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By Seyifunmi Odunuga
IBADAN – The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has, described death of the reputable businessman and former presidential aspirant, Chief Harry Akande, as a great loss to Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria as whole.
Gov. Seyi Makinde said this on Saturday, December 5, 2020, in a condolence message he sent to the Akande family, saying that the passing on of Chief Harry Akande at this time meant that Ibadanland and Oyo State have lost another great man.
According to a statement signed by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde and made available to the media, Governor Makinde prayed that “God grant the deceased eternal rest and grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
In Gov. Makinde’s words, “Akande’s fame as a businessman and his decision to join Nigerian politics to make a difference were classic. His conduct gave courage to the younger generation of businessmen, which we have gone ahead to emulate and we are making good our dreams.”
Seyi Makinde said further, “the news of the death of the Agba Oye of Ibadanland and internationally renowned businessman, Chief Harry Akande, came to me as a shock.”
Chief Harry Ayoade Akande was born on March 3, 1943 in Ibadan to Pa Joseph Afolabi of Ile-Olorin Compound, Orita-Merin, Ibadan and Chief (Mrs.) Regina Akande of Olagoke household of Oje, Ibadan.
He began his educational pursuit from Sacred Heart Nursery School, Idikan, and St. James Primary School, Oke-Bola and Abadina School, University of Ibadan. Harry Akande later got admitted into Olivet Heights, Oyo, in 1957.
On leaving Olivet Heights in 1961, he won admission into Hampton University, Hampton Virginia, USA on a scholarship bursary from abroad, graduating in 1967 in Accounting and Finance with very best honours.
In 1969, Chief Harry Akande acquired his MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg’s Graduate, Faculty of Management to come to be the prestigious school’s first graduate of African ancestry.
An energetic member of his community, Chief Akande was conferred with the honorary Chieftancy title of Agbaoye of Ibadanland in 1979.
A fairly dedicated philanthropist, Chief Harry Akande had worked selflessly with AMFAR, International Children Appeal and many other teens Charities. In 1987, Chief Akande was once chosen to obtain the amazing 20 years Alumnus Award from Hampton University, Virginia in USA.
Chief Akande who was brilliant in his academic performance and also a trained sportsman had been married for nearly 36 years to his wife – Chief (Mrs.) Tolulope Akande, and they were blessed with four children – Olumide, Foluke, Atinuke and Olawunmi.
