Bebe Akinboade
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SEGUN AGBAJE, A MAN OF DESTINY

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The passing away of Tayo Aderinokun marks the beginning of another era in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Since 1990, when the bank first opened its doors to customers, this would be the third change of guard, albeit the latest is different, being due to providence
For an institution founded on sound corporate governance, the issue of succession was never contentious. Fola Adeola and Tayo Aderinokun founded the 21-year-old institution, growing it into one of the most respected banks in the industry. The institution upheld high standards of governance and was a model in financial reporting and compliance.
Mr Adeola, the pioneer chief executive, stepped down in 2002 after 12 years and was succeeded, predictably, by Mr Aderinokun. The succession was seamless as the bank continued on its growth trajectory.
Mr Aderinokun steered the bank through a successful consolidation exercise in 2005, emerging stronger after the storm generated in the sector at the time. The bank continued on its impressive growth, making history in July 2007 as the very first sub-Saharan bank and first Nigerian company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange, raising $750 million in the process.
With Mr Aderinokun’s passage, the mantle naturally falls on Segun Agbaje, a pioneer member of staff and son of one of the initial financiers of the bank. Mr Agbaje is the deputy managing director and has been the acting managing director since Mr Aderinokun took ill in April and was flown to a London hospital.
And even if death had spared Tayo Aderinokun, and he lived till 2012, he would have honorably retired from GTBank after having completed his tenure as Managing Director. And Segun Agbaje would have stepped into his shoes.
But death changed the equation, and a new Managing Director has to be appointed now. And Segun Agbaje has a bright chance.
What everyone agrees on is that Agbaje is a brilliant banker whose gift of discerning viable project is enviable. As a pioneer member of staff, Mr Agbaje has worked in almost all groups in the bank; as deputy managing director, he was directly responsible for the Institutional Banking Division which comprises Energy, Telecommunications, Treasury, and Corporate Finance Groups.
He holds a BSc Accountancy degree from the University of San Francisco California (1986) and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the same University (1988).
Prior to joining Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr Agbaje worked for Ernst & Young, San Francisco, USA (1988 -1990) as a staff auditor. He was appointed an executive director of GTB in January in 2000 and deputy managing director in 2002.
He is happily married to Derin Olakunri and the union is blessed with a son.

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