RT HON TJ YUSUF PAYS TRIBUTE TO A QUINTESSENTIAL ADMINISTRATOR; PRAGMATIC BRIDGE-BUILDER; ALTRUISTIC PERSONALITY: ALHAJI ABDULGANIYU OBATOYINBO
Friday, September 5, a message from Nigeria threw me off balance. In my state of confusion, I was silently praying against the contents of the message. But, sadly, a few calls, chats, and messages thereafter, confirmed that our very dear loving, and charismatic Alhaji Abdulganiyu Obatoyinbo passed away in London, after a brief illness.
One is still in shock and pain, asking why Allah SWT decided to call him home at a time when his dedication and commitment to the growth and development of Iyamoye; his ancestral home, Okun Nation, Kogi State, and Nigeria is most needed.
Indeed, his death is not only an irreparable loss to the illustrious Obatoyinbo Family, but also to numerous people within Nigeria whose lives he impacted positively.
Alhaji Obatoyinbo, was a special gift and a wonderful personality who lived a life anchored on reverence to Allah SWT, and service to humanity. He was a man in whose shadow many people were nurtured; a veritable guardian to accomplished personalities; a resourceful mentor to successful mentees; a pragmatic bridge-builder; quintessential administrator; altruism personified; and a detribalized patriot.
He had a most distinguished career in Nigeria’s civil service as he functioned in many strategic agencies which includes Secretary of Programmes, National Poverty Eradication Programme, (NAPEP); Director, Ministries of Commerce & Industries; Interior; Women Affairs; Tourism & Culture; National Planning Commission; and as Administrator, Public Service Institute of Nigeria, (PSIN), where he was before his death.
Though painful that he has gone to be with his Creator, we are comforted that Alhaji Obatoyinbo left behind legacies of uprightness, selflessness, hard work, leadership, integrity, and excellence. In all his formal, communal, religious, and philanthropy engagements and endeavours, the personal growth of people remained unequivocal.
It is my prayers that in this moment of grief, Allah SWT will comfort his Family and every others close to him, and have had interactions with him. I also pray that God will forgive his shortcomings, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus!
RT. HON. TEEJAY YUSUF
Managing Director
Twenty Five Eleven Limited
