Remembering Molade Okoya-Thomas (1935-2015)

Thomas Campbell, 19th century Scottish poet, in his poem ‘Hallowed Ground’, states that “to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”. It is on this premise that we believe that even though dead and buried, Molade Alexandria Okoya-Thomas, Lagos-based business mogul, sports enthusiast and patron, renowned philanthropist and one of Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs, lives on in the legacies he left behind.

Indeed, Okoya-Thomas, whose death occurred in Lagos on Monday, February 2, 2015, at the age of 79, left indelible footprints, particularly in business, sports, education, and philanthropy.

Until his death, he was chairman of many business organisations, including CFAO Nigeria Limited, CICA (Nigeria) Ltd., Transcap Nigeria Ltd., Oktom Investment Ltd., Itochu Nigeria Ltd., Chiyoda Nigeria Ltd. and Anchoria Investment & Securities Ltd. He also served as director of NFI Insurance Company plc and Gateway Bank plc.

In the area of sports development, Okoya-Thomas was the sole sponsor of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championships for over four decades, setting a record as the only Nigerian to have single-handedly and consistently sponsored a competition spanning such a long period of time. The tournament, which began in 1968, produced some of the continent’s greatest players, including Atanda Musa, the late Yomi Bankole and Biola Odumosu, as well as Babatunde Obisanya, former Nigeria national coach.

Khaled El-Salhy, president, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), said this much during a condolence visit to the deceased’s family accompanied by other members of the federation. Acknowledging the immense contribution of the business mogul to sports development, the ATTF helmsman described the late Okoya-Thomas as a strong supporter of table tennis in Africa, saying he was a great man who used his wealth to promote a cause that has changed the lives of so many individuals in Nigeria.

“We believe this great and respectable man has gone but his ideals will still remain with us. He was a strong supporter of the game and he necessitated the birth of the Lagos Open. We hope that his ideal will be preserved and nurtured by the family even as we hope that others in the continent will emulate this great man,” El-Salhy said.

In 2009, Okoya-Thomas built and donated a modern sports hall for students and staff of the Lagos State University (LASU). He was also a prominent member of the fundraising committee for the construction of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. Furthermore, Molade Okoya-Thomas served as vice-chairman, Lagos State Sports Council, president, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, chairman, 3rd All-Africa Games Appeal Fund Committee, chairman, National Appeal Fund for Sports Development, and chairman, Sports Trust Fund.

It was in recognition of his contribution to sports development in Lagos that the then commissioner for youth, sports and social development in the state, Ademola Adeniji-Adele, announced the state government’s decision to celebrate Okoya-Thomas at 75, eventually naming the indoor sports hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium after him.

Beyond business and sports, his impact was also felt in the field of education, where he served as chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) until his death.

Born in Lagos on June 8, 1935, Molade Okoya-Thomas attended Princess School, Lagos and Baptist Academy, Lagos. He thereafter proceeded to Balham and Tooting College of Commerce, London, UK, where he studied Accountancy, and later had further training in Accounting at Columbia University, New York, USA.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Okoya-Thomas gained employment as an accountant at CFAO, a multinational company engaged in the sale of manufactured goods, especially automobiles and pharmaceutical products. Records have it that he was the first local staff of CFAO, a company he served for 52 years and rose through the ranks to become its chairman.

The late business mogul held the traditional titles of Asoju Oba of Lagos, Babasuwa of Ijebu-Remo, and Odofin of Ife. He was also a recipient of the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, the highest national honour given by the French to a foreigner.

In a condolence message to the family, President Goodluck Jonathan said Molade Okoya-Thomas “lived a very worthy and fulfilled life, and left a legacy of great entrepreneurial achievements for his successors to build on”.

Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State governor, described him as an epitome of humaneness and dedication to service, saying, “His fidelity and commitment were undaunted. We will miss his counsel and undying desire to serve. No assignment was too small for him once it afforded him the opportunity to serve.”

For us, beyond the accolades, the life of Molade Okoya-Thomas is a lesson in selfless service, especially for Nigeria’s do-or-die politicians most of whose motivation in seeking political offices is personal aggrandisement and primitive accumulation of wealth. Here was a man who used his hard-earned personal wealth to serve his community, state and country without counting the cost.