Chief Bayo Kuku is Dead

Frontline industrialist and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Chief Bayo Kuku is dead, Ijebu News Xtra magazine can reliably inform.

He died this morning after a protracted battle with undisclosed illness. Though he was over 80 years old at the time of his death, still his death served as a rude shock to his friends, family and business associates.

Many of the sympathizers, who thronged his residence to commiserate with his family, expressed their regrets at the untimely death of a man widely acknowledged as a fair and compassionate philanthropist.

Kuku was once the Vice Chairman of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and the President of Nigerian Stock

Exchange. He will be buried in Ijebu Ode, his homestead at 11 am tomorrow. (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 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 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.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE