ADIEU PROFESSOR AKINLAWON LADIPO MABOGUNJE RESPECTED AND ACCLAIMED SCHOLAR, ADMIRED BOARD ROOM GURU, FINE GENTLEMAN.
By Chief Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo (Nee Shonibare)
Professor Akinlawon, Ladipo Mabogunje, a much treasured Uncle of mine, was a great example of the quintessential old guard, which he combined with an intuitive forward looking mind, making him a formidable, and much sought after addition to the board of the very best, national and international corporations. . A man of integrity, and great intellect, who paid scrupulous attention to detail, He was also a loving and adorable husband and father,
My Mother, Chief Mrs. Alice Olaperi Shonibae admired him greatly. And it was through her and her endless praises of him whenever they met at meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Ogun State University development foundation, and on which they both served, that I came to know Uncle.
She managed to convince him to join the board of our newly restructured company Shonny Investment and Properties company which held its first meeting on the 10th of February 1994.
He was an invaluable board member, bringing greater discipline, and corporate governance to our operations and discourse. I can attest to the fact that it was thanks to Professor Akin Mabogunje, and another one of our board members, who insisted that I, as managing director must have a contract of service, and gave samples from companies in which they served, to guide us on critical issues that needed to be explicitly stated in that contract… to put this in the proper context, I had been working for the company for some twenty odd years, and never did it occur to me. and for my own interest that this was critical.
How critical, his insistence was, I could never have imagined. For this I give you Uncle a special hug and say Bless your sir.
He decided to step down from the board of Shonny Investments and Company, following the death of our Mother, the Chairman of the company on April 25th 2006. He had made a conscious decision, now aged 75 years old, he explained, to step down from many boards and would now only serve on a very few carefully selected boards.
A great raconteur, he was formidable company at any event. One of the surprising discoveries about him, and the family was that they were all extraordinarily talented singers and musicians, a veritable Von Trappe like family, straight, out of the film Sound of music.
I can never forget the awesome performance they gave at Uncle’s 75th birthday celebrations, which was held in Abuja, of one of my favorite Canticles THE MAGNIFICAT. It was performed by the whole family. Amongst them were sopranos, tenors, a terrific assortment of a wide range of musical talents. Their rendition of The Magnificat was simply magnificent.
Though no longer active on our board, Uncle was always there to offer his wise advice and counsel, and direct us whenever we needed him on both company and family issues.
Uncle had a happy death. I salute all the children. And especially Professor Shade Ogunsola, and her amazing husband, for ensuring that his last years, when the inevitable aches and pain of old age was making it increasingly difficult for him and aunty to cope in Ibadan. Built a lovely cottage for Uncle and Aunty, next door to their home, making them independent enough to feel totally at home in their granny cottage, but close enough to ensure they had complete oversight of him, both medically and in the tedious matter of maintaining their household, The extraordinary care and oodles of love showered on him, by every one of his wonderful children, Is worthy of commendation, I praise and salute you all, I have no doubts that your children, will follow your exemplary example and take the same extraordinary care of you all in your old age. . .
What a beautiful way to slip away, without pain, next to his beloved wife, he crossed over quietly that fateful Thursday morning of August 4th quietly, peacefully to eternity.
Professor Akin Mabogunje, you fought the good fight, you finished the race, you kept the faith. Now there is a store in the crown of righteousness which awaits you with the Lord, the righteous judge.
What a sad day for us who loved Professor Akin Mabogunje, respected and acclaimed scholar, admired board room guru, fine gentleman, oh, but what a glorious and joyous day of glory in heaven, as he enters majestically with all the heavenly chimes emblazing, beckoning him to take his place in the honored seat of eternal life.
All my Love, and with much respect.
Chief Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo