Olowude, a colossus – Wiggle

 

Wiggle

 

Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association, Godwin Wiggle has described the late immediate past chairman of the Association and Executive Vice Chairman of Industrial And General, Remi Olowude as a colossus who cannot be replaced and whose shoes are hard to fill.

Speaking at the Service of Songs organized by the Association for the late former chairman, at the Muson centre, Wiggle regretted that the late past Chairman could not achieve most of the things he set for himself before answering the final call.

He described the late Olowude as a man of substance who used his wealth to build people and institutions.

Wiggle said Olowude was a thoroughbred professional who stood miles apart from his peers and contemporaries.

"He set the pace and changed the face of insurance. He broke barriers and conquered the insurance world in Nigeria and Africa. It is unfortunate that death did not allow his ample time to implement some of the programs he reeled out during his investiture" he added.

Tears flowed freely and emotions ran high as friends, colleagues and associates took turns to pay tribute to the late insurance czar whom many described as a builder of men.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA) led by its President, Yetunde Adenuga -Alatishe chronicled Olowude’s many firsts in his career in the Insurance industry and how he conquered the Insurance world. She described the late Remi Olowude as a trial-blazer and go-getter who conquered many odds in his early life to etch his name in gold in the field of business.

She described the late Insurance guru as the greatest supporter and financier of the group and prayed for God’s eternal protection on the family.

There was also a procession by the IGI Alunmi - which is an aggregation of men former employees

In an emotion-laden speech, one of the daughters of the late Insurance giant, Bukky Olowude described her father as a rare gem and a supporter who helped people to actualize their vision.

She thanked all the guests especially the Alumni of the company who passed through what she described as Olowude school of management.

Speaking in the same vein, the representative of the commissioner for insurance, Segun Farinu exhorted the virtues of the deceased insurance guru and urged the management of IGI and the family not to allow his death to impact negatively on the company. "You must keep the flag flying he was a man of honour. You owe it a duty to ensure that his legacies continue to live on" he advised.

In his sermon, the officiating Minister Venerable Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi, who incidentally handed over the mantle of NIA leadership to Olowude urged those present to live a life worthy of emulation.

Venerable Ladipo-Ajayi who quote copiously from the Holy Bible noted that the late past Chairman had run a good race and had gone to rest. He admonished those present to seek after good name instead of riches.

Using the analogy of Lazarus and the rich man to buttress his point, Venerable Ladipo-Ajayi said the testimonies of people about the generosity and kindheartedness of the late insurance giant had shown that he used his resources to assist the less privileged people. He prayed that God would grant the soul of the late past Chairman of the Association eternal rest.

The brief but colorful event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including friends, family and associates.

Notable personalities at the event include the Apostle Hayford Alile, Chairman of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Ephraim Faloughi, The Guardian publisher, Maiden Ibru, Former Commissioner for Insurance, Chief Eugene Okwor, former Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association, Chief Anthony A. Akintunde, Chief Michael Olawale Cole among others.