By Funsho Arogundade
For nine years, Dr Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan steered the huge ship of First Bank of Nigeria Limited as its Group Chief Executive Officer. And for this almost a decade’s stint, he was exceptional and his extensive expertise in the financial sector significantly bolstered Nigeria’s economic landscape. Suddenly in April, Adeduntan announced his resignation with immediate effect —eight months before the expiration of his tenure on 31 December, 2024. He has since been replaced with the current CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu. But the staff and management of the 130 year-old bank would not just let the seasoned banker leave without a celebration of his remarkable leadership and legacy. Indeed, it was celebration galore on Saturday 2 November as the bank played host to Nigeria’s top elites at a special send forth party for Adeduntan.
Quite a number of eminent personalities across all sectors of the economy from fellow bankers to top politicians to business titans to traditional rulers were on hand to honour the esteemed banker at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. At the event anchored by Mojibade Sosanya and Kenny Blaq, it wasn’t all about celebration but a night of reunion and networking among the power elites. Their common factor is Adeduntan —whose glorious exit from the first-tier bank marks a remarkable chapter in the annals of Nigeria’s banking history. He is a veterinary doctor by training but ended up as a veteran in the Nigerian banking and corporate world.