Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode, OFR
The Nigerian factor! This is an
expression that summarizes all that is negative in the nation’s socio –
economic life. It means compromising your principles for some immediate
personal gain. It means selling your birthright, like the biblical son, for a pot
of porridge. It stands for corruption, bribery, holding light to an
appointment, or office, or even if the atmosphere is no longer favourable.
There are few Nigerians who for all
the pots of porridge in this world will never fall prey to the ‘Nigerian factor’.
One such Nigerian is Mr. Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode. A London University
Classics graduate, B.A. (Hons) obtained through University College Ibadan in
1975. Mr. Onosode made a successful cross over to the world of business
management, banking and finance.
Gamaliel Onosode was born on 22nd
May 1933 in Sapele, Delta State of Nigeria. His father Reverend Pinnoch Onosode
(1870 – 1975) was a Baptist, Pastor and Gamaliel himself, at the age of ten,
gave his life to Christ with his own free will and was baptized into the
Baptist Faith on 14th March 1943.
Although the Onosodes are natives of
Ekigbo in Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta state, the Pastor
experienced many transfers one of which was to Ogimbo another town in Ughelli
South local Government area of the same state, where he founded the Baptist
school. It was here that Gamaliel had his primary education from 1949 to 1946.
He gained admission into Government
College, Ughelli then known as Government middle School and based in Warri in
1947. Although the school was proud of its many gifted athletes, Gamaliel
was more interested in his academic performance. He always stayed within the
first two positions in class and was remarkably ahead of the pack in
mathematics, English and Latin.
In 1952, he won a state scholarship
to study at the University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan), strictly
on the basis of his performance in the university entrance examination. Here
again his performance was most brilliant, winning him department and faculty
Prizes. He also took part in student polities.
After obtaining his B.A. (Hons)
classics degree in 1957, Gamaliel Onosode moved straight into commonwealth
development Corporation as Management trainee. Here began his meteoric almost
enigmatic rise to a position of eminence and distinction in banking, finance
and business management, earning him boardroom positions in numerous government
and private organizations. In 1962, he was appointed General Manager, Nigeria
Housing Development Society (now Federal Mortgage Bank). In a move which was to
become to Hallmark, he resigned his appointment when his idea of making the
company a savings gathering in addition to being a mortgage finance providing
institution was rejected. This idea was adopted shortly after he left the
company.
Mr. Onosode was the pioneer
Secretary of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank later becoming its
Assistant General Manager in 1964 became a Director of NAL Merchant Bank Plc in
June 1969 and its Chairman and Chief Executive from November 1973 to March
1979. He was Chairman – Cadbury Nigeria Plc, from 1978 – 1993, Chairman,
Commerce bank from 1989 – 1994, Chairman Nigerian Stock Exchange Investment
Protection Fund from 1995 – 2000. Mr. Onosode also became Chairman of Dunlop
Nigeria Plc, at a time when the company needed revival. He introduced measures
that actually did the magic.
Gamaliel Onosode’s government
appointments include Presidential adviser on Budget Affairs and Director off
Budget, Chairman Nigeria LNG Limited and Chairman Presidential Commission on
Parastatals. His appointments, contributions and awards cut across many fields
including education, religious activities and social affairs.
Gamaliel Onosode’s life has been
directed and controlled by his Christian faith which is why he does not
compromise in matters of principle, integrity and honesty.
Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode – A
Guru of banking, Finance and Management. A Shinning role model of Integrity.
#nationalweekofremembrancefordepartedwriters
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