Sad news just reaching us indicates that Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Chief Bayo Kuku is dead! The ever bubbly businessman who has been out of circulation for months died yesterday.
The corporate titan was once the Vice Chairman of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and the President of Nigerian Stock Exchange. A respected high chief, the Ogboni Oja of Ijebuland will be buried in Ijebu Ode his homestead today.
Chief Bayo Kuku Chief (Dr.) Bayo Kuku was born 14th September 1930 in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State.
He attended University College, London (1959-62); and University of California (1962-63). He started his career as a State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice (1963-64) and rose to become the Executive Vice-Chairman of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (1964-81) and Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (1981-83).
He has also served as member, Federal Board of Tax Appeal Commission (1967-73); Chairman and Acting Pro-Chancellor, University of Ife Governing Council (1978-79) Founding member, Board of Directors FBN (Merchant Bankers) Limited; Member, International Bar Association (IBA); and in several committees.
Chief Kuku has headed the Board of Directors of various companies and he was the President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (1987-91). He has received many awards, including the Distinguished Service Award of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce (June 1991); DCL (Honorius Causa)-Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (December 1992); Fellow, University College, London (December 1994); and he became Honorary Citizen-City of New Orleans, USA (1977).
He is the Ogbeni-Oja of Ijebuland, Chairman-Council of Ijebu Chiefs, Honorary Life Vice President-Ijebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His numerous philanthropic activities include Endowment of Professional chairs in Nigerian Universities, Annual prize-Best Student in Oil & gas Law, University of Lagos, scholarships to indigent Students etc. He is married with children. Chief (Dr.) Bayo Kuku was conferred with the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in recognition of his far reaching and outstanding contribution to Nigeria
