Foremost industrialist and boardroom guru, Deacon Gamaliel Offoritsenere Onosode died yesterday after a protracted illness. He was 82.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued by his family signed by Ese Onosode. The statement reads:“It is with gratitude to God for a life well-spent that we announce the passing of our great father, grandfather, brother, uncle, Mr. Gamaliel O. Onosode, who joined our heavenly father in glory at 8.15 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. He spent a day in Nigeria before, he finally bowed to the undisclosed ailment,” he said.
Tributes have been pouring in on a man many described as a ‘man of integrity’. President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, government and people of Delta State, and the Nigerian Baptist Convention on the passing away of their illustrious son and evangelist. “The President joins them in mourning Mr. Onosode, who apart from being a colossus in Nigeria’s private sector, also excelled in public service on various occasions. The President urges his family, friends, associates and other Nigerians to honour Mr. Onosode’s memory by upholding the virtues of integrity, honesty and dedication to service, which he passionately promoted in his long and highly successful career in the private and public sectors.”
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode expressed sadness over Onosode’s death. Ambode, in a statement yesterday said Onosode was one of the few Nigerians who ruled boardrooms in style. “He was a quintessential businessman, a master in his field and deeply religious. It was not therefore surprising that he rose to become a leading boardroom player in Nigeria’s corporate environment.“He will be remembered for the dexterity he brought to bear when he served as chairman and board member of several multinational companies. I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the Onosode family on behalf of the good people of Lagos State. This is indeed a sad loss,” the Governor said.
Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday also paid tributes, describing Onosode as Mr. Integrity who was not opportuned to govern Nigeria. In a condolence message, Uduaghan said that Onosode’s death was a big loss to Nigeria and Delta State in particular.
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku described the late Gamaliel Onosode as a true symbol of integrity, an outstanding patriot and an icon of the best of Nigeria’s national values. ‘‘An iroko in the corporate world has fallen,’’ “Gam’, as he was called by his contemporaries, was a true symbol of integrity in the boardroom. He was an outstanding patriot and an icon of the best on Nigeria’s national values,’’ Anyaoku said.
Tributes are still pouring in.
