December 15, (THEWILL) – Friends, close associates, family members, professional colleagues, captains of industries and several institutions are planning something spectacular in memory of the late socialite and investment banker, Albert Egbaroghene Okumagba.
They want to honour him even in death in a spectacular way by throwing a posthumous 60th birthday party on December 18th.
The party is meant to recognise and celebrate Okumagba’s personal growth and commitment to achieving excellence in all endeavours from his time as a student at the Federal Government College, Warri; King’s College, Lagos; University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Lagos Business School; the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers etc.
Born on the 4th of April 1964, the Delta State born financial expert died on the 19th of November 2020 in Abuja. But the lights he sparked in the lives of others while alive have obviously neither dimmed nor waned.
The guest list boasts of an impressive line-up of dignitaries like Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who will deliver the keynote address, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, who will lead the opening prayers, among several others.
The highpoint of the celebrations themed: ‘Unveiling a Legacy of confidence,’ will be the unveiling of a book titled ‘Fine Wine’, authored by Uri Ngozichukwuka. The book aptly captures Okumagba’s essence.
Egba, as he was fondly called by close acquaintances, was the Managing Director of BGL Group, a leading investment banking, and financial services group. Prior to that, he was manager and head of mergers and acquisitions at Centre-Point Bank Plc, now Unity Bank Plc. Okumagba served as President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, the professional umbrella body for securities dealers in Nigeria. During his lifetime, Okumagba’s motivational skills were uncharacteristic of the average Nigerian manager, while his avuncular attitude towards his staff and his incentive schemes brought out the best in his team.
Under his watch as the group managing director, BGL Group, he midwifed the merger of Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 2005 ahead of the banking consolidation period.
His legacy is remembered with love and admiration by friends, family, and colleagues. He is described by all and sundry as a confident and courageous character, especially around the financial management space.
It wasn’t all rosy during his lifetime as he incurred the wrath of some financial bodies with some of his actions. He was suspended from operations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 20, 2015, when the commission found BGL Group guilty of complaints made by various investors. The SEC later slammed a life ban on him.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
