The Lion King Magazine | January - March 2017

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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 12 • The Lion King • January - March 2017
I see myself as retiring from the banking industry to go into teaching. I enjoy training people.” January - March 2017 • The Lion King • 13
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The Lion King Magazine | January - March 2017

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