Monday, February 2, 2015

Breaking! LASU Chancellor Okoya Thomas is Dead

Lagos State University, LASU, Chancellor, Chief Molade Alexandria Okoya-Thomas, MFR, is dead.

The Prominent industrialist, sports philanthropist and Chairman of CFAO group in Nigeria died in the early hours of today.

The highly decorated late Industrialist was born in Lagos on 8 June 1935 and obtained his formal education at Princess School Lagos, Baptist Academy Lagos, Balham & Tooting College of Commerce London and Columbia University New York. Until his death was the Asoju Oba of Lagos and Bobasuwa of Ijebu-Remo, Odofin of Ife.

Commenting on the death of Okoya Thomas, The Publisher of Ovation Magazine and former Presidential candidate for the National Conscience Party, (NCP) in 2011, Chief Dele Momodu wrote on his twitter handle, “I've just received the sad news of the death of business Titan & sports enthusiast CHIEF MOLADE OKOYA-THOMAS; may his soul Rest in Peace”

A former Commissioner in Lagos, Senator Afikuyomi ‏@ToksAfikuyomi also wrote ,”A great Lagos Icon Passes On. He lived a life of total devotion to Lagos and Nigeria. Sun Re O. RIP Chief Molade Okoya Thomas

Aside Chairing numerous organisations, Molade Okoya-Thomas was an active sportsman in his youth, he was a Joint All Nigeria Record Holder of 4 X 220 yards relay race while at Baptist Academy Lagos. He has been the sole sponsor of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championships for over four decades setting a record as the only Nigerian to have single-handedly and consistently sponsored a competition spanning over four decades.

He has also contributed to the development of Lagos state by serving in numerous committees including; member, Lagos City Council between 1971–1975, member Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, Chairman Board of Trustees Glover Memorial Hall and Tom Jones Hall. He is a recipient of the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, the highest national honour given by the French to a foreigner.

As a philanthropist he has similarly 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. Molade Alexandria 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. The Commissioner for Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele announced the state governments decision to celebrate Molade Alexandria Okoya-Thomas at the age of 75, taking into consideration his numerous contributions, with the naming of the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium on 8 June 2010 and a State Dinner at the City Hall Lagos Island on the same day.

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