The No. 4 Batsman: Tribute to Christopher O. Ogunbanjo

Bashorun J.K. Randle, a renowned chartered accountant and chairman of J.K. Randle Professional Services, is a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); and former chairman, KPMG Nigeria and Africa Region

In cricket the number 4 slot is the preserve of the batsman who is most likely to hit a century (one hundred runs).  His score card would have provided robust evidence of consistent performance regardless of the quality (or fierce hostility) of the opponents or prevailing weather conditions.

Chris Oladipo Ogunbanjo, a traditional Nigerian chief, who bagged the national honour of Commander Order of the Niger ( C.O.N.) was eminently qualified for that role.  Until a few months ago, it was a safe bet he would hit a century – 100 not out!  Alas, here we are – he was bowled out two months (two balls/overs) before the 100 birthday which all of us were eagerly looking forward to celebrating with our much beloved Papa, elder statesman, quintessential lawyer, entrepreneur, community leader and above all a custodian of the mores and traditions of Ijebu/Yoruba culture as well as our nation’s history which is no longer taught in schools.

There is no question about his well merited place amongst the pantheon of legal titans. The hubris and histrionics of the courtroom where, progressively decorum and justice have become a lottery, were not for him. He chose to pitch his tent in Corporate Law where he reaped a bountiful harvest of accolades and financial success. He was thoroughly professional and assiduous.  His fame and fortune were not confined to Nigeria.  Indeed, the world was his oyster. His big break came in 1972 following the promulgation of the Nigerian Enterprises Indigenisation Decree of 1972. Foreign owned companies were compelled by the military government of General Yakubu Gowon to sell part (or all) of their shares to Nigerians depending on which category they belonged to. The firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co. was the solicitor to virtually all the public offers.

He was very suave, dapper and charismatic. His foray into the legal profession started off when he was one of the founders of Samuel, Chris and Michael which was midwifed by Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo and Mr. Michael Odesanya. Chief Akintola went off into full time politics while Mr. Odesanya joined the bench (judiciary).

Chris Ogunbanjo stayed put but moved to an office at number 3 Prison Street, Lagos. Apologies, the address has been renamed 3, Hospital Road, Lagos. I suspect that clients did not appreciate the prospects of availing themselves of a lawyer on Prison Street! If the truth be told, the practice not only flourished (and continues to do so) it became the incubator for a long list of eminent lawyers who have risen to the highest echelons of the legal profession and the judiciary. All of them, without exception, are willing to swear on oath that Chief Ogunbanjo was a diligent teacher and mentor. He was a deep fountain of knowledge, wisdom and sagacity. He was an exemplar of all these.

History beckons. Old photographs mostly taken at the Island Club, Onikan, Lagos bear testimony to the reputation of Chief Ogunbanjo as a socialite of the highest order. When my late father, Chief J.K. Randle was the Chairman of the Club, Chief Ogunbanjo and Chief Adeyemi Lawson who were bosom friends were his favourites. If my dad was alive, he would be 114 years old. So he was much older than the pair of lawyers who had literally taken Lagos by storm.

Chief Lawson passed on 9th March 1993 and Chief J.K. Randle died on 17th December 1956 at the age of 47.  He did not even come close to hitting a century even though he was an outstanding cricketer! While he was a student at King’s College, he represented Nigeria in Cricket at the international level.

I remain eternally grateful to Chief Ogunbanjo who was the Chairman at my wedding to Chief Lawson’s  daughter, Folasade on 19th May 1979. He patiently gave me invaluable advice at the wedding reception but I cannot guarantee that when I was the best man at the wedding on 25th August 1975 of Olabisi (the daughter of Chief Ogunbanjo) and Olanrewaju Towry-Coker, the bachelors eve party that went on till the early hours of the wedding day did not take its toll. Somehow, I managed to produce the ring at the right time.

It would be a grave error of judgement to suggest that Chief (Dr.) Ogunbanjo cruised through life on “cruise control”. Not at all. He started off from humble beginnings.

“He was born on 14th December 1923 in Eruwon, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State to his parents, late Revd. Daniel Ajayi & Mrs. Christiana Towobola Ogunbanjo. His early life essentially revolved around the parsonage, the Church, the Choir Stalls and Sunday School of the little town of the outskirt of Ijebu-Ode and provided the foundation for a life of service. 

His father was, for many years, the Vicar of an epiphany Church, Eruwon, and is best remembered for his practice and preaching of a life of “Service of the Community”.  His father later moved to Ile-Ife.”

He subsequently gained admission to Igbobi College and I understand that he was until his demise the oldest surviving old boy of that  great institution. It was his fierce determination to succeed that propelled him to venture to England where he studied law at the University of London. By his own account, those were tough times but he was up to the task.

