Molade Okoya-Thomas (1935-2015)

Renowned industrialist, sports patron and business mogul,
Chief Molade Alexander Okoya-Thomas has passed on. The
great philanthropist and Pro- Chancellor of Lagos State
University (LASU) died last week in Lagos of an undisclosed
ailment at the age of 79. With his death, Nigeria lost an indus­
trial giant and entrepreneur par excellence. His passage has
expectedly elicited glowing tributes from many Nigerians,
including President Goodluck Jonathan.
In his tribute, President Jonathan said that the outstanding
entrepreneur “lived a very worthy and fulfilled life and left a
legacy of great entrepreneurial achievements for his
successors to build on.” Former Vice President, Atiku
Abubakar, described the deceased as pioneer and a visionary
who belonged to a generation of private sector investors who
saw opportunities in making investments in the economy when
it was risky to do so. His death, he said, is a huge blow to
the Nigerian business community .The Lagos State
Government described the deceased as a model for the
present generation. Speaking on behalf of the state govern­
ment, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr.
Aderemi Ibirogba, said: “He left a virtue for the present
generation. For instance, in spite of his status, he never
arrived late to any event he was invited. This is one quality
this generation needs to emulate from him. He loved youths
and until his death, he demonstrated his love for the youths
through organizing and sponsoring the Asoju Oba Cup.”
The Lagos State University (LASU) Student Union Government
said he would be missed for his contribution to education and
the institution. These worthy testimonials attest to his out­
standing character that is worthy of emulation by Nigerians.
The deceased was born in Lagos on June 8, 1935 to late
Hussam Okoya- Thomas (the first Baba Adinni of Furabay
Mosque, Olowogbowo, Lagos), and late Alhaja Suwebat
Okoya-Thomas (nee Gbajabiamila, Otun Iya Adinni of Idita
Mosque).
He attended several schools including the Princess School,
Lagos, 1946; Balham and Tooting College of Commerce,
London, 1956-1959; Columbia University, New York, US, 1981.
Okoya-Thomas was appointed Director Transcap Nigeria
Limited; Director, Niger Motors Industries Limited; Chairman,
Studio Press Nigeria Limited and Chairman, CFAO.
He was a member, Lagos City Council from 1971- 1975, Lagos
State Development and Property Corporation; Chairman, Board
of Trustees Glover Memorial Hall and Tom Jones Hall. The
deceased was conferred with the prestigious French national
honour, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. The Federal
Government of Nigeria conferred on him the national honour,
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Officer
of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). He also held the
titles of Asoju Oba of Lagos, Babasuwa of Ijebu Remo and
Odofin of Ife. He was an active sportsman in his youth. For
instance, he was a Joint All Nigeria Record Holder of 4×220
yards relay race while at Baptist Academy, Lagos. He also
sponsored the annual Asoju-Oba Table Tennis Championships
for over four decades, thereby setting a record as the only Ni­
gerian to have consistently sponsored a competition spanning
over four decade, single-handed. His philanthropy knew no
bounds. He served among others as the Chairman, 3rd All
Africa Games Appeal Fund. He built and donated a Modern
Sports Hall to students and staff of LASU in 2009. He was a
member of the fund-raising committee for the construction of
Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
The death of Okoya-Thomas has sadly depleted the ranks of
the nation’s business icons and he will be missed for his
remarkable support to entrepreneurship, education and young
Nigerians. We join his family, friends and the Nigerian
business community to mourn his demise. Let the remarkable
entrepreneurial skills and philanthropic spirit of this industrial
giant and patriot serve as beacons for the present generation
of Nigerian businessmen.
No doubt, the deceased left indelible footprints on the nation’s
industrial landscape. His life of service to the country is,
indeed, worthy of emulation. We commiserate with his family,
friends and the entire people of Lagos State on his departure.
May God grant him eternal repose.