Born on June, 8, 1935, in Lagos, to Alhaji Hussam Okoya-Thomas, (the first local staff of French Company – CFAO) and Alhaja Suwebat Okoya-Thomas. Chief Okoya-Thomas had his elementary education at Princess School, Lagos, between 1942 and 1946.
He subsequently proceeded to Baptist Academy for his high school education and left the school in 1956 as the best graduating student.
Immediately after his secondary education at Baptist Academy, Lagos; he studied Accountancy at Balham and Tooting College of Commerce between 1956 and 1959 and furthered his training in Accountancy at Columbia University in New York City; USA, in 1981. He returned to Nigeria same year and was instantly employed as an accountant by CFAO, a French company. His employment at this company marked the beginning of his meritorious service for decades.
Earlier in the week, on Sunday February 1, 2015, few hours after he was taken to Redington Hospital at Victoria Island for treatment of an infection from cold, he bade the world farewell at age 79.
Although Chief Okoya-Thomas left the stage at a prime age, his death nonetheless is a huge blow to community of business in the country. He was a pioneer and visionary.
Okoya-Thomas belonged to a generation of private sector investors who saw opportunities in the Nigeria’s economy when it was risky to do so. He was regarded as an astute businessman whose contribution to Nigeria’s private economy will remain indelible. In business, Chief Okoya-Thomas is a mogul. He was chairman of 10 companies, which are mostly French companies. He was also on the board of six others. His exploits go beyond the business circles. The Odofin of Ile-Ife has also played prominent roles in French-Nigeria associations.
Between 1989 and 1992, he was Chairman of the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce. Some people refer to him as the French Ambassador for Nigeria.
His relationship with the French started with his father who was CFAO’s first Nigerian staff in 1902 when it came to Nigeria. By dint of hardwork and diligence, Okoya-Thomas warmed himself into the hearts of the French.
He was honoured with Chevalier De La Legion D’Honneur, the highest national honour bequeathed by France to anybody.
Until his death, he was Chairman of many organisations including CFAO, Transcap Nigeria Ltd, Oktom Investment Ltd, Itochu Nigeria Ltd, Chyioda Nigeria Ltd, Anchoria Investment and Securities Ltd. He also served as Director of NFI Insurance Company Plc and Gateway Bank Plc. Chief Okoya-Thomas was undoubtedly a successful businessman. During his life time, he is always ready to give advice to younger generation as regards the secret of success, if one is lucky to track him down for talk.
He is a man who is very conscious of time. Even at over 70 years old, some of his employees said it was astonishing to find that his schedule is so tight; that they used to wonder if he ever finds time to rest. It was learnt that he holds more than four different meetings that last long hours everyday.
Chief Okoya-Thomas was once quoted as saying he is workaholic. “I work very hard
but I also find time to rest,” he said adding that “If you are a hard worker, you must also find time to rest. After work, I used to go to the Tennis Club to meet some of my friends, and when I get there, we will talk and laugh and I make sure I laugh very well. It helps a great deal,” he revealed during an interview.
He said he has carried on like this for a long time and prayed that it will not fail him before the Creator calls him.
During his life time, Chief Okoya-Thomas was well known for his love for sports development particularly Table Tennis. During his school days, Okoya was an active sportsman. He was a Joint All Nigeria Record Holder of 4×220 yards relay race while at Baptist Academy in Lagos.
The annual Table Tennis Competition (Asoju-Oba Cup) that started in 1968 was solely sponsored by Chief Okoya-Thomas. His sustenance of the sports competition has contributed immensely to the growth of table tennis at the grassroots. He instituted the competition in the memory of his late father, Hussam Okoya-Thomas, the then ‘Baba Adinni of Furabay Mosque, Olowogbowo, Lagos.
The table tennis competition, with its mouth-watering prizes has no doubt raised many top players who represented the country in major international competitions. It has produced players such as Funke Oshonaike, Bose Kaffo, Yomi Bankole, Atanda Musa, Olawunmi Majekodunmi, Babatunde Obisanya to mention but a few. The Asoju-Oba Table Tennis Championships will for a long time be remembered for the innovation it came with such as the gift of cars that were reminiscent of the 1984 and 2009 editions. In 1984, the tournament gave out a Peugeot 504 saloon to the winner of the male category, Atanda Musa, who defeated late Yomi Bankole popularly called the ‘Hawk.’ In 2013, the winners of Asoju-Oba in both categories, Olajide Omotayo in the male category, and Tolu Durosinmi-Etti in the female, were given Chevrolet saloon cars and cash gift.
Okoya-Thomas also contributed to development of other sporting activities. He has served as Vice Chairman, Lagos State Sports Council; President, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club; Chairman, 3rd All-Africa Games Appeal Fund Committee; Chairman, National Appeal Fund for Sports Development and Chairman, Sports Trust Fund. Chief Okoya-Thomas built and donated a modern sports hall for students and staff of the Lagos State University (LASU) in 2009. He was also a prominent member of the fund raising committee for the construction of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.
One other thing that has helped keep Chief Okoya-Thomas fit in his life is sport. According to him, “It is necessary to do one form of sports to keep fit, regular exercise enhances the flow of blood in the blood vessels,” he advised.
One thing Nigerians had not known is the secret behind the success of this man. A look at his boardroom wall shows how highly placed he is. He has hobnobbed with the high and mighty across the length and breadth of the country and has been honoured by those who matter. Obviously because of his exploits in business, most government in power has tried to reach out to him one way or the other. But he does not brag about this. As award plaques battle for space on his boardroom wall and his office,
For those who he related the secret of his success with, he attributed it to level-headedness, diligence, honesty, physical and mental alertness, hardwork and contentment. “When you get your priorities wrong in life and business, you will fail but if you get them right you will succeed,” he once said.
One of his great qualities is humility. He is also a great giver.
According to him, he learnt the art of giving from his father. He is so proud of his father that he said of him, “My father is the kindest man I have ever met in my life. I saw philanthropy in my father. Whatever you see me do I learnt it from my father.”
What surprised people most, particularly those who have come closer to Chief Okoya-Thomas while he was alive was that he was used to and maintained a low profile. Suprisingly, he used to tell people who cares to listen that he is not a rich man. “Whatever I have is to better the lot of people,” he used to say. This principle has greatly boosted his philanthropic lifestyle.
Chief Molade Okoya Thomas was regarded a leader and father across Yorubaland and at the national level that he was bestowed with chieftaincy titles: the Asoju Oba of Lagos, Babasuwa of Ijebu-Remo, Odofin of Ife, and Asalu Oba of Oke-Ona, Egba. He was also honoured at federal level with Member Federal Republic (MFR) and Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). He was the Chancellor of Lagos State University.
Since his demise, Nigerians have been pouring encomiums on the departed philanthropist. One of the prominent Nigerians who spoke on Okoya-Thomas was President Goodluck Jonathan who urged members of Okoya’s family and others who mourn the very successful businessman to be comforted by the knowledge that he lived a very worthy and fulfilled life and left a legacy of great entrepreneurial achievements for his successor to build on.
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said the state was lucky to be the home of late Molade Okoya-Thomas, noting that the state felt his impact in various sectors, especially in education, where he was, until his death, Chancellor of Lagos State University.
Chief Okoya-Thomas was survived by his wife, Olivia Abosede Okoya-Thomas and children, one of them Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, a member of the House of Representatives.
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