Perhaps it was his experience of harsh difficulties that galvanised his unwavering assistance to numerous beneficiaries who were not confined to his relatives.  Many of them were outside the shores of Nigeria. He touched many lives.

Indeed, he was a long-standing member of the Lion’s Club. I recall that by his own admission, what made life worth living in his old age was that he could continue to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Without question, he was a “Destiny Enabler” to many.

Perhaps that was what enabled him to bear with Christian fortitude the loss of his beloved wife Aunty Hilda on 2nd August 2004. He also survived the ordeal of an armed robbery attack in his own home on 29th July1999. Along the way, he had to cope with the death of three of his sons-in-law.

Chief (Dr.) Ogunbanjo was very much a family man and Mrs. Hilda Ogunbanjo, his soulmate was his backbone and rock. He did not indulge in the acquisition of private jets or super ocean-going yachts.  What he cherished were his homes in Lagos, London and Eruwon (where he will be buried on what would have been his 100th birthday). He was a man of impeccable taste combined with sartorial elegance. He was truly in his element at The Metropolitan Club, where he was the President  (from 2005 to 2008).

It is very much to the credit of The Metropolitan Club that when the dreaded General Sani Abacha regime unleashed tyranny on our beloved nation (following the annulment of the presidential election on June 12, 1993 by General Ibrahim Babangida, late Chief Sobo Sowemimo S.A.N. had no difficulty in persuading twelve other very senior members – former Chief Justice of the Federation; Ministers; Governor of the Central Bank; top civil servants, diplomats etc. to sign a petition which was widely publicised. They were very brave regardless of the obvious risk to their lives. For sure, the dictator was sufficiently provoked to threaten terror and harsh punishment. He was furious and it took a great deal of persuasion to calm him down.

Let us savour another occasion when The Metropolitan Club shone with flying colours by rejecting to participate in chicanery. The Governor of Lagos State distributed hefty sums of money, N50 million and in some cases N100 million each, to numerous social clubs. The Metropolitan Club was the only club that exercised moral authority and admirable rectitude by insisting that it is a club for gentlemen and could not afford to tarnish its reputation by receiving money better spent on health, education, roads, etc., at the expense of taxpayers.

Chief (Dr.) Ogunbanjo was a Rosicrucian. Many of you would no doubt recall that in his younger days he was a Scout and a keen swimmer in addition to playing tennis daily.

Of course, Chief (Dr.) Ogunbanjo was the quintessential corporate titan. He glided smoothly from the courtroom to the boardroom of a long list of blue-chip banks, publicly quoted companies as well as government entities. He was a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange; Nigerian Chamber of Commerce; Lagos Chamber of Commerce; Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce; Nigerian Institute of Management; Centre for Management Development etc. All these were in addition to his investments in numerous business enterprises. He had very strong views on what it would take to salvage the economy of Nigeria and launch it on the path of enduring prosperity.

He actually wrote a book: “Nigeria’s Economic and Industrial Development –  Which Way?”.  The book was published in 1983 and here we are 40 years later the question remains unanswered. Chief (Dr.) Ogunbanjo was Cerebral and erudite. In 1968, he represented Nigeria at the United Nations.

I had the privilege of witnessing at close range the professionalism of Papa when he was the Chairman of the Committee charged with drafting a new Companies and Allied Matters Act to replace what we had before which had remained sacrosanct since 1948! I must be careful not to exaggerate my own role. I was only a foot soldier while our best legal minds worked assiduously to deliver an excellent product that would command international respect.

As a partner in KPMG, (Chartered Accountants), it was my task to avail the Committee of the inputs from other territories through our firm’s network. The Committee under the able leadership of Chief  (Dr.) Ogunbanjo did a great job. Superlative.  That was in 1987.

As for those who insist on pondering on why the Chief did not venture into the judiciary, that must remain in the realm of speculation and imagination. The same applies to his aversion to politics. He would rather focus on acquiring skills that enabled him in his twilight years to become savvy in High Tech. He was digital and remained so until the very end.

In  his old age, he would lament in despair: “Agba soro da” (old age comes with pain) and conclude that his prayer was: “Kima ku iku oro” (I do not want a tortuous, protracted and agonising death).The Almighty granted his prayers. That is why we must not mourn. Rather we must rejoice.

As the Number 4 batsman, he is on his way back to the pavilion with his head held up high. In a short while he will take a bow; take off his helmet and unstrap the cricket pads. The game is not over until the blissful reunion of Papa Christopher with  Mama Hilda. They got married in 1953. If both were still alive they would have been married for 70 years this year. Together they would commence the next phase of their journey. For those left behind, we can only plead:  “GOD WE NEED YOU NOW”.

Chief (Dr.) Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, CON was a master of the game.  May his soul rest in peace.