Eminent Businessman, Akin-George Passes On, Ibru, Others Mourn
Prominent entrepreneur and finance sector guru, Chief John Akin-George (OFR, FCIB), has passed on.
Chief Akin-George, one the indigenous pioneers in Nigeria's insurance industry, passed on peacefully at his Lagos home on Tuesday.
His death came as a shock to his family, friends and associates as he never showed any sign of ill-health. In fact, he was said to be in a joyous mood and high spirit in preparation for his wife's 60th birthday celebration just a week away.
Akin-George, OFR, FCIB, was president of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). He was also the President of the West African Chamber of Commerce. A seasoned insurance broker with several decades of exposure at senior levels in various aspects of commerce, both locally and internationally. He was also the Chairman of Akin George Life & Pensions Consultants, J. Akin-George & Company, Incorporated Insurance Brokers, Trans Nigeria Agencies and the Vice President of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).
He was a fellow of the Corporation of Insurance Brokers and the Insurance Institute of Nigeria. For over five years, he was the chairman of African Insurance brokers Association (AIBA).
Chief John Odeyemi, former National President of NACCIMA, said: "He was one of the greatest entrepreneurs and he devoted much of his life to the promotion of the organised private sector (OPS) in Nigeria in particular and West Africa in general.
"He contributed along with the late Chief Adeyemi Lawson in the formation of ECO Transnational Incorporation (ETI), the parent company of Ecobank.
"He was a very straightforward, amiable businessman and was very collaborative with people and institutions for wealth creation.
"Examples of such collaborations were the establishment of several companies in banking, insurance, manufacturing and service sector.
"He has been a mentor to several people in the establishment of SMEs and several other social organisations.
"He will be remembered as one of the foremost insurance brokers in West Africa."
"He was a great advocate of business-friendly policies in Nigeria and West Africa."
Recalling memories of Akin-George last night, the chairman and publisher of The Guardian, Dr. Alex Uruemu Ibru, who could not disguise his grief, said the loss was monumental to him personally, the entire Ibru family and the nation. He was a 'big brother'", he said, adding that Akin-George had been a towering example of how to do business in a country like Nigeria. "We will miss him and I pray for a peaceful repose of his soul," he said.
source: ngrguardiannews.com
