The body of foremost industrialist and sports philanthropist, Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas, will be laid to rest today in Lagos.
The late business mogul will be interred at the Volts and Gardens in Ikoyi after a brief lying-in-state at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
The burial service for late Chancellor of Lagos State University and Chairman of CFAO Nigeria Limited, started on Thursday with a service of songs.
The evening of tribute for the billionaire businessman, Asoju Oba of Lagos, Babasuwa of Ijebu Remo was graced by All Progressives Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and many other notable society men.
The deceased was born in Lagos on June 8, 1935 to late Hussam Okoya-Thomas (the first Baba Adinni of Furabay Mosque, Olowogbowo, Lagos), and late Alhaja Suwebat Okoya-Thomas (nee Gbajabiamila, Otun Iya Adinni of Idita Mosque).
He attended several schools, including the Princess School, Lagos, 1946; Balham and Tooting College of Commerce, London, 1956-1959; Columbia University, New York, US, 1981.
Okoya-Thomas was appointed Director Transcap Nigeria Limited; Director, Niger Motors Industries Limited; Chairman, Studio Press Nigeria Limited and Chairman, CFAO.
He was a member, Lagos City Council from 1971-1975, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation; Chairman, Board of Trustees Glover Memorial Hall and Tom Jones Hall.
The deceased was conferred with the prestigious French national honour, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.
The Federal Government of Nigeria conferred on him the national honour, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic and Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic.
He was an active sportsman in his youth.
He was a Joint All Nigeria Record Holder of 4×220 yards relay race while at Baptist Academy, Lagos.
He also sponsored the annual Asoju-Oba Table Tennis Championships for over four decades, thereby setting a record as the only Nigerian to have consistently sponsored a competition spanning over four decade, single-handed.
His philanthropy knew no bounds.
He served among others as the Chairman, 3rd All Africa Games Appeal Fund.
He built and donated a modern Sports Hall to students and staff of LASU in 2009.
He was a member of the fund-raising committee for the construction of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
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