Thursday, November 7

Memories as Florence, the Fagboyegun Martriach, Departs

by Oladimeji Abitogun

-Family is biggest private employer in Ondo
-Reputed as eagle-eyed accountant with no formal training

WHEREVER the contributions

of women in the economic and developmental transformations of Africa, and indeed the emergence of a structured economy for the continent and that of its most populous country, Nigeria, is told, the unique, yet silent efforts of Florence Olawunmi Fagboyegun, (nee Olafimihan) would not be downplayed or ignored. A paragon of beauty, slim frame, an unmistakable face of the continent, missing in the runways of major capitals of the world, yet important not just as an auxiliary quantity but the denominator in the phenomenal and meteoric rise of the Fagboyegun family and highly successful business brands.

 

Just how a woman completely loyal and dutiful as a housewife was able to strike a balance between making the home and keeping the books on a multibillion businesses empire is the stuff that would attract the curiosity of social science researchers and historians as well. Mrs. Olawunmi Fagboyegun could not explain her interesting role as a front seat occupier in the evolution of the “J.O.F. Ideal Family Farms Ltd”, a sole proprietorship enterprise that has now become a distinct household name in the manufacture of organic soy oil, cashew processing, citrus farming, produce merchandizing, poultry and livestock feeds, table water production, construction, commodities brokerage and haulage interests.

The late Reverend Canon Johnson Olajide Fagboyegun and the late Mrs. Fagboyegun

From the humble beginning of the family business as J.O. Fagboyegun and Sons until it metamorphosed into what has been rightly appreciated as a leading employee of labour in Nigeria, Mrs. Fagboyegun stood solidly as an equal partner with her husband, the late Reverend Canon Johnson Olajide Fagboyegun.

In the real sense of the word, the Fagboyegun business empire remains the biggest employer of labour in Ondo State, trailing the state and the federal government. Apart from dominating the manufacturing sector through the JOF Vegetable Oil company in Owo and allied produce companies in Akure and Lagos, the family also has an array of petrol stations and several hectares of lands having crops of industrial value and then above all, its investment in the churches for the propagation of the gospel, are overwhelming.

Jide Fagboyegun was the Chief strategist and visioner while his wife, Olawunmi was the eagle-eyed financial handler who ensured that those who usually ruin businesses in Nigeria did not gain the upper hand in the enduring vision to succeed and then employ many Nigerians, who in turn were able to put food on the table, clothe and shelter their families. In the assigned role of balancing the business books, Mrs. Fagboyegun, was able to put many university and polytechnic- trained accountant to shame.

She was ever meticulous and careful to find where leaks could occur and prevent wastages. The kind of love and close bond she enjoyed with her husband purposely showed in this attribute. Her husband, Canon Fagboyegun, was an unequalled resource manager.

When the couple shared a common destiny that often resulted in the striking of master strokes in almost every endeavour including issues of faith and philanthropy, Mrs. Fagboyegun took care of the biological children and several other adopted family members to a superlative dimension often difficult to come by in Africa. She paid attention to every developmental issue in the life of all the children adopted.

She was the matriarch of 30 biological offsprings including grand and great grandchildren. All of her direct children and adopted ones are excelling in industry, leadership (secular and spiritual) and government.

They can be found outside and within Nigeria. It is the essential nature of the Fagboyeguns. Some of those children are Professor (Mrs.) Olu Olorundare, Mr. Olatunji Fagboyegun, Justice (Mrs.) Lanrewaju Akeredolu, Mr. Segun Fagboyegun, Mr. Rotimi Fagboyegun, Mrs. Omolola Adekeye and Mr. Dayo Fagboyegun. Mrs. Florence Olawunmi Fagboyegun was born on August 29, 1929. Interestingly, she was an only child to her mother, Mrs. Hannah Olafimihan, who grew old to the ripe age of 105 before her death in 2006.

Mama Olafimihan had married Mr. Titus Olafimihan with whom she lived in Kano, the ancient commercial city in colonial northern Nigeria. Theirs was a happy home as Olawunmi’s father practised as an accountant and professional photographer. He was, clearly one of the few middle class persons around.

His wife, Hannah, wove clothes and traded. Unfortunately, Mr. Olafimihan died and his wife, now a single mother bore the entire responsibility of raising her only surviving daughter. After the funeral rites for the late Olafimihan had been concluded in Kano, his wife and the little daughter, Olawunmi then aged six, returned to the ancestral home at Ijebu Quarters in Owo.

She enrolled at the Government School, Owo and stayed until she earned her Standard Six Certificate. She was at the stage struggling to keep her versatility in the Hausa language which she once spoke fluently, but the effort proved futile. She was compensated with her brilliant performance in her exams and then proceeded to teach at the St. Francis Catholic School, Owo.

She was a school teacher when her lifelong partner, Jide, spotted her and started sending a friend as a go-between in 1949. In 1952, opting for a low key engagement and traditional ceremony, they became husband and wife. Mrs. Fagboyegun explained that “we chose a low key ceremony because I was my mother’s only surviving child and we did not want the attention that a loud celebration would bring”. In 1956, their union was blessed in the Anglican Church.

Even in death, Reverend Canon and Mrs. Fagboyegun were inseparable. Wrongful attacks on their businesses at Owo in early 2000, the death of her husband in July 30, 2008 and more attention for Christian spiritual devotions led to gradual withdrawal from public events and active business engagements for her. She died in the early hours of Friday May 17, 2013. She was 83 years old.

•Abitogun is the Editor-In-Chief of sharpedgenews.com, an online news site.

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