By Tope Adaramola
To aver that Justin Olabode Emanuel was one of the titans of the Nigerian nation is not an overstatement. He had his inimitable footprints, particularly in the financial services sector which he bestrode like a colossus for multitude of years. His imprints as founder and the brainchild behind several blue chip business entities has remained a glaring testimonial of one of Nigeria’s brightest minds. He indeed came, saw and conquered! Bode Emmanuel, as he was often called, breathed his last on January 4, 2025 at about 90 years. He was born on April 20, 1935.
Against all these superlative accomplishments, Late Bode Emanuel lived a quite life, devoid of public show, though touching many lives in profound ways.
A product of the famous St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, Bode Emanuel qualified as one of the nation’s foremost Chartered Accountants from the ivy league Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, bringing his fiery financial sagacity and entreprenueral spirit to bear on the country’s budgeoining economic space, shortly after independence. Today, most of the institutions he pioneered or co-pioneered are at the frontrow of their respective sectors. Among them are: Hogg Robbinson Nigeria Ltd; NLPC pensions Fund Administrators Ltd; Sterling Assurance Co. Ltd, Nigerian Life and Provident Ltd. Outside the insurance and pensions industry, Bode Emanuel had his hands deep in the leadership of Trevi Foundation of Nigeria Ltd; Saipem Nigeria Ltd; Imprest Bakolori Plc and Medexia Ltd, among others.
Even though Bode Emmanuel’s octopoidal stature was felt in all spheres of our national life, the insurance industry seems to have a deeper sense of grief for a man who, though a chartered accountant, pathfinded revolutionary strides in the industry through his intellectual and financial contributions that dates back to more than six decades. The evidences are the obvious current sound footing of companies like Hogg Robinson Nigeria, one of the leading insurance broking firms, NLPC PFA (a key operator in the pension and insurance industry) and Sterling Assurance Company Ltd.
Going by his sterling feats in the insurance industry, it is not any bit of a surpise that notable players have been churning torrents of tributes to the man many referred to as a pathfinder, navigator and irrepressible stakeholder in the industry. In his tribute, the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Prince Babatunde Oguntade said the deceased was a “Chairman of Chairmen and a boardroom colossus who took deep interest in the insurance industry even when his first professional forte was accountancy”. He said as a prominent member of the Council’s Elders Advisory Committee, the deceased acquitted himself admirably as a great supporter of the broking profession and made required inputs into the professional body during challenging times. There is no way the history of the Council would be told without a conspicuous chapter devoted to the background roles and stoic support he gave to it, particularly during its teething period.
In his pensive views, the Deputy Chairman of Hogg Robinson Nigeria and one of the leading icons of the industry and close allies of the deceased, Mr Amos Adeyeye, said the loss of Bode Emmanuel meant many things to many people who knew and related to him. According to him “ To me, he was a boss who had become a blood brother with the passage of time. I could also call him a father” He said his relationship with the deceased defied the usual officialese that characterised such board room relationship between a Managing Director, later Deputy Chairman and his erudite boss.
Recounting their first encounter, Adeyeye remnisced he met Bode in 1972 during a job interview, a relationship that he noted had remained unbroken since then. “He was a man of integrity and honour, who also had an uncanny leadership and managerial skills that had seen him literally above the waters in all his business adventures, despite all besetting operational or environmental challenges. Notwithstanding his advanced age, Emanuel’s intellect did not diminish. With incandescent brilliance, Bode Emanuel analysed financial statements of corporate institutions that he presided over to the admiration of all. It was disclosed that on 29th November 2024, less than three weeks to his death, he attended the Board meeting of Hogg Robinson” where he exuded his usual candour, friendliness and board room sagacity. At the end of the meeting, he took time to offer warm handshake to everyone present at the meeting, without giving an inkling that he was bidding them final goodbye.
A9A member of several notable business and professional bodies Bode Emanuel was one of the foundation members of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Business Group Nigeria at its inception when it was inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on 1st July, 2004 in Abuja. The other founding members include Alhaji Bamangar Tukur and Mr Goodie Ibru who was Pioneer Chairman. Mr. Emanuel who was elected as the 4th Chairman of NBGN in May, 2022 succeeded Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande who was the 3rd Chairman.
In his tribute, a long time admirer of late Bode Emmnanuel, Bashorun J.K Randle, relived the large heart and tolerance of the deceased. He noted that his views were never bigotted by religious or tribal sentinents, he judged everyone on the basis of what they had to offer. Randle relayed a story that played out in 1973. He said “during one of my visits to Nigeria as a UK based QS. He has shown love and admiration to me since then. Many years ago, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria launched a N30m Scholarship Fund, Otunba Tade Ismail was the Chairman of the exercise. Chief Emanuel donated N6m (Six Million Naira) to the fund”. Being curious, Randle noted further that “I saw him at Prof Alliyu Babatunde Fafunwa’s Janaza and thanked him for his generosity. He told me that it was his mother, who was a Muslim and that he belived we were serving the same creator. Many Christians of nowadays, would have given the money to a Church in preference to the course of Islam”
A foremost member of the Ikoyi Club, among several notable professional, religious and social affiliations, the death of Bode Emmnuel would for many days to come open a flurry of moving testimonies about his life of value, unsung humanitarian gestures and untainted service to humanity. Our world would sorely miss his life of value and impact.
Tope Adaramola is the
Executive Secretary of The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB)
