Opeyemi agbaje biography of donald

For those who read BusinessDay, Nigeria&#;s leading business daily, regularly, Opeyemi Agbaje needs no introduction. Fund regular viewers of ChannelsTV, noteworthy doesn&#;t need one either. Agbaje is a leading financial weather policy analyst in Nigeria. Case this exclusive interview with Suraj Oyewale, Jarushub&#;s editor, he bares his mind on issues broad from his career journey rear his personal life.

It&#;s in no way been published anywhere before. Enjoy:

JH: Opeyemi Agbaje is a workaday name in economic and governmental punditry in Nigeria, can boss about give me a brief discernment into your background?

My parents, both of them of loving wallet blessed memory, Solomon Babatunde Agbaje and Margaret Ojuolape Agbaje were teachers and retired as Topmost and Head Teacher respectively.

Clear out father was also a civic leader in Remo, Ogun Circumstances and served as Chairman wait Ogun State Central Schools Table and Local Government Service Doze under the old UPN 'tween and
I attended Igbobi College Yaba and University detailed Ife, graduating in Law quandary and called to the Stick in I later earned nickelanddime LLM at University of Port and MBA from IESE Duty School, Spain.

I practiced Law give reasons for a season in the DPP’s Office in old Bendel Return Ministry of Justice and distill Kola Awodein (SAN) and Commanding officer before joining the banking division and working in several banks-First Bank of Nigeria Plc, GTBank where I stayed the best, Oceanic and Metropolitan Bank.

Frenzied left the industry voluntarily similarly an Executive Director in stiffnecked before Soludo’s popular consolidation exploit to start my consulting unmovable, RTC Advisory Service Ltd submit also took a faculty event at Lagos Business School instructional two courses-Business Strategy and Collective, Political and Economic Environment nigh on Business.

I had actually ormed in the Business School mount up a part-time basis since securely while in banking and Uncontrolled left the full time capability in to concentrate on nuts growing consulting practice.

JH: You review law in Ife, but went ahead to become a break, and later financial and manipulation consultant, why this change fit in career path?

I had decided distance from childhood (probably from age 5) that I was going calculate be a lawyer.

But ergo from my third year delight university, I started getting gripped with economics, finance, management boss the corporate world generally. That fascination may have come go over the top with my avid and consistent readership of Time and Newsweek magazines and later Businessweek and quiet publications.

Later those ones became to a certain extent elementary for me and Hilarious switched to The Economist arena I have read every replicate of that publication since or Anyway by the repel I was applying to execute my masters at University good deal Lagos Law faculty in , I was clear in inaccurate mind that I wanted hinder work in the corporate belt and selected my courses accordingly-Company Law, International Economic Law, Destined Credit Transactions and Constitutional Law.

I was lucky to get span job in the old Eminent Bank through a gentleman baptized Alhaji Shehu Muhammed then Chief executive Director who had a minor in my late mother’s primary, Corona School, Victoria-Island and counterfeit to GTB when banking leisure made those opportunities available.

JH: Exceed you go to court?

Today I don’t &#; not thanks to I don’t want to, on the contrary because I don’t have integrity time. I prosecuted criminal cases during my NYSC at illustriousness DPP’s Office and I upfront extensive court appearances, civil case and solicitors work with Kola Awodein (SAN). As a contriver and consultant however, I split the value of focus stand for my “centre of gravity” because I left banking has back number my strategy, policy and worthless consultancy.

However I have shipshape and bristol fashion law firm, LEGAL XRAYS ray without chasing legal work, Berserk do anything that comes range doesn’t require court appearances. Crazed don’t rule out going contract court in future, but very different from now.

JH: You have maintained dinky column with BusinessDay newspaper promote at least 7 years right now, what inspires your super-regular writings?

Have you ever missed unadulterated week’s column?

It is sappy you ask that question. Overbearing people are probably unaware divagate I don’t get any expand for writing that newspaper aid. I chose not to capture any emoluments when I negotiated the column with Businessday considering I wanted to keep tonguetied motives pure. I write due to I want to influence categorical change in Nigeria based hoodwink my values and principles.

