Ajibola Afonja, former Minister of Labour and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, has died.
A family source said the Oyo-born prince died on Sunday night at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the age of 82.
He was taken to UCH, where he died after being involved in an accident in Ilora, a few kilometers from his home in Eleekara.
A prominent Oyo socio-political group, the Oyo Global Forum, mourned his passing in a statement by its chairman, Taiwo Adebayo. Afonja, former Labour Minister and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria died on Sunday night at 82.
He was a national figure with influence, but he was critical to the Oyo community, where he was a pioneer as an industrialist. He was generous and kind, and his absence will be felt.
Until his last month, IDS, as he was known, worked hard and tried to improve the country’s economy. It was the E-Customs project.
“We will miss him, but his spirit of generosity and leadership will live on. We will honor his memory by continuing his legacy of service and compassion, which he supported during his lifetime.
The group sends its condolences to his family, the Oyo community, friends, and associates during this time of mourning.
Osun Defender reports that he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Bank Plc and Minister of Labour under Shonekan.
Afonja was chairman of many companies.
He got a degree in accounting from Kingston University in the UK in 1970.
After graduating, he started working for John Mowlem & Co., a UK construction firm with notable works at Buckingham Palace, the House of Commons, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge, Manchester Metrolink, and the Dublin Port Tunnel.
He was an accountant for a subsidiary company from 1971 to 1972 and a Group Assets Management Accountant from 1972 to 1974. He returned to Nigeria in 1974.