Orimolusi.
What is the difference between this year’s anniversary and the previous ones?
The attendance of this year’s event was massive. There was the presence of prominent people in society. People in the diaspora too joined the anniversary virtually.
We are all happy that Ijebu-Igbo is taking its place among other big towns in Ogun State.
Can you share with us the big deal about Ojude Oba?
It started with Muslims paying homage to the Oba but is now adopted by the town to pay homage to the King. It is now an annual ritual where we pay our allegiance to our King and we make promises to develop the town. The festival is now done in all the other Ijebu towns like Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and other Ijebu towns.
How did the King feel about the festival?
Kabiyeesi was very happy to see everybody participate in the success of the programme. Also, being the first time of his reign, he couldn’t hide his joy. All the Regberegbe paid homage to him. He now knows that becoming an Orimolusi isn’t a mistake but it was destined by God.
Is every older and prominent people member of the Regberegbe group?
Not everyone is a member of Regberegbe, especially people who don’t live in Ijebu-Igbo but everyone has a connection with the group one way or the other. I am not a member of Regberegbe but one of the patrons of Regberegbe.
What are the contributions of Regberegbe to Ijebu-Igbo?
Regberegbe is a very contributive group because they always adopt a project individually in the town from time to time and execute it. They have executed a lot of projects in the town. They look for the needs of the town and they make sure they secure the needs. It is not a group of dancing and drinking. They really impact developments in the town.
As an Ijebu-Igbo indigene, what can you say about Ijebu-Igbo?
Ijebu-Igbo is one of the biggest towns in Ogun State. The town has suffered a lot of decline because of a lack of coordination. Ijebu-Igbo has 5 Quarters with their Kings and Orimolusi is the monarch over the 5 jurisdictions.
How is the King coping with the huge responsibility around him?
He is creating a lot of committees that can oversee the various aspects of governance. He also has advisers that will help him to rule the town. The Orimolusin-in-Council is there to support him. He is not a dictator. He carries everybody along with whatever decision he is taking.
How do you cope with a lot of responsibilities on you?
I can tell you that it is not easy at all to attend to issues, meetings and a lot of other responsibilities. But right now, I have taken Ijebu-Igbo as my priority, among others.
I spend the remaining time on other responsibilities I have like my business. I am the Chairman of a company, but I still subordinate that to the welfare of Ijebu-Igbo.
About your career, what is the aspect you are into? How do you cope?
I am a Chartered Accountant and I have a Master’s Degree in Law. I am also a member of 4 to 5 professional bodies. It is based on proper planning. I am the Chairman of a Micro-Finance Bank in Ijebu-Igbo and most of my job is advisory and policy implementation, not day-to-day visitation.
Tell us about your background…
I was born in Oke-Agbo in Ijebu-Igbo. I went to school in Ibadan for my primary education. Then, I came back to a modern school in Ijebu-Igbo and later to Teacher’s Training College.
I left teaching for Yaba College of Technology to study Accounting and from there, I was recruited by a company and sent to the UK. I came back after some years to Ijebu-Igbo.
In your childhood, was accounting your passion?
No! I wanted to be a Journalist. I had an Uncle then, Mr Ewejimi, an Accountant, the Chairman of the National Bank. He was the one who encouraged me to read Accounting because of my diligence and brilliance. I obliged then. I enrolled for ICAN and I passed even as a prize winner before I went to the UK for my ACCA.
What are the kinds of advice you give to youths nowadays?
Well! When I was young, career counselling was probably non-existence. I do tell youths to go for passion. Do what you enjoy doing. Get focused on it and the money will come. It is very easy. If I hadn’t been an Accountant, I would have been a lecturer because I love reading a lot.
What led you into studying Law?
Accounting used to be a branch of law because it comprises Law and business. When I finished my degree in Accounting and to have in-depth knowledge of Accountancy and the Laws that guide it, I have to opt for law as my master’s degree course, I specialised in Business Law.
What do you do in your leisure time?
I am a member of many clubs, so, I go clubbing, play a lot of games, Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club and others. I love football too.
What football club are you supporting?
I used to be a fan of Manchester United but when they are not doing well, I moved to Liverpool.
What type of person are you?
I am a very casual and easy-going person. I am a fun-loving person too. I dislike quarrels and I mind my own business. I administer peace among my friends.
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