Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has paid tribute to the late Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, who passed away at the age of 96, describing him as an icon, hero, and ardent patriot of Nigeria.
The announcement of Akinkugbe’s passing was made on Monday. He was the elder brother of the late Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe, a close friend of Obasanjo, who died in 2020 at the age of 87.
In a condolence message released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo expressed his personal loss, stating, “His demise got to me with the feeling of a sense of personal loss as he was the elder brother of my late bosom friend, Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe, whose life and path intertwined with mine in many respects.”
Obasanjo praised Chief Akinkugbe’s exemplary leadership and lifelong dedication to the highest standards in business and society, saying, “Chief Olu Akinkugbe was an icon and a hero in the true sense of these words. We thank God for his illustrious life of exemplary leadership, ardent patriotism, and lifelong devotion to the cause of upholding the highest standards of conduct in his business endeavors and within our society.”
He noted that Akinkugbe was a special gift to the nation, living a rich and fruitful life that many aspire to emulate. Obasanjo highlighted Akinkugbe’s legendary contributions to pharmacology in Nigeria, including his role as the pioneer General-Secretary of the defunct Nigerian Union of Pharmacists (NUP) and his involvement with the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA).
Additionally, Akinkugbe served as the first Nigerian Chairman of Procter and Gamble Nigeria Plc and was a former Chairman of Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline). Obasanjo expressed pride in Akinkugbe’s achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development.
Currently in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly session, Obasanjo reflected on the impact of Akinkugbe’s wise counsel. He concluded, “An employer of labor, a philanthropist, Chief Akinkugbe’s selfless services to the country and exemplary leadership will be greatly missed by his community, Local Government Area, State, and the nation in general.”
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