The insurance firmament has lost another star with the death of Late Yinka Lijadu, former MD of Nicon Insurance and past President of the the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.
Even though late Lijadu had been unwell for a while, the announcement of his demise still came to many as a shock. No one that knew him would ever wish him dead, even though that is the ultimate bus stop of all mortals.
In the day when Nicon was the flagship in the insurance industry and a delightful place to work, Mr Lijadu held sway: he never allowed the office to intoxicate him. He was humble, considerate and professional. Under him, Nicon built several octopus of business institutions such as the Nicon Noga Hilton Hotel, Abuja which has now transfigured to Transcorp Hilton Hotel, as well as the defunct NAL Merchant Bank. among others. Inspite of this, no one ever mentioned that he helped himself in the cookies jar in spite of his vast privilege of office as it is the way Of many in his shoes. He was honest through and through. His life radiated contentment and simplicity. He never gave in to anger under any circumstance. I once asked him why and he told me the uselessness in being angry: “it makes your life short” he asserted.
Lijadu loved the Insurance fraternity with great passion. He personified an ideal insurance man;suave, urbane, straight forward and conservative. As Chairman of the defunct Image Committee of the Insurance Industry of which I was the Secretary, Mr Lijadu made everyone see the need to collectively build the much desired reputation for the industry and demonstrated this through his own life. He never suffered fools gladly! For me it was a great school being with him as a young man.
Late Lijadu was a mentor and fountain for many insurance professionals, some of who still hold commanding positions in the industry today. He simply believed In people and the need to unleash their innate potentials!
Well, when a good man like this depart, the world should little mourn him, but like Jesus Christ said, we should cry for ourselves. It is an opportunity to reflect on our own lives and to imagine what commentary men would give after our own ultimate exit. For Lijadu, the soul of the noble man has departed and the entire world has been destitute of his good works! Adieu pa Lijadu; you left the world better than you met it by contributing your own significant quota. May the Almighty God give those multitudes you left behind in the Family, the professions and the entire world the fortitude to bear your painful departure. Good night!
Tope Adaramola
Deputy Executive Secretary
NCRIB
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