Citation on Late FOLUSHO ADADEVOH by Barr. Loius Ojomoh. PRESENTED AT THE FELLOWS DINNER OF Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria in memory and honour of the Jolly good Fellow of the Institute who slept in the Lord on Sunday 23rd November 2014.
Foluso Adadevoh was born 13th December 1965 in Ibadan where lived and schooled until she went to the University of Ilorin to Study Theatre Arts from where she graduated in 1987 and proceeded to do her NYSC in Benin. Despite having lived all her life in the Western part of Nigeria, Foluso adapted to life in Edo State so well that she did not return to Ibadan after her Service year, spending the rest of her life in Benin until her passing on the 23rd November 2014.
She started work at New Nigeria Bank (as it then was) in the Industrial Relations Department and due to her extra-ordinary performance during the service year she was given a permanent appointment in the Bank as a trainee officer in 1988. Anybody who knew Foluso knows she was a very strong, determined, competent and self driven woman, it was not a surprise then that from Trainee position she rose up the precarious Banking ladder becoming a Corporate Affairs Officer within one year and finally becoming a branch Manager, first at the Etete Branch in 1994 and thereafter also manager in several other New Nigeria Bank Branches.
Foluso sought after excellence in all she did and was forever looking to develop herself. In 1997 she bagged a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Benin.
In the year 2000, what she considered the greatest event in her life occurred when she gave birth to her lovely daughter Ilerioluwa, in Dublin Ireland. Henceforth, this singular event would shape every decision she made in her life and in 2002 she voluntarily resigned from New Nigeria Bank to chart a new career path. Her exposure as a banker to Corporate Bodies, Business Owners, Industry Giants a made her an invaluable asset to potential employers when she left the Bank and she was immediately snapped up by MGN Nigeria Ltd where she worked as Director of Administration for two years. She later became a Business Development Manager for University of Benin and later Benson Idahosa University where she consulted until her passing away.
Foluso was an efficient multi-tasker and was legendary at being able to squeeze 25 hours out of a 24 hour day. Tireless, bubbly, and always having time for everybody. A giver extraordinaire. A mentor to so many, job provider and financier for the poor and needy. At times her house looked like an out station for Internally displaced persons as she took young children and adults off the street to live in her house. Never afraid that such persons may potentially expose her to risks. She would cloth and feed them, pay school fees, medical bills. A very resourceful woman who was kind to all. But she was nobody’s fool and had a very firm and stern side to her as anybody who ever worked with her can testify.
Foluso was especially passionate about Youth Empowerment, Women Development, Entrepreneurial Development and being involved in Corporate Practice at the highest level. She was a strong Christian and a prayer Warrior who had strong ties with the Church of God Mission and the Benson Idahosa Family.
Foluso was an avid reader and had enviable private library. Her knowledge always made her formidable in any Boardroom. Generally, if you met Foluso once, you would not forget her. She always somehow managed to make an impression on everybody she interacted with.
She was a volunteer mentor, Facilitator and Counsellor to the African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development. A lecturer, Facilitator, Adviser and a Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria. She was in fact responsible for the growth of the Institute here in Edo State until her passing away. She was a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management. A member of the Institute of Marketing. In 2011 she became a Certified Professional in Project Management (PRINCE 2). She was the Project Administrator for Benson Idahosa University Cancer Diagnostics, Research and Education Centre from 2011 to 2013 and a Consultant for BIU Consultancy Services from July 2013 until she left this world to a greater place.
Foluso is survived by her precious daughter, Ilerioluwa, her step-father and her mother, as well as her two sisters. I will not attempt to make a roll call of her numerous friends, associates and well wishers. But i dare say a large percentage of this gathering had a close relationship with her. If Foluso was asked to say something about herself I think what would have been most important for her to say would have been that she tried to be the best mother she could be for her daughter and that she always tried to improve on any situation she came across, leaving it better than she meet it.
Foluso Adadevoh, a rare breed, an achiever and a great flag bearer for all that the Institute of Strategic Management stands for. Continue to Rest in Peace.