An accomplished Lawyer, Investment Banker & Entrepreneur, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Olaotan OlaonipekunBalogunobtained his Law degree at the London School of Economics; and was called to the English Bar in 1959. He also received professional training in Legal Drafting in Whitehall and the City of London, with specialisation in financial legislation, instruments, and agreements.
After stints with the then Western Nigeria Ministry of Justice as Crown Counsel and later, Parliamentary Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice, he joined the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) where he served as Principal Counsel & Company Secretary for about a decade. From there, he was assigned to ICON Securities Limited as Director of Operations. Subsequently, he headed Icon Stockbrokers Limited and later became Executive Director in ICON Limited (Merchant Bankers).
In 1977, fortified by specialist training at The World Bank and International Finance Corporation in Washington DC and other exposures, his growing interest in investment finance led him to establishCity Securities Limited (Stockbrokers) and subsequently, First City Merchant Bankalmost single-handedly.
CSL Limited is the first institution in Nigeria to ever combine an issuing house and stockbroking business under one name; while FCMB was the first wholly-Nigerian-owned merchant bank.
Now known as First City Monument Bank, FCMB is today acknowledged as a premium banking brand. Other success stories in the FCMB Group include: CSL Stockbrokers, FCMB Capital Markets, First City Asset Management, FCMB Microfinance Bank, FCMB UK, FCMB Pensions and FCMB Trustees.
Beyond the FCMB Group, he has served on the Councils of the Nigerian Stock Exchangeand a number of multi-national Chambers of Commerce for several years.
The Founder of Otunba Tunwase Foundation, Otunba Subomi Balogun is a philanthropist of note. Among other generous gestures, he funded the construction of a National Pediatric Centre in Ijebu-Ode, which he donated to University College Hospital, Ibadan. He also sponsors several other worthy causes, including a fully-equipped 40-bed Children’s Centre in Ijebu-Ode.
Recognitions have flowed for this gentleman of mission. Included here are: Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria, Distinguished Leadership Award of the American Biographical Institute, Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians, Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland,Olori Omo-Oba, Olori Ebi of the Arojojoye Ruling House in Ijebu Ode, and Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) of the University of Ibadan.
He is happily married with children to Olori Abimbola Adetutu Balogun.
Ladies & Gentlemen, we respectfully invite Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun to receive the Hallmarks of Labour Role Model Award for Excellence In Entrepreneurship And Corporate Governance.
Congratulations, Sir!