The Ojora family of Lagos has announced the passing of its patriarch, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, the Olori Omo Oba of Lagos, in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 93.
In a statement signed by Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, the family said the late elder statesman died “in full submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT)” and will be laid to rest in Lagos according to Islamic rites. They appealed to the public to remember him in their prayers.
“We say Alhamdulilahi for a life well lived, and we submit to the words of Allah: ‘Surely, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall all return’ (Q2:156),” the statement read. Otunba Ojora is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, along with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Born in 1932, Otunba Ojora began his career as a journalist with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in the early 1950s before joining the United Africa Company (UAC) as an executive in 1962. He later served as Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until the company’s acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.
He was also a prominent investor in several foreign companies operating in Nigeria during the 1970s, contributing significantly to the growth of the country’s private sector.
The family concluded by asking Nigerians to join them in prayer, seeking Allah’s mercy for the deceased, peace in his grave, and a place in Aljannah Firdaus.
Details of the funeral will be announced in due course.