When the news filtered in that the immediate past MD, and co-founder of GT Bank, Mr. Tayo Aderinokun of now blessed memories, was down with cancer, not a few people took the media very serious, not even Mr. Tayo who felt very furious about it and further went to debunk the Punch News paper the following day. Although it is only normal for one to feel his privacy is threatened by such story but many where of the opinion that it wasn’t the right thing to do, considering the enormity of his alleged ailment, cancer.
Months passed by and his health kept deteriorating, up to a stage where he was finally flown abroad for a proper medical attention. Although, Reportnigeria investigation revealed that while abroad on health grounds and friends and family on praying and fasting section, wishing him quick recovery, top directors in GT bank where busy fighting over who will take over Mr. Aderinokun ’s position in the bank, since according to a source they were convinced he was going to die, since he was cancer patient, incredible!
The seasoned banker is said to have been diagnosed with cancer of the lungs, an ailment he's been battling with for many years now.
Until his death, Mr Aderinokun was the chairman of the Association of Lekki Landlords and a supporter of the arts. He co-founded GT Bank in 1990 with Fola Adeola and served as deputy managing director for 12 years between 1990 and 2002, after which he became the managing director, a position he held until he died. He took ill in February and when he went on leave, an acting managing director, Segun Agbaje, took over. He was deputy managing director from 2002 until April 20.
A source at the bank told our reporter that management of the bank has immediately given a directive that all GTB flags in all its branches will fly at half mast tomorrow in honour the late MD.
His background
Mr Aderinokun graduated with a first degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. He went on to obtain an MBA with a special concentration in International Business from the Graduate School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles. He had Credit and Relationship Management training at the Chase Manhattan Bank Institute for International Banking, New York, USA between 1982 and 1983. He started work with the Central Bank of Nigeria in Calabar, Cross River State where he did his National Youth Service between 1977 and 1978. He worked with Chase Merchant Bank Nigeria Ltd (later renamed Continental Merchant Bank) from 1981 to 1988. He was at Prime Merchant Bank Ltd (1988 and 1989) as an assistant general manager rising to the position of head of the financial services division of the bank. In 1989, he set up a non-bank financial institution, First Marina Trust Ltd., which he ran for a year. In 1990, he co-founded Guaranty Trust Bank where he served as deputy managing director before assuming office as managing director/chief executive officer in August 2002. He was responsible for strategic policy direction as well as day-to-day administration of the bank. He was a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and also a recipient of numerous awards as an acknowledgement of his sterling leadership role in the achievements of the bank. He was also a recipient of the National Award of Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR).
Family comments
"We have no choice than to accept what has happened," said Bode Agusto, Mr Aderinokun's brother-in-law who spoke on his way to the airport to board a flight to London to finalise arrangements and convey the corpse back to Nigeria.
"We can't judge God," said Mr Agusto. "The wife and two kids are in England. One more kid is in Nigeria. There are no burial arrangements yet. We have lost a national asset. He would be remembered not only for his very high intellect, his significant contribution to his chosen vocation and even to other people and areas of life. He will also be remembered for his school, the Day Waterman College, a co-educational boarding school for children."
During Mr Aderinokun's time as managing director, GTB witnessed progress and growth and had emerged over the years as an industry leader and a pacesetter of innovations in the banking industry. It is now easily acknowledged and recognised as one of the most profitable and professionally managed corporate institutions in Nigeria and has been the recipient of several awards for exemplary corporate governance practices and excellent customer service.
Mr. Aderinokun, died on Tuesday, (June 14, 2011) at 56 in an undisclosed London hospital and or for the records, his last major outing was online at a question and answer webcast session with customers and the general public on January 11. His deputy, Mr. Segun Agbaje have been hinted to take over the management of the bank.
Friends and family, said and are still saying, Adieu, Tayo Adenirokun, Adieu.
by Desmond Ike