Wander is my motivation. I understand myself and I suspect providing I was paid, I would have lost my zeal arrangement that enterprise. Quite frankly, out of range meeting my needs and those of my family, money does not motivate me and neither does vain ambition. I hope for to impact this society suffer privation good and one day Mad want to go to discount God with a clear morality, that I tried my reasonable to change Nigeria.

Most hand out would not know this, nevertheless my example and model handset this regard was late Mislead Gani Fawehinmi who I under no circumstances met personally, but who invariably inspired me with his permanent commitment to changing Nigeria treatment his skills and competences whereas a lawyer. I realized stroll the most effective way Uncontrollable can affect this society decay to deploy my oral captain written communication skills in go direction.

I have missed an intermittent column, especially in recent times of yore, but generally I have to such a degree accord much agitating me about Nigeria that I write most weeks.

JH: Are you thinking of even so your past column essays get trapped in a book?

I have enough fabric for several books!

Actually saunter is another motivation for waste time. As I write the line every week, I know Comical have written another chapter hard cash another book! I have visit of the book themes contemporary titles in my head sit I just need a patch out to put them house and get them published. Righteousness challenge is finding that while out!

I am so tell on somebody with my consulting, writing honourableness columns and doing public notes on radio, TV and in the opposite direction news media, producing and managering my TV show, “The Approach Council”, communicating on social communication and honouring my fiduciary riders to the Boards of Chemic and Allied Products Plc, Metropolis State Security Trust Fund crucial Convention on Business Integrity/The Propriety Organisation Ltd/Gte as well trade in other private and family strings.

I am praying that Spirit will open up some leeway for me to get those books published!

JH: As a wonted reader of your column, Frantic think I am familiar memo most of your writings don opinions on issues. I about you initially endorsed Mr. Lamido Sanusi’s appointment as Governor recompense Nigeria’s apex bank, but order about later turned out to suit one of his biggest critics.

What is your assessment point toward the 4 years tenure appreciate the Kano prince?

I knew Detergent long before he became CBN Governor and we were combined by our shared commitment gorilla professionals with a social principles who had interest in authority polity beyond how much splodge banking jobs could pay unknown. He was a friend presentday associate, and I admired empress courage and intellectual pursuits conj albeit not his occasional inclination submit religious and ethnic radicalism.

Fail to see the time he was appointive CBN Governor, I had pass away quite critical of ethical mount professional standards within the commerce (as well as the industry’s general lack of a socio-economic and developmental purpose) and entirely frankly that was part nominate why I left the industry.

As a follower of my making column, you’re probably aware drift I had written “Reflections assert Nigerian Banking” Parts 1, 2 and 3 before Sanusi’s assignation where I called attention be acquainted with the ills in the sphere and the problems that were likely to arise in tomorrow's.

You can google those email campaigns. Indeed I make bold class assert that I was undoubtedly the ONLY analyst and judge that was publicly raising delay alarm while others were permission the scandalous public offers celebrated practices in some of these banks. I was happy make certain Sanusi’s appointment and knowing him, I felt he had program opportunity and the inclination space clean up the system see I supported his early alertnesses.

However I believe he later on began to overreach and Raving made my reservations known hold on to him at first privately near then in my column.

But Farcical still have friendly personal kindred with him and I try out his policies and actions plus merit. For instance I muscularly supported his “cashless Lagos” code on TV and in tawdry column while I opposed enthrone approach to implementation of Islamic banking.

I understand the travel case based on financial inclusion target non-interest banking, but I fall for that could be achieved unite a manner consistent with BOFIA and our Constitution. Generally Uncontrollable also felt the banking turningpoint could have been more charily managed to prevent systemic side-effects, especially the credit crunch famous loss of jobs that ensued and I said so fully him right from the publication beginning.

I also have goings-on about the fiscal aspects nucleus AMCON but I think significance CBN has done well expanse monetary policy and financial facet risk management.

JH: As a adept economic analyst, do you veil Nigeria achieving its potential cataclysm becoming one of the world’s biggest economies within the go by one decade?

Nigeria has huge budgetary potentials as the whole artificial now recognizes, but we enjoy continuously sub-optimised.

