12 •
The Lion King
• January - March 2017
Cover
College was tough, but it taught him
discipline and how to compete. ‘We
used to have brain tests and I would
always come first. For some of us
who couldn’t afford provisions (school
tuck), we would do the brain test and
win provisions to give to friends and
earn the acknowledgement and nod
of our seniors.’
VO as we know him today, is very
good with figures. ‘I am exceptionally
good at math and its just God that
gave me that skill.’
At school, he wanted to excel in
everything and not just math. ‘I am a
fairly pragmatic person and we came
from a humble home. My father was
a disciplinarian. If you wanted to have
peace at home, you needed to do
well at school.’
VO recalls when in his 3rd year at
primary school, he came 1st in the
first term, 4th in the second term and
7th in the third term. His teacher wrote
in his end of year report that he was
a talkative and a fighter in class. This
didn’t go down too well with his dad,
the disciplinarian. ‘In fact, that was
the last time I ever didn’t come first
in class’ he says of the way his dad
dealt with him after the report that
appeared scathing.
He had to do well for himself and for
his dad. ‘My dream for myself was a
very practical dream. Because I came
from a humble background, I dreamt
that I would work hard to support
my parents and my younger ones.
Getting into Edo College was a turning
point for me. It was consistent with my
father’s goals and dreams for me. My
father shaped my life in a lot of ways.’
I gathered this throughout our chat,
as reference to his dad was consistent
and frequent. With pride he says of his
dad ‘there was absolutely nowhere
I would be going to that my dad
wouldn’t follow. He was always there
when I won awards. He would excuse
himself from work to take me to major
exams like the common entrance
exams, sit throughout the exams and
be there to give me food during the
breaks. He was a dad. A real dad. He
worked at the ministry of Agriculture
and would always bring home fruits
and other things to make one happy.’
His mother’s role was not lost in all
of this. He speaks of her with a lot of
affection. ‘My mum was a confidante
growing up. Someone you could
share your thoughts with. She had a
lot of wisdom. She knew how to calm
things down and effectively tackle
issues. That’s why she was able to live
with my dad’ he laughs.
He himself is calm but doesn’t really
know why. ‘I would say that it’s the
way I grew up. I didn’t grow up being
mischievous, going to parties and the
likes. Neither was I that child that was
always in church. I think I was just a
very disciplined child. I love being
able to relate to people but I also
realize that one must always comport
themselves. I see this a lot in the British.’
Of his office he says ‘You must have
carriage in your office. I have had
to do some very challenging jobs
and those jobs require that you obey
certain behaviour and be disciplined.
An ED risk cannot be excessive in their
behaviour. I have also once occupied
the position of Group CFO. Investors
and stakeholders are never happy
with untoward behaviour’ he asserts.
In spite of this calmness, he does
want to be able to relate with his
colleagues. ‘It is important that as you
remain responsible in your behaviour,
you do not create a block between
yourself and colleagues. I want to be
able to relate with my colleagues so
people can feel welcome and be
welcoming.’
When he is not working, VO can be
quite sociable. ‘I like indoor games. I
play chess. I read novels. Just name
the novel and I have read it: James
Hardley Chase, Robert Ludlum, Nick
Carter, John Grisham... those are some
of my favourite novelists. It’s tougher
now, but I still read a few novels from
time to time.’
Before we end our conversation, I find
out that VO is a good cook. He likes
all kinds of music including rock. He
likes desert. He really likes ice cream
but because he is health conscious,
doesn’t indulge. He also loves to
teach. ‘I see myself as retiring from the
banking industry to go into teaching.
I enjoy training people. I would like to
teach at the Lagos Business School
and all over the world, teaching the
things that will draw up some of the
experience I have gotten over time.’
I suddenly realized that I had taken up
a lot of our Executive’s time and even
though he had been very patient with
me, I knew I had to leave to allow him
get on with his busy schedule.
Picture by Oghenero Onosode
