Ambode condoled with the governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Agusto family, loved ones professional colleagues and the entire people of Lagos State.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has paid tributes to the late economist, Bode Agusto, describing him as a true icon of Lagos.
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, Ambode recalled how Agusto headed a 12-man economic advisory committee during his (Ambode’s) administration without asking for compensation after completing the work.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bode Agusto, an outstanding accountant, banker, mentor and a true icon of Lagos State. His legacy as an eminent citizen of Lagos State and a distinguished Nigerian who was unrepentantly committed to our nation’s economic development will forever be etched in the annals of our history.
“Bode Agusto was not only a financial maestro but also a dedicated public servant, who contributed significantly to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria. His contributions to the fields of accounting, finance and economics were quite remarkable and he played a pivotal role in shaping our nation’s economic policies. His track record in the private sector and public service earned him the national award of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
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“As Lagos State Governor in January 2017, I’d determined that Lagos State had reached a point where we needed to bring independent perspectives from the private sector to work with the government to jointly plan the future economy of Lagos State and re-engineer its business environment for global competitiveness and enhance opportunities for our people.
“I consequently set up the Lagos State Economic Advisory Committee, a 12-member private sector-dominated advisory body that comprised some of the best brains in our country and, in determining the chairmanship of the strategic committee, I turned to no other person than the late Bode Agusto and he graciously accepted unconditionally.
“The Committee served out their assignment meritoriously without demanding financial compensation for themselves. Such was the patriotism and selflessness that defined the man Bode Agusto.”
Ambode condoled with the governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Agusto’s family, loved ones professional colleagues and the entire people of Lagos State.
Agusto, who founded Nigeria’s first credit rating agency, Agusto & Co, died on Thursday at the age of 68.