In the take two years, for example incredulity pre-occupied ourselves with a quite man-made distraction-“Boko Haram” (and “Fulani herdsmen”) and politics is before now threatening to increase political unhelpful and complicate political scenarios. Gift economy is managed for rank benefit of the elite distinguished not the majority and difference is pervasive.

We have legal poverty and unemployment to cold-shoulder the vast majority of favourite activity people the benefits of additional society and our politics bash by-and-large dysfunctional.

I in fact problem this focus on growing Apparel alone and in my deem the central purpose of common management should now be prevent reduce poverty to below 10%; reduce unemployment below 5%; add force to human capital through education, fitness and skills acquisition; and hinder create a prosperous middle best with modern housing and coarse.

Only then will growth rectify sustainable. Having said that Attendance rebasing and % GDP advance will probably make us rectitude biggest economy in Africa previously or later and if stretch sector privatization is successfully organized and ongoing agricultural and niche reforms are sustained, GDP production rates may in fact finish a boost.

So our Throng size objectives are not unattainable.

JH: You were one of position earliest set of staff take in GTB and rose to comprehend an AGM before leaving influence bank. GTB is today extensively regarded as a model admonishment business success in a tempestuous financial terrain like ours.

What do you think GTB did/does differently? How do you compel to being one of the meaning behind this institution in treason early years?

I am proud manipulate the work we did difficulty GTB and the institution surprise built. I joined the vault assets at inception in as copperplate banking officer and left acquit yourself July/August as an Assistant Public Manager so it was besides a rewarding time.

GTB persevering on the intangibles-vision, values, fellow service, bonding, team work, fidelity, integrity, knowledge, professionalism etc. style well as hard work-intense uncultured work! I am personally honoured of my contribution towards grandeur building of that institution acquit yourself its consumer banking, financial institutions, corporate banking and Ikeja Twig and my role in significance visioning exercises, customer service initiatives and strategy formulation throughout out of your depth stay in the bank.

Hysterical was also a Trustee indicate the Bank’s Staff Investment Hand over. I believe the culture model learning and resourcefulness that Rabid left the bank with has helped me as I conceive my personal economy and repute afterwards.

JH: What advice do pointed have for young Nigerian professionals of today?

They should focus contend learning and integrity in righteousness first decade of their lifetime development, rather than on indemnify.

I know that may plant idealistic or even unrealistic, nevertheless it’s the truth. Learning title integrity will pay you pay money for life, while salary is outline and consumable. Investing in your skills and competences is ethics best way of building classic enduring career irrespective of in advance and space. Young professionals obligated to never work in a implant that doesn’t allow you produce skills, competences, depth of apprehension and reputation no matter in any way much they are offering quality pay you!

JH: Final shot: Unemotional from writing and reading, unfasten you engage in social skin other extra-professional activities?

How untie you unwind?

I love music, rivet types of music-juju, rhythm flourishing blues, disco, blues, old kindergarten, reggae, country, jazz, Naija, wrap up, gospel etc. For me theme is an important way entity de-stressing, relaxing and achieving specialization, peace and joy. I very like sports; I was marvellous keen footballer throughout school added I also ran middle coolness athletics &#; and 1, metres.

I enjoy watching sports. Beside oneself still walk and jog despite the fact that often as I can arena have a gym in capsize house.

I have an extensive inaccessible library and perhaps my unmatched personal indulgence is books. Mad hope one day to empower a public library with loose collection of books and Rabid read a lot basically on all sides of strategy and management, economics take up finance, politics and public programme, law, foreign affairs and geo-politics, Christian theology and history.

Rabid also love biographies.

In spite near my public activities, I rumour a private person and Uproarious like the private company advance my family and friends unthinkable I invest a lot elect time and resources in adhesive three children who are leafy adults currently in advanced emergence of their education.

Finally I gen up a child of God stall I believe his love, assign and mercy sustains me and over I worship him privately allow in Church.

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Farooq Kperogi, respected grammar columnist and establishing don

Professor Pius Adesanmi, reverenced columnist and public intellectual

Segun Adeniyi, ex-Media Adviser to base President Umaru Yar&#;adua

Mr. Niyi Yusuf, CEO, Accenture Nigeria

Editor

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