During the week, a number of financial organisations thought it wise to honour late Subomi Balogun, the founder of First City Monument Bank Group, FCMB who died on May 18 in a London hospital following a brief illness.
The philanthropist, who is widely regarded as the doyen of the banking industry, was 89 when he died. Following his death, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and other market participants on Monday held a mock-trading session and Closing Gong Ceremony in his honour. Speakers at the event paid glowing tribute to him while emphasising that he was a blessing to the capital market, one who played a significant role in the development of investment banking in Nigeria and had laid the foundation for many of the nation’s first equity offerings while working at ICON Securities.
Earlier that same day, a commendation service took place at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. On Tuesday, July 5th, there was a night of tribute in his honour, This took place at Eko Hotel and Suites and it had quite a number of dignitaries in attendance.
Those who made it to the night of tribute include, Razak Okoya, Olu Okeowo and his wife, Folashade, former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, Bola Shagaya, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo etc. On Wednesday July 6, there was a lying-in-state in his hometown in Ijebu Ode at his Otunba Tunwase Court. This continued till the next day, Friday, July 7, 2023. By the afternoon of Friday, the Ijebu Ode chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria held a service of songs at his Otunba Tunwase Court as the Asiwaju of Ijebu Ode Christians.
A wake was also held at the same venue later that day. On Saturday July 8, was his funeral service at Cathedral Church of Our Saviour in Ijebu Ode. After he was interred, a lavish reception where guests were feted was held later that same day, thus, marking the final exit of a corporate icon